(Cricket News) While the IPL auction dazzled with exorbitant price tags and marquee names, actual cricketing jewels frequently emerged from the shadows, bought for a fraction of their future value; these astute acquisitions, fashioned by astute franchises and astute scouts, are the foundation of championship-winning teams.
Let us get away from the sparkle of the bidding war and look at the wisest and most cost-effective purchases in the IPL 2024 auction. The IPL 2024 auction concluded on December 19 in Dubai with much fanfare and history. The highlight of the auction was two Australian fast bowlers, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who broke the Rs 20-crore barrier in auction history.
5. Travis Head
Travis Head, who was named Player of the Match in both Australia’s World Cup 2023 semi-final and final, is a versatile player who can bat anywhere in the batting order and bowl some mean off-spin and keep wickets. He was regarded as one of the most attractive buys in the IPL 2024, and despite a healthy bidding war, SRH managed to acquire Head without breaking the INR 10-crore barrier for the left-handed batter.
Therefore, how could Head be a steal deal for the franchise in the IPL 2024 auction? Given that he was just named Australia’s Test co-vice-captain and that he plays white-ball cricket as well, he is also a possible captaincy candidate for the Sunrisers.
4. Rachin Ravindra
Rachin Ravindra surprised everyone by scoring over 578 runs with three centuries at the 2023 ODI World Cup. He also made useful contributions with the ball. Many people anticipated that Ravindra would be among the most expensive purchases in the IPL 2024 auction, but he wisely set his base price low to attract a buyer and gain IPL experience. Ravindra joins the Chennai Super Kings’ array of Kiwi cricketers for a mere INR 1.80 crores, indicating that CSK is shedding their father’s army tag and preparing for life after Moeen Ali and others.
3. Azmatullah Omarzai
In the recent ODI World Cup 2023, the Afghanistan all-rounder left an impression on everyone with his batting and bowling abilities. At his base price of INR 50 lakh, Azmatullah Omarzai proved to be a steal for the Gujarat Titans.
Hardik Pandya’s decision to return to MI prior to the IPL 2024 edition left a clear mark on the Titans’ first championship run, with his powerful batting, astute bowling, and charismatic leadership greatly contributing to their victory. Although replacing Pandya was never going to be simple, Omarzai offers a distinct and intriguing prospect.
2. Gerald Coetzee
Gerald Coetzee, a fast bowler from South Africa, was acquired by the Mumbai Indians for a mere INR 5 crores. While many had anticipated that the Proteas’ firebrand pacer would force the franchises to break the bank, MI managed to acquire him for a very reasonable price.
Proteas relies on sheer pace, deceptive variations, and his ability to induce uncomfortable bounce and skid off the pitch, making him a unique threat to wickets among MI’s bowlers. He has expressed excitement about bowling alongside MI’s Jasprit Bumrah, a combination that will be difficult for opponents to handle.
1. Wanindu Hasaranga
Wanindu Hasaranga, one of the best and most efficient spinners in white-ball cricket today, was once acquired by RCB for over INR 10 crores. However, due to injuries and availability issues, RCB had to release him prior to the IPL 2024 auction. Upon his arrival, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) acquired Hasaranga for his base price of 1.5 crores during the auction.
Despite Hasaranga’s injury-plagued absence for the majority of 2023, his arrival strengthened SRH’s spin department, which was lacking with Washington Sundar leading the team. With Sundar, SRH now has a dependable wicket-taker and match-winner who can deceive batters with his variations.
See more: KL Rahul and Kagiso Rabada Shine on Day 1: Match Recap
