Surprises In IPL Auctions: It was an eventful mini auction as multiple records were broken. The IPL 2023 mini-auction wasn’t devoid of excitement. Within the first half hour, the league had the three highest-paid players in the auction. The demand and supply nature of the auction resulted in top players getting a premium price.
Most of the action in the auction was on expected lines but there were a few surprises that cropped up. These surprising moves could eventually decide the fate of the franchises in the upcoming season.
We look at a few such surprises In IPL Auctions 2023:
#3 SRH buying Harry Brook for INR 13.25 crores
The Sunrisers Hyderabad had the biggest salary purse heading into the mini-auction. It was expected that they would be going all out for the premium all-rounders. As they clearly lacked someone who could do that role at number 6/7 for them last season. The likes of Sam Curran, Ben Stokes, and Cameroon Green could have provided that option. But SRH strangely bid aggressively for Harry Brook.
There is no denying the talent that Brook is but it is one area that is already SRH’s strength. They have the likes of Aiden Markram and Glenn Philipps to shoulder the middle order. SRH later couldn’t add any quality all-rounder to their setup. Will this move prove to be costly for them? Only time will tell!
#2 Mumbai replicating their mega auction mistake
The Mumbai Indians went hard for Sam Curran until a certain point. They clearly wanted to fill the missing shoes of Kieron Pollard. Once they couldn’t get hold of Curran they switched their focus to Cameroon Green. The insanely talented yet unexposed to IPL, Green attracted several bidders. It was MI though who prevailed at the last. They dished out an astounding INR 17.50 crores to Green who hasn’t yet played a single IPL game.
This splurge resulted in MI not having sufficient funds for them to buy any other top player. Their playing XI already has 9 players who are sure to feature next season. But it this their bowling department that again appears thin. MI added someone like Piyush Chawla but it seemed a move tad little and a tad too late.
#1 Chennai stuck to its template yet found answers
The Chennai Super Kings were keen to rope in Mayank Agarwal. They had to bring in someone who could replace Robin Uthappa in the playing XI. Hence their keenness to bid for Agarwal made complete sense. But his high price cut them off the race abruptly. CSK soon bought Ajinkya Rahane at his base price of INR 50 lacs. They also bought U-19 star, Shaik Rasheed for INR 20 lacs. CSK can look to use either of them at the number 3 spot or look at someone completely new.
It was this move of CSK that caught the other franchises off-guard. CSK it appeared wasn’t really part of the bidding war initially. They came into the reckoning when the stakes were at their highest. CSK pocketed Stokes for INR 16.25 crores. His acquisition seems a transition plan in the style and the leadership of the franchise.
The change in the guard?
Stokes is already seen as a potential captain of CSK in IPL 2024. CSK doesn’t normally stay active for long in the auctions but today was unlike any other. It was this approach that makes them a favourite all over again! CSK showed why they are masters of redefining their own set template. It was good fun to watch them in the auctions. With Stokes in the mix, the fun is sure to get doubled on-field too.
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