Friday 26 / April / 2024
An open IPL Auction which lived up to it's hype with too many twist and turns. 10 players were sold for more than 10 crores in the first time in the history of IPL.
With ten teams trying to build their teams from almost scratch in this year’s auction as compared to eight in every auction, it was always going to be tough to get all the players the franchises wanted to buy.
Mumbai Indians bounced everyone out by picking Jofra Archer and paying a whopping 8 crores even though he won't be fit to play for this year's IPL.
On the first day of the auction, Mumbai Indians had made the big buy in Ishan Kishan by investing 15 Crores and nothing much and I was wondering why has Mumbai India’s been so quite this year. Suddenly when Jofra Archer name went in the auction, they went berserk and won the bid. Their owner Aakash Ambani was clear that they invested in Jofra keeping in mind the future and when he is fit come the next year, the pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer would be a lethal bowling pair. They also went in heavy in buying Singapore born Tim David for 8 crores who is a dasher and needs to be seen how he turns out it to be playing the IPL.
They also got Tymal Mills , Riley Meredith and Daniel Sam's along with Jaydev Unadkat to make their bowling stronger in the pace department for this year. It needs to be seen the decision to invest in a player who is injury prone will be fit and most importantly available in next year's IPL and whether the heavy bouncer they put out today makes a impact.
Chennai Super Kings bought Devon Conway of Newzealand to replace Faf du Plesis who can also keep. They also went in for Sri Lankan mystery spinner Mahesh Theeksana and should be a surprise package and effective as he is yet to be decoded by any team. They also added the pace of Adam Milne to replace Josh Hazelwood and have their team sorted out to put in the park.
Delhi Capitals added another power hitter batsman in Romvell Powell who could be the next Andre Russell. They also bought India's under 19 captain Yash Dull and rewarded him for India’s recent success in the World Cup. With the addition of Khaleel Ahmed as left arm pacer, Delhi Capitals to me looks the best side on paper.
Punjab Kings went heavy in buying England’s Liam Livingston on the second day and bought him for 11.5 crores making him the most expensively foreign player. He is not only a dasher but also a a very good leg break bowler and a gun fielder in the field. For the record he had left last year's IPL complaining of bubble fatigue but I am sure this years price might remove all that fatigue. Punjab Kings also added Odean Smith of West Indies who is a handy all-rounder and hits the ball a long way. Punjab Kings have always struggled to have a sound captain and It would be interesting to see whom they make their captain but Anil Kumble did give a hint while speaking to the host broadcasters that Shikhar Dhawan might be the one to lead the Punjab Kings this time around.
Kolkata Knight Riders gave a lifeline to Ajinkya Rahane by buying him. They also got dangerous and inform opener Alex Hales and wicket keeper batsman Sam Billings as they were the only team left without a keeper batsman but on paper their batting looks thin even though they have a good bowling attack.
Rajasthan Royals seemed to struggle on the second day and were clueless and the frustration could be seen on their head coach Kumar Sangakkara as they were not able to pick the players of their choice. On paper they look weak both in batting and bowling and Sanju Samson the skippers work will be cut out when the IPL begins.
Similarly Sunrises Hyderabad look very thin side on paper both on experience and power hitting and if Kane Williamson does not recover from his injury, they will be short on batting . They don’t have any big names barring Nicolas Pooran and his form will be key for their success in the IPL.
Royal Challenges Bangalore also have batting headaches in the middle order, apart from Virat Kohli , Faf du Plesis, Glenn Maxwell and Glen Maxwell, they don't have much experience and will be hoping Dinesh Karthik whom they picked will do the finishing job in the batting. They also have to select their captain since their captain Virat Kohli has stepped down and needs to be seen if they go for Faf du Plesis or Dinesh Karthik as their skipper.
The new team Lucknow Super Giants have built a solid side but the first year of an IPL is always tough for a new franchise and it needs to be seen how KL Rahul and Andy Flower Marshall their players which has big names like Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Mark Wood, Manish Pandey and Evin Lewis.
The 10th team Gujarat Titans also will be under serious trial in the first year and it needs to be seen how Hardik Pandya and get the best out of his team which has the magician Rashid Khan, Jason Roy and David Miller in their team.
The IPL will be played mostly at three Venues which be Mumbai’s Wankheade Stadium, Braboune Stadium and Pune and only time will tell which team has picked the right side but my gut feeling says Delhi Capitals have all the bases covered and will be the side to look out this year.
