IPL 2019: 5 most value-for-money buys at the auction

The IPL 2019 auction was held in Jaipur.

The IPL 2019 auctions saw more than 350 players go under the hammer to be auctioned off for the 70 available spots. Kings XI Punjab was the franchise with the most money to splurge- INR 36.20 crores.

The auction saw money being spent on mystery spinners, foreign fast bowlers and Indian players who were skillful and had a good resume behind them in the format. Some players were making their first appearance in the auction, while some players were released in the auction by franchises, to be picked up at a lower price.

However, some franchises paid a relatively lower price for some players who have a proven track record or have exhibited some out of world skills required for the T20 game. Keeping that in mind, we bring to you, 5 of the best buys in the auction for money spent.

Here are 5 most value-for-money buys at the auction

NICHOLAS POORAN
Bought by KINGS XI PUNJAB for INR 4.2 cr

Nicholas Pooran made a big name for himself in the Caribbean Premier League and then in the recent T20I series when he scored a quick-fire fifty against India. Pooran has scored 1272 runs in 79 T20s with a strike rate of 141.01.

Kings XI Punjab used KL Rahul as the wicket-keeper for the IPL 2018 season, but buying Pooran gives them a brilliant wicketkeeper as well and a hitter that can play the role of the finisher, something that KXIP sorely missed in the previous edition.

SHIMRON HETMYER
Bought by ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE for INR 4.2 cr

Shimron Hetmyer has set the world stage on fire, after his exploits in the ODI series against India, where he exhibited skillful hitting prowess and ability to keep going at a high strike rate. He has a T20 strike rate of 144.34 and his penchant for hitting sixes will give RCB an impactful and powerful opener, something that compensated with Parthiv Patel opening in 2018 edition.

SHERFANE RUTHERFORD
Bought by DELHI CAPITALS for INR 2 cr
Sherfane Rutherford has a T20 strike-rate of 142.50 and is a brilliant all-rounder. Hailing from Guyana, Rutherford has played in CPL for Guyana Amazon Warriors and in 8 T20s, he has scored 171 runs, while has also played 10 FC and 18 LA matches.

Rutherford came into contention after his exploits in the recent T-10 league, as he played important innings of 47*, 39 and 46 for Tigers. Delhi Capitals were looking for a finisher and they have wisely invested in one of the futures of Windies cricket, at a steal price of 2 cr.

AKSHAR PATEL
Bought by DELHI CAPITALS for INR 5 cr
Akshar Patel was released by the Kings XI Punjab, after a lukewarm performance in the IPL 2018. This was after he was the sole player retained by KXIP for IPL 2018. Akshar has 61 wickets in 68 matches at an economy of 7.52 and 686 runs for KXIP at a strike rate of 126.56.

However, despite KXIP entering into a bidding war with Delhi Capitals for Akshar, but DC came out winners, as they required an Indian all-rounder after trading Shahbaz Nadeem to SRH and Akshar has made a name for himself for keeping runs down, something that will help DC rejuvenate their fortunes in the tournament.

JONNY BAIRSTOW
Bought by SUNRISERS HYDERABAD for INR 2.2 cr
Sunrisers Hyderabad required a cover for David Warner, who won’t be likely available for the first week of the tournament, they also required a more than decent wicketkeeper, who could also act as an opener. Enter Jonny Bairstow, who had put his name in the auction at the last minute.

SRH knew Bairstow won’t be available for the whole tournament, but he is a brilliant cover for Warner. Bairstow, who has an ODI strike rate of 104.56 and a T20 strike rate of 126.45, will certainly look to make a lasting impression in his first ever IPL outing in 2019.