TAUNTON-born Jos Buttler will play for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League after being bought for £385,000.

The former Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman, who has decided to play in the tournament after losing his Test spot to Jonny Bairstow, was the subject of a bidding war between Mumbai and Kolkata Knight Riders in Saturday's auction in Bangalore.

The reigning champions stumped up the cash, meaning Buttler's first foray into the IPL will be based at the Wankhede Stadium.

The Mumbai Indians' Twitter feed said: "Jos Buttler is under the hammer and we are in it. Welcome to our fortress Wankhede Stadium @josbuttler."

Buttler was in action in the middle on Saturday too, in England's second one-day international against South Africa at Port Elizabeth.

He has scored back-to-back ODI hundreds, the latest coming off 73 balls in the series opener in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.

Buttler will be joined at the IPL in April and May by fellow England batsman Sam Billings, who was picked up for £30,000 by Delhi Daredevils.

England seamer Chris Jordan, like Essex's new limited-overs captain Ravi Bopara, failed to attract a bid.

England's white-ball captain Eoin Morgan will be travelling to India, though, because he was already under contract at Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Former England international Kevin Pietersen was the first player sold as Rising Pune Supergiants paid £355,000 for his services.

The travelling Twenty20 specialist joins the newly-formed side, returning for his fifth IPL season in all.

Australia's Shane Watson attracted the highest bid as Royal Challengers Bangalore paid more than £950,000 for him.