IPL Auction 2024: From Rachin Ravindra to Wanindu Hasaranga - Top 5 steal deals for franchises. Top five bargain buys in IPL 2024 Auction.
With a lot of buzz and excitement, the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) mini auction saw all 10 teams put attention on international and domestic players to strengthen their squad ahead of the 17th edition of the tournament. While high-profile buys grabbed the spotlight of the franchises, there were several steal buys. These are young and talented players who went for a much lower price than the previous auction. These buys could have an impact on the upcoming edition of the league.
Top five steal buys in the IPL 2024 Auction
Gerald Coetzee- INR 5 crore to Mumbai Indians
The Mumbai Indians (MI) team management and the fans were delighted to sign a new young South Africa speedster, Gerald Coetzee at a price of just INR 5 crore. Throughout the whole bidding process, Mumbai was keen to get him on their side. First, they went past Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the bidding war at INR 3.40 crore, before winning the bid against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Coetzee was the third-highest wicket-taker in SA20 in 2022-’23, with 17 scalps in nine innings at an average of 13.52 and an economy of 8.07. He can bowl with extra pace and aggression, especially in the middle overs to dry up the run-flow using his special off-the-deck deliveries. Even in the recently finished ODI World Cup 2023, he was the highest wicket-taker for SA, with 20 wickets in eight innings. Hence, his partnership in bowling with Jasprit Bumrah will be vital for Mumbai in IPL 2024.
Rachin Ravindra- INR 1.80 crore to Chennai Super Kings
There was a meritorious excitement when the name of Rachin Ravindra came into the auction. After all, the young New Zealand batter had a fabulous ODI WC 2023 in India, being the fourth-highest run-getter of the competition with 578 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 106.44.
There were indications that CSK might go after him, as a backup option for Moeen Ali. They didn’t waste a single second to lift the paddle. First, they went past Delhi Capitals’ INR 95 lakh bid, before winning the left-handed Kiwi all-rounder at INR 1.80 crore in a bidding war with Punjab Kings. Ravindra would be a valuable option for Chennai, with his batting in the top order, besides giving them a few overs of spin if required, especially when playing in Chennai.
Read More: IPL 2024 Auction: Starc, Cummins, Mitchell, Harshal top bids; MI, RR, SRH look settled on paper
Harry Brook- INR 4 crore to Delhi Capitals
Even though Harry Brook didn’t have a great season last year with Sunrisers Hyderabad, the young aggressive batter from England could easily go for a big purse. But Delhi Capitals made a cheap deal to get him at just INR 4 crore INR, winning their bidding war against Rajasthan Royals.
Brook struggled in IPL 2023, with 190 runs in 11 innings at an average of just 21.11 and a strike rate of 123.8. But his overall T20 record has been excellent as he has nailed 2338 runs in 90 innings at a strike rate of 151.4. Brook is young and his fearless approach of batting will give Delhi the cushion of scoring at a higher rate in the middle orders. Last time, SRH bought him for INR 13.25 crore. Considerably, Delhi surely made it a steal deal for Brook.
Wanindu Hasaranga- INR 1.5 crore to Sunrisers Hyderabad
There were a few teams who were looking for a perfect leg-spinner in the auction, but Sunrisers Hyderabad made a steal deal, signing Wanindu Hasaranga for the base price of INR 1.50 crore. Unless there is any injury scare, it’s the best deal one could think of.
Hasaranga has all the abilities to fox the batters on any surface in the shortest format of the game, besides giving his team a solid option with the bat at number 7-8. In 26 IPL innings for RCB from 2021 to 2023, Hasaranga has notched up 35 wickets at an economy of 8.13. When it comes to the international circuit, the Sri Lanka bowler has 91 T20I wickets in 56 innings at an economy of 6.91.
Undoubtedly, he has struggled a bit with injuries recently and also missed the ODI WC 2023. But for SRH to sign him at base price, especially after his previous deal of INR 10.75 crore, makes it a steal deal.
Chetan Sakariya- INR 50 Lakh to Kolkata Knight Riders
The Kolkata Knight Riders were in the news, especially with their deal for Mitchell Starc worth INR 24.75 crore. But towards the end of the auction, they got a steal buy in the form of Chetan Sakariya for the base price of just INR 50 lakh.
There were not many India left-arm pacers available in the auction, who could swing the ball both ways, besides having a good variation at the death. Sakariya didn’t get a lot of chances in the last two seasons, as he has 20 wickets in 19 IPL innings at an economy of 8.44. In 2022, Delhi got him for INR 4.20 crore, but couldn’t use him due to their team formation.
However, Kolkata could use him in both the powerplay and death-overs with Starc. At just INR 50 lakh, Sakariya will be a valuable option for them.
The IPL 2024 is expected to begin on March 22, 2024.
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