Melbourne, Feb 19 As the countdown begins for the IPL players' auction, retiring Adam Gilchrist is tipped to be Australia's highest paid cricketer in the tournament with the Kolkata and Mohali teams showing keen interest to have the wicketkeeper-batsman in their ranks.

Bidding for players for all eight franchisee will be held tomorrow in Mumbai.

Local media claims Gilchrist could well earn nearly one million Australian dollars in the six-week tournament.

However, IPL's Australia agent Neil Maxwell said he was not sure if Gilchrist would earn one million dollars but confirmed he will have his pockets full with money.

"We don't know. (Gilchrist's) very well-placed. I think he will earn considerable money. I don't think it will be quite a million, may be in Australian dollars he will go close," Maxwell said.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who will lead the Kolkata side, has expressed his desire to have Gilchrist in his team.

"He is definitely a guy we will look for. There are so many good players, and it also depends on the balance of the team," Ganguly was quoted as saying in 'The Age' newspaper today.

The co-owner of the Kolkata team, filmstar Shah Rukh Khan, is also known to be keen on Gilchrist. (Agencies)