New Zealand pace bowler Trent Boult's focus is back squarely on Wednesday's second one-day international against South Africa despite being snapped up for a sizeable sum at the Indian Premier League auction.
Boult was the subject of an early bidding war at Monday's auction for the Twenty20 competition, eventually being secured by the Kolkata Knight Riders for $970,000.
It was the fourth-highest price for any player at the auction in Bangalore and the second-most paid for a Kiwi in the history of the IPL.
The most for a New Zealander was $1.46 million for Brendon McCullum in 2015 from his current team, the Gujarat Lions.
"It was pretty surreal, to be honest," Boult said on Tuesday.
"To see the name come through with a figure like that next to it is pretty unbelievable.
"It's a huge honour in a way, but obviously my focus is still concentrated on what's out there tomorrow."
The Black Caps are looking to bounce back from a narrow four-wicket loss to South Africa in a rain-affected first match in Hamilton on Sunday.
Boult says he's looking at his signing as a chance to expand his skill set.
"I'm looking forward to rubbing shoulders with a few more international players, getting the chance to learn and obviously trying to grow my game in those sub continent conditions."
Former Black Caps skipper McCullum is one of five New Zealanders who already held rolled-over IPL contracts, along with current national captain Kane Williamson (Sunrisers), Tim Southee and Mitchell McClenaghan (Mumbai) and Adam Milne (Bangalore).
They will be joined by 27-year-old left-armer Boult, Corey Anderson, Matt Henry and Martin Guptill and pace bowler Lockie Ferguson
The 10th edition of the IPL runs from April 5 to May 21.
