The IPL Super Auction is over, and all the 10 squads are assembled. I look at some of the key moments and end with a very special picture gallery.
THREE BIG MONEY OVERSEAS SIGNINGS
Royal Challengers Bangalore made the first big money overseas signing of the auction when they went to 10.75 crore INR (just over £1,000,000) to secure Sri Lankan leg spinning all rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. Hasaranga is a superb T20 player and this was probably a good signing even at such a high price. Punjab Kings did good business when they secured Jonathan Bairstow for 6.75 crore. Nicholas Pooran, neither as good nor as versatile as Bairstow then went for 10.75 crore.
DIFFERING STRATEGIES
Punjab Kings were consistent over the two days, making a number of excellent signings. Liam Livingstone was their most expensive at 11.50 crore, and two very different seam bowling all rounders, India Under 19 star Raj Bawa and Gloucestershire’s quirky veteran Benny Howell were both obtained cheaply. Howell at seven, Bawa at eight, Rabada at nine and two other bowlers at 10 and 11 is a good lower part of the order, while Dhawan, Bairstow and Livingstone will all be in the top half of the order (IPL allows four overseas players in a playing XI and up to eight in a whole squad, which can have a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 25 players), and Bairstow, Livingstone, Howell and Rabada would be my four first choice overseas players from their squad.
Mumbai Indians did little on day one but came to the party on day two. They paid 8.25 crore for Archer, who won’t play this season due to injury, but who they can retain for next season. They also secured Tymal Mills and Tim David. They are unlikely to win IPL 2022, but if Archer is fully fit by then they will be formidable in IPL 2023.
Rajasthan Royals left things very late indeed, making a flurry of signings in the closing stages of the auction when nearly everyone else had completed their squads. They got some useful players at this late stage, but overall their approach cannot be said to have worked.
Royal Challengers Bangalore tailed off after a strong start, and exhausted their budget with several places still available in their squad.
Sunrisers Hyderabad did not even make a strong start, and they too ran out of money rather than filling all 25 slots.
The two new franchises, Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans both had their moments along the way but neither were entirely impressive.
Delhi Capitals had a solid auction, and they should do well in the tournament.
Chennai Super Kings had a good second day, and their squad looks decent.
Kolkata Knight Riders had a mixed couple of days with some good signings and some questionable ones.
The tournament should be good, though it is overly long. I will be supporting Punjab Kings – they had a superb auction.
All squads can be viewed here.
A SPECIAL PHOTO GALLERY
I acquired two lots of interesting cricket related cigarette cards, and they are the subjects of this photo gallery…
aspiblog 