The IPL
auctions, which was originally supposed to be a subdued one considering the
mega version of the same would take place next year still managed to present
some interesting buys and a lot of money being spent as almost all teams tried
their best to fine-tune the edges whilst gearing up for the upcoming edition.
The event
commenced from 3:30 PM IST in Kolkata and Chris Lynn was the first player to go
under the hammer. Mumbai Indians acquired his services straightaway at his base
price and going ahead in this piece; we look at some other interesting from the
auction:
Some of the best buys in the auction:
1: Tom Banton:
Banton could be a key player for KKR in IPL 2020.Image: Getty
Tom Banton
was the talk of the town ahead of the ongoing auctions as the Englishman had
sparkled in the Vitality T20 Blast and had made his way to the English national
team accordingly too. He had scored 549 runs in that tournament and had added
another 454 runs in Somerset’s victorious One-Day cup campaign.
He is an
exquisite stroke-player who has an array of shots at his disposal is extremely
comfortable against the pacers and can extract the maximum advantage of the
field restriction overs. KKR managed to get hold of the 20-year-old at merely
for his base price at one crore, which appears to be an absolute steal for a
player who can potentially steal away the game from the opposition through his
thoroughly innovative and entertaining style of play.
2: James Neesham:
James
Neesham is someone whose stocks have risen drastically ever since his
impressive World Cup campaign and obviously his Twitter activities! But
honestly, Neesham has developed to become a player who could turn out to be an
absolute game-changer with his prowess over the dual skills and the sheer
tendency to carve out an impact through his performances.
Punjab
needed a reliable man to strengthen their middle-order, and accordingly Neesham
could be someone who plays at number five/six, and then bowls up his quota of
four overs as the fifth bowler. With the dimensions of the ground at Punjab
being vast, Neesham could bowl a lot of his variations and extract benefits
through the same. Moreover, despite KXIP having an insane budget up their
sleeves ahead of the auctions, they were successful in acquiring Neesham’s
services for merely 50 lakhs.
3: Sam Curran:
Curran could turn out to a real asset for CSK in the IPL. Image: Getty
CSK were idly,
patiently biding their time during the course of the auctions until Sam
Curran’s name appeared and they went all out to ensure that they bagged the
all-rounder. There are many interesting facets that Curran presents and one of
them is being a pace-bowling all-rounder, of which already there is a dearth.
Curran has some dimensions to his bowling that turn out to be extremely
effective in slow, sluggish tracks and Chepauk is bound to put forward a
similar sort of track.
Dwayne
Bravo’s effects have dwindled in recent times and though CSK most possibly
would want to stick around with the veteran, Curran provides an able backup or
a supplementary choice as well considering he has shown in the past that he is
capable of more than what he is credited for with the willow. At 5.5 crores, he
is worth quite a lot and CSK has rightly included the 21-year-old in their
roster.
Purchases that sprung a surprise:
1: Piyush Chawla:
Piyush Chawla went to CSK in a real big-money move. Image: BCCI
Well, with
CSK, nothing comes as a surprise. They are used to unconventional choices and
very low-key ones too and yet always come up with possibly the most efficient
XI in the league. Chawla is apparently the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the
history of the league with 150 scalps to his name but still is looked down upon
by the masses.
For 6.5
crores, surely he is an exorbitant buy but CSK is a side that has functioned as
MS Dhoni’s brainchild over the years. What Dhoni asks for, they deliver; in
return, he guarantees a streak of enviable success that others could only
aspire for. In a spinning track where turn would be on offer in abundance and
with the calm, experienced head of Chawla along with with MS behind the stumps; this
move could turn out to be a commendable one eventually!
2: Pat Cummins:
Regarding
Pat Cummins, it should be stated that it isn’t entirely surprising that teams
went all out for him but it should be noted that for 15.5 crores, is he really
capable enough to pay back the trust garnered upon him by the KKR? In the
absence of Mitchell Starc, Cummins was bound to be someone who would invoke a
bidding war but to cross the two million mark by a margin for a player who
isn’t necessarily a quintessential T20 pacer is astounding.
Surely, Cummins is amongst the best bowlers in the world cricket in the longest format of the game. However, his bowling style is such that he will dish out half-volleys, the hard length deliveries that could approach the batsman at an even pace due to the pace of the track at the Eden Gardens; making it rather convenient for the batsmen to tackle the threat that he poses. Neither does he possess a pinpoint Yorker, nor does he use the slower balls to good effect. Is it just the name that KKR went for, did they wish to inflate the price further and ended up with Cummins or they really had him in the plans? It doesn’t matter now; unless the man pulls out of the tournament due to heavy international workload!
One X-Factor Pick:
1: Chris Jordan:
Chris Jordan could be a key asset for KXIP in the IPL.Image: Cricinfo
Chris Jordan
has showcased his complete potential prominently in recent times; especially in
the shortest format of the game. Apparently, after his successful showing in
England’s T20I in New Zealand some time ago, Jordan was supposed to be one of
the top picks in the IPL auctions.
However, his
name slipped under the radar as the time progressed but surely his skills and
abilities haven’t waned as one can expect him to cause trouble to the
adversaries with his wide range of deliveries and the potent skillset
required for T20s. He can deliver the Yorkers quite well, has a hard-length
delivery up his sleeves, can slow down the pace of the ball quite well too and
uses the long handle to an excellent effect if the opportunity arises late onto
the game. he is definitely a brilliant pick for the KXIP who built their squad
almost from the scratch this time around.