The Biggest Surprises Of IPL 2018

With loads of twist and turns, this year’s IPL 2018 Auction found the top position in the ongoing trending list. There were too many jaw-dropping bids in the Auction which somewhere led the nation on talks. Especially the bidders and their approach towards the players have been very much shocking. Hence it did unlock a bunch of surprises for the nation to banter on. Let’s have a look at each of them.

Krishnappa Gowtham’s 6.2 crore bidding:

Usually, when an uncapped player makes an entrance in the IPL Auction, that particular debutant is often seen to get a bid of 1 to 2 crore maximum that too starting from the base price of 20 lacs. Also, to ensure such bid that player must be carrying a magnificent graph on his back. But this year that trend hadn’t been followed by the bidders. For an uncapped player like Krishnappa Gowtham, the bidders were seen to go berserk with their bids. This Karnataka lad might have bagged some good cricketing sessions in his past but that didn’t seem to be worthy of having the bid of 6.2 crores. Yes, you heard it right, this Karnataka cricketer had been bagged for a colossal amount of 6.2 crores by Rajasthan Royals. Whether it is a lucrative investment or just a mere wastage of money, only the time will define.

Nepal makes its debut in IPL:

Nepal sensation, Sandeep Lamichhane finally made his debut in the Indian Premier League this year. This leg spinning sensation is said to be the first cricketer who had been bought in IPL. Hence it is indeed very surprising as well as a proud moment for this year’s IPL franchise. Before this IPL 2018, the teen was put through a quiet trial in Delhi, and a video of his bowling was sent to team coach Ricky Ponting. The Australian legend was impressed. On Sunday, the Daredevils bought Lamichhane for Rs 20 lakh — the culmination of a process that began a year-and-a-half ago, when the franchise first spotted him at the inaugural Hong Kong T20 Blitz. Hence, it would be a very interesting season for IPL perspective.

Krunal Pandya- The most expensive uncapped player:

Krunal Pandya on Saturday became the costliest uncapped buy in IPL history, going for a whopping Rs 8.8 crore to Mumbai Indians as rookie players. The 22-year-old all-rounder has had a decent stint for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash. And he also plays first-class cricket for Sussex in England. Krunal going to Mumbai Indians was expected but not the astronomical figure he went for. He surpassed Pawan Negi who was bought by Delhi Daredevils for Rs 8.5 crore in the 2016 auction. Krunal’s base price was Rs 40 lakh. Mumbai Indians exercised the Right to Match for Krunal. And that too after a bidding war broke out between Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Krunal remaining at Mumbai Indians also means that he and his brother Hardik Pandya will turn out for the same IPL team again.

Marquee Players like Gautam, Yuvraj, and Harbhajan sold on their base price:

Gautam Gambhir, the 36-year-old who had led Kolkata Knight Riders to two titles in his seven-year stay but not retained this time, was bought by Delhi Daredevils. The homecoming, to a team he left in 2010, though was at a modest Rs 2.8 crore. However, the India opener could be in the reckoning for the captaincy of a team that has habitually struggled in the IPL.

Yuvraj Singh, whose Rs 16 crore by Delhi Daredevils in 2014 is the highest bid in the IPL auction, was bought by his ‘home’ team, Kings XI Punjab, but for his base price of Rs 2 crore. The hard-hitting batsman too has seen his career taper off. His poor fitness was on display during India’s 2017 ICC Champions Trophy campaign in London. And also he has struggled to clear the Yo-Yo test, a must for India selection.

Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, 37, is also limited his playing and champions Mumbai Indians didn’t bid for him. But Chennai Super Kings acquired the miserly T20 bowler for his base price of Rs 2 crore, having let fellow off-spinner R Ashwin go.

Old Warhorse Lasith Malinga went unsold:

In an IPL auction, where fast bowlers who can bowl with pace and fire were the first to be targeted by the franchises, it is indeed surprising that Malinga remained unsold. Malinga had picked up 154 wickets in 110 matches in the IPL at a strike rate of 16.6 and an average of 19.01. He carried the Mumbai Indians to the final in 2010. And he was the leading wicket-taker in the 2011 edition of the tournament. It was Malinga’s crucial performances which led to Mumbai Indians winning the title back in 2015. Despite his performances, Malinga was one of the strange exclusions for the upcoming IPL.

Under 19 stars became crorepatis:

India’s U-19 stars Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw and Kamlesh Nagarkotti have fetched big money in the IPL 2018 auction. Prithvi Shaw has been sold to the Delhi Daredevils for Rs 1.2 crore. And Gill and Nagarkotti cost the Kolkata Knight Riders Rs 1.8 crore and 3.2 crores respectively. The three players are currently with the team representing India in the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. Shaw is captain of the team while Gill has thus far been India’s highest scorer in the tournament.

No 1 T20 Batsman, Colin Munro witnessing a cheap buy:

Colin Munro was bought for 1.9 crore rupees at the annual auction on Saturday. And that may be a bargain for Delhi, given the form he has shown this summer. It took a while for an opening bid to come for Munro. But eventually, the Mumbai Indians showed some interest in the left-hander. Delhi fought Mumbai off, but the Rajasthan Royals then got involved, before giving up as well. He has previously played for the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2016. And after scoring a hundred, two fifties and an unbeaten 49 in five internationals this summer, he was always likely to be picked up.

Afghanistan sensation Rashid Khan’s grand entry at IPL 2018:

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan took the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 player auction by storm after Sunrisers Hyderabad exercised their Right-to-Match by shelling out a whopping Rs 9 crore. The purse eclipsed the trading of India off-spinner R Ashwin. Later, Kings XI Punjab bought him for Rs 7.6 crore. SRH, the IPL 2016 champions, were forced to fork out big money after a bidding war between Kings XI Punjab. And RCB saw price soar for the 19-year-old Afghan, who has taken Twenty20 leagues by storm in the last two years.

Saurashtra Boy, Jaydev Unadkat hit the jackpot:

Jaydev Unadkat headlined IPL Auctions 2018 on Day 2 with Rajasthan Royals. The Royals have broken their bank for the services of the Saurashtra bowler for a whopping Rs 11.5 crore. He has surpassed KL Rahul (KXIP) and Manish Pandey (SRH) [11 crores] the previous day, thus becoming the costliest Indian player at the auction.