The IPL 2021 Auction kick-started on a pretty somber note as none of the earlier players could manage a deal. Karun Nair, Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Hanuma Vihari all ended up with zero takers. The interest began when a certain Steve Smith entered the auction.
Steve Smith goes to Delhi Capitals:
Steve Smith, who has been released by Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2021, had set his base price to INR 2 crores. He was the first cricketer to attract attention in IPL 2021 auction. Royal Challengers Bangalore bid for Smith at his base price and looked all set to acquire Smith.
Punjab Kings looked interested but didn’t commit and were out of the race even before the bidding began. Just when everyone felt that Smith was headed to RCB, Delhi Capitals emerged from nowhere to sign Steve Smith for INR 2.20 crores. RCB withdrew from the race and DC emerged winners in the first battle. Smith can be part of the leadership group in Delhi.
The war for Glenn Maxwell:
Glenn Maxwell was undoubtedly going to be the toast of IPL 2021 auctions. Even though he didn’t have a great IPL 2020 franchisees were still interested in him. Maxwell had set his base price to INR 2 crores while his fees last year with Kings XI Punjab was INR 10.75 crores. Kolkata Knight Riders were the first to bid for Maxwell at INR 2 crores and Rajasthan Royals entered the race at INR 2.20 crores.
It became a three horsed race with RCB entering the bidding war at 3.20 crores. While it seemed as if KKR and RCB were the only ones interested in Maxwell then, Chennai Super Kings entered the race at INR 4.60 crores. From thereon it was an outright battle between CSK and RCB with each of them outbidding the other. RCB made the final push at INR 14.25 crores and CSK relented by pulling out of the race. This means Glenn Maxwell will represent the Bangalore franchise in IPL 2021. He will be forming a dazzling trio with Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
Shakib goes to Kolkata:
Shakib Al Hasan had set his base price to INR 2 crores. KKR were the first ones to jump for Hasan while Punjab Kings came in at INR 2.220 crores. It was a pretty much two way battle between the two franchisees. KKR emerged the winner in this battle as they managed to bag Shakib Al Hasan for INR 3.20 crores.
The battle for Moeen Ali:
Moeen Ali was always going to fetch a good price in the IPL 2021 auctions. His all-round abilities is well suited to the T20 game. The Punjab and Chennai franchise engaged in a two way battle for Moeen Ali. Both these teams need a spinning allrounder in their setup. Hence it didn’t come as a surprise that they went all out for Ali. The CSK franchise emerged victorious in this battle and managed to bag Moeen Ali for INR 7 crores.
The war cry has begun, new combinations have set. We can’t wait for the IPL 2021 to begin.
