IPL Auction 2018: Value For Money Deals

The IPL auction 2018 has been one of the most competitive auctions till date. Two fierce days of bidding saw some relatively unknown faces become millionaires. While there were tales of players going from rags to riches, some established names in world cricket found no takers. The list of complete squads is out in the open, looking at them you would feel they are the strongest team IPL has witnessed till date. But who got the best buys this time? which team managed to steal impact players at an economic price? Let’s find out.

Here is our list of value for money players bought during the IPL auctions 2018:

The Chennai Super Kings had an absolute bargain as they acquired the services of Faf du Plessis for 1.5 crore. Known for his aggressive batting the addition of Faf beefs up the CSK middle order. Faf averages 30.12 in the IPL and has a healthy strike rate of 127.96. Not to forget his exceptional fielding which is an asset for any team.

The leggie had a dream IPL last season. He had a peak season being ranked the number 1 T20 bowler in February last year. Though 37 years of age, Tahir’s energy isn’t any lesser than that of a 20 year old. As IPL 2017 showed us Leg-spinners are match winners, and getting hold of Tahir at just 1 crore is an absolute steal deal. In T20s Tahir has an economy of slightly over 6 and averages 15.86.

T20 cricket revolves around all-rounders. A dynamic all-rounder is a fulcrum around which the team balances itself. Though slightly underrated, Moeen Ali is a tried and tested all-rounder. He can give you some fire power in the lower middle order and four overs of economic spin bowling. At 1.7 crore Ali is an valuable addition to the RCB squad, watch out for him.

A fast bowler steaming in at speeds of over 145 mph, and bats with a strike rate of 154, lower down the order, can anything be more desirable than this for a T20 team? Getting hold of Tim Southee at 1crore is a cracker of a deal for the RCB. While Southee hasn’t got enough games in the IPL, his performances for the Kiwis are enough to make a statement. In Southee, the RCB will have a seam gun at their disposal.

With a first class average of 56.62, and undoubtedly the best batsmen in the ongoing under 19- World Cup Shaw has set the bar high. His performances have impressed the critics and senior players alike, so much so that he has been often compared to the great Sachin Tendulkar. What ore do you say about someone who scores 54 of the 65 runs the team needs? Delhi Daredevils have a jewel in Shaw they need to polish. at 1.2 crore Shaw is definitely a great potential buy.

Colin Munro is all fire power. He is the only player to score three T20 centuries. He also holds a record for the fastest T20 century by an New Zealander, having surpassed Brendon McCullum. A player with a T20 average of over 33 and a strike rate of around 155 is an absolute jackpot for 1.9 crores and Delhi Daredevils have won this one.

Mumbai Indians would be absolutely delighted to have JP Duminy in their line up. He provides much needed stability in the middle order. An IPL average of around 40 and a strike rate lingering around 125 is absolutely worth the 1 crore. His fielding ability is unmatched and when in trouble Duminy can give you 4 overs of off-spin.

He may be out of favor when it comes to selection in the Indian team, but his IPL record is stellar. 103 IPL wickets and an economy lingering around 7 is a decent bet at 1 crore. Kumar had successfully lead Karnataka to their 7th Ranji trophy title, who knows may be Kumar might turn out to be the answer to KKR’s search for a captain.

“Remember the name Carlos Brathwaite” this statement still resonates with most of us. Best known for hitting 4 consecutive sixes of Ben Stokes in the T20 World Cup final Brathwaite adds fire power lower down the order. A T20 strike rate of around 180 and some decent fast bowling, Brathwaite is definitely value for money at 2 crores for the SRH this IPL.