The festival of Indian Cricket has steadily and successfully kept feat on its 14th year but the most surprising moments appear on that auction table and the 2021 season hadn’t faced the unfamiliar circumstances on 18th February in a tiring 5-odd hours of biding. “Dreams do come true” is the line that describes the high intensity of the afternoon.
There had been so much talk about the
Mega auction and the inclusion of two new franchises but the uninvited virus
that almost ruined last year’s IPL makes sure that there will be at least one
year wait of that. So, 292 players were selected to go under the hammer
among 1092-registered players. There were few big names that were expected
to earn some big prizes, some young bloods always eye on the table definitely
for opportunity and also the huge prize tag. But one thing that you surely
would expect is “Giving Surprise”.
The first bag opens and 4th
player of the day, Steve Smith, who are released by Rajasthan Royals,
moved to new franchise Delhi Capitals in 2.20cr. Still I haven’t
understood where Delhi will fit him because last season, they couldn’t go with
Rahane. In the next set of all-rounders, The Big Show Glen Maxwell just
like every year enjoyed a whooping 14.25cr by RCB after having a heavy
bidding fight against rivals Chennai Super Kings. The yellow army do
need a spinning all-rounder but the money was too much for them. Shakib went
to his former team KKR in just 3.20cr, which did raise some eyebrows but
his unavailability could be a factor in the business end. Although the
Bangladeshi all-rounder has made himself available for the whole IPL. At last CSK
brought Moen Ali in 7cr.
After some nice war with Mumbai and newly
named Punjab Kings, Rajasthan sign up Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube in
4.40cr. But the best moment came when the same franchise made Cris
Morris the Most Expensive Foreigner(16.75cr) & Highest paid player in the
auction. Dawid Malan will taste the first bite in the best league of the
world in his base price of 150L in the color of Punjab Kings. Aussies pacer, Jhye
Richardson, after a bright BBL-season also went to Punjab in 14cr after
surviving a fight with Bangalore and Delhi. Mumbai included Milne and NCN.
Umesh Yadav’s 1cr deal also was surprising because some teams do need pacers
but they didn’t show any interest on him.
Veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla will play for Mumbai in 2.40cr. As I said before, the auction table does make the dreams true and Shakaria (1.20cr to RR), batsman Shahrukh Khan (5.25cr. to Punjab), Binod (20L to Delhi), Aarora (20L to Punjab), Charak (20L to Mumbai), V. Iyer (20L to KKR) were some of the future stars of the category. Cheteshwar Pujara, the star of India’s test glory, gained a team after 6yr gap when Chennai based franchise earned him in his base price of 50L and that also receive some nice clapping from all the candidates of the room to show respect to the man. His deal will keep him away from the next county season which could be a handful practice before the big English Summer.
Krishnappa Gowtham acquired 9.25cr by the yellow army to become highest paid uncapped Indian beating Krunal Pandya(8.80cr). “At this prices, K Gowtham should be playing for India.” Stated Harsha Bhogle in a conversation with Cricbuzz. After getting Maxwell at a high price, RCB obtained Kiwi Pacer Kyle Jamieson for 15cr whereas Punjab won the battle for Meredith for 8cr. Teams soon went into the accelerate zone where they will give some shortish choice players and bid for them. Sunrisers who haven’t made participated in the auction actively connected Kedhar Jadhav and Mujeeb in their base price. The Knights added Karun Nair and Harbhajan, who had fond memories of Eden Gardens to strengthen their team.
When Mumbai finished the auction picking Sachin son Arjun Tendulkar; there were so much talk going on in the social media; although the left armer has had some formidable success and quality to join the team. The half action ends for now but the main menu is still waiting. The Indian Premier League might kick off on 9th or 10th April although the venues are still not confirmed. “No clarity as of now about venues” said the SRH mentor VVS Laxman. There is a possibility that it could take place in three stadiums in Mumbai and Pune. Let us comment that which team looks the strongest and weakest on paper?
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