The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 Auction got over in an enthralling fashion in Jaipur earlier this week. 351 players had gone under the hammer. 70 slots were available across 8 teams and 60 got filled in the event on Tuesday. The IPL 2019 Auction saw some stunning buys and also some that could be questioned.
IPL 2018’s most expensive Indian, Jaydev Unadkat, became the joint-most expensive buy this time around. He along with Varun Chakravarthy bagged Rs 8.40 crore each. England youngster Sam Curran ended up as the costliest overseas player.
The IPL 2019 Auction was a huge success for the uncapped Indian players. Many West Indian players also found a happy ride as teams went for talent and promise. Â The IPL 2019 season starts on March 23.
Here’s the best and worst buys of IPL 2019 Auction.
Best buys –
Shimron Hetmyer (RCB)
The West Indies batsman has earned a solid reputation as one of the finest hitters of the cricket ball. He was an instant hit in the ODI series against India this year. The player can hit the big shots and the sub-continent pitches suits his style.
He has been the most consistent West Indian player in Test cricket in recent times. The player showed enough character in India in the ODIs where he smashed a century and a knock of 94. In the Tests against Bangladesh, WI might have lost, but Hetmyer drew praise for his brilliance.
The promising batsman will be adding gloss to RCB’s middle order. They needed someone to clam the ship in the middle overs and get those lusty blows when needed. Hetmyer promises both.
Why is he a strong buy?
His strike-rate of 142.81 in T20s show that he is quite the act. A ton and two fifties make him the player to root for. He is young and plays with a lot of freedom.
Sam Curran (KXIP)
The English all-rounder was superb with both bat and ball against India in the Test series earlier this year. He played a crucial role in helping England win the Tests and thrived in pivotal situations. He will add composure to the KXIP side and bring the much needed all-round attribute.
Curran will have an importance in the squad. He isn’t expected to leave the season midway for the World Cup as England have positions covered. Curran is expected to battle for a spot with Australian Andrew Tye. Once Tye leaves for WC preparations, Curran is expected to take centerstage.
He can be the one to provide the finishing touch when needed at the death. Also he has an excellent range of variations and can bowl the toe-crushers.
Why is he a strong buy?
478 runs and 42 wickets in T20s make him quite the all-rounder. At just 20 years of age, Curran could be the perfect future investment for KXIP.
Shivam Dube (RCB)
The uncapped Maharastra all-rounder was expected to draw a solid bid in the auction. And that proved to be the story. Dube has been in amazing form in the Ranji Trophy and has scored a lot of runs, besides chipping in with wickets.
His powerful hitting skills is backed by gentle medium pace. A player that will add a lot to the RCB middle order. RCB needed a strong hand in the middle overs that eluded them in IPL 2018. But this time, they have sorted the position.
Dube has hit five sixes in an over twice already in domestic cricket. He is strong and powerful. Expect him to don Indian colours sometime soon.
Why is he a strong buy?
A strike-rate of 147.65 is a strong feature to have in T20s and Dube has thrived in his role so far. He has consistently picked wickets as well and RCB could use him on a constant basis.
Worst buys –
Yuvraj Singh (MI)
Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh had a dismal 2018 IPL campaign and his stocks in the league has come down severely low. From once being the marquee signing to now finding no takers for most part of the auction sees his fall.
He is 37 years of age and time is catching up with him. He slowed down things last season for KXIP. They couldn’t get a move on. Just 65 runs from 8 matches showed his struggles. Mumbai Indians coming in for him late in the day was a respite for the player.
With the form he has been having, it looks like a bad deal for Mumbai. It looked like a desperate flash in the pan purchase.
Why is he a dismal buy?
Yuvraj’s reflexes have eluded him. He is slow on the field and his reaction time has gone down. A big risk signing, Yuvraj could end up stalling MI’s thin middle order options.
Wriddhiman Saha (SRH)
Another player, who has past his prime. Saha is unlikely to feature again for India in Tests. He suffered some bad form with the bat last season and was inconsistent. He is injury-prone and has spent most time in the sidelines.
SRH will be using him when Jonny Bairstow doesn’t play. And one wonders whether he has the character to fit in the middle order. He failed with the bat upfront last season and the experiment failed.
SRH could struggle with Saha in the top or middle order in the latter stages post Bairstow’s exit for WC preparations. Saha is a fine keeper, but he doesn’t bear the attributes needed in T20 with the bat.
Why is he a dismal buy?
He might often slow down things and his eye to do something flashy could hurt SRH. Also his form is a big question mark.
Ishant Sharma (DC)
Delhi Capitals bought Ishant Sharma in quite a surprising deal of the day. Ishant has not played limited-overs cricket for India for a long time and has also been absent from the IPL of late. So just banking on his Test form, the deal could actually get DC into a spot of bother.
T20 cricket is different pedigree and Ishant hasn’t lived up to expectations in limited-overs cricket. No doubt he is a strong Test bowler, but T20s will challenge him.
Can he set the tone upfront? Will he be used at the death? Ishant is accurate with his line and length, but he lacks the variations needed in T20s. Something that a Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah possesses.
Why is he a dismal buy?
He is the only senior figure among Indian pacers in the DC line-up. He can go for runs and if the issue arises, then DC doesn’t have the option breathing safely with just young inexperienced Indian pacers in the mix.