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The 10 smart buys of the IPL 7 Players' auction
The auction ahead of the seventh edition of Indian Premier League involved a lot of profligacy.
While huge sums were paid to acquire the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik, Murali Vijay and Ashish Nehra, it was disappointing that quality players like Ross Taylor and Mahela Jayawardene remained unsold.
Amid this entire acquisition skirmish the franchises did make a few commendable purchases, players who are more likely to provide value for the money spent.
We take a look at the best ‘smart buys’ in the first round of the auction.
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Buying Corey Anderson for Rs 4.5 crore is a steal
Corey Anderson
(Mumbai Indians, Rs 4.5 crore)
They paid US $1 million for Glenn Maxwell last season. Yes, and didn’t exactly benefit from the deal.
However, on this occasion, Mumbai Indians cannot be accused of being decadent.
Buying Corey Anderson for Rs 4.5 crore is a steal.
The 23-year-old New Zealand all-rounder smashed the fastest century in One-day internationals, off just 36 balls, on New Year’s day and is consistent with bat and the ball in the ongoing series against India.
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Hyderabad got Finch quite cheap
Aaron Finch
(Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rs 4 crore)
Pune Warriors failed as a team, well literally!
However, there were a few players in their squad who did make a considerable impact in the last edition of the IPL.
Aaron Finch was the pick of them.
The Australian aggregated 456 runs in 14 games, at a strike rate of 136, while opening the innings.
He has since continued his good form for the national side.
Hyderabad has got him quite cheap.
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Smith's all-round skills an asset for the T20 game
Steven Smith
(Rajasthan Royals, Rs 4 crore)
Another Pune Warriors player who made a considerable impact, Steven Smith was ubiquitous.
The Australian was more than handy with the bat, decent with the ball, when given a chance, and a livewire in the field.
A player with such all-round skills is an asset in the Twenty20 format.
Smith can easily be termed as Rajasthan’s best buy.
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Uthappa a good catch by Kolkata
Robin Uthappa
(Kolkata Knight Riders, Rs 5 crore)
Another one from the Pune Warriors’ stable.
The fact that Robin Uthappa commanded Rs 5 crore proves the impact he has made as a T20 player.
Last season, he was an asset for the Pune franchise, not only with the bat -- particularly his partnerships with Finch -- or behind the stumps.
Besides, buying back Jacques Kallis, this is another great catch KKR made at the auction.
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Shami rewarded for consistency
Mohammad Shami
(Delhi Daredevils, Rs 4.25 crore)
If there is any Indian bowler who has made a significant impact in the last one year, it is Mohammad Shami.
From being consistent in the One-day format to making a high-profile Test debut – with a nine-wicket haul against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens – the 23-year-old was impressive, to say the least.
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De Kock is the most-improved youngster
Quinton De Kock
(Delhi Daredevils, Rs 3.5 crore)
In the Champions League T20 last September, he scored an unbeaten 109 off 63 balls against Otago Volts in Jaipur.
A couple of months later, a maiden one-day hundred -- 112 against Pakistan -- followed.
In December, he came to prominence as one of the most exciting players in world cricket, hitting three successive hundreds in the ODI series against India.
Need we say more?
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Bailey should provide the fizz for Kings
George Bailey
(Kings XI Punjab, Rs 3.25 crore)
George Bailey is, without doubt, one of the best players in the shorter formats in contemporary cricket.
Last October, even though Australia lost the series to India, Bailey reaffirmed the selectors' faith with 478 runs (average: 95.6), the best by any batsman on either side.
Then, in the third Ashes Test at the WACA in Perth, he hit 28 runs off a James Anderson over, equalling Brian Lara's record for the most runs in an over in Test cricket.
Punjab got it right on this occasion.
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Brendon McCullum easily Chennai's best buy
Brendon McCullum
(Chennai Super Kings, Rs 3.25 crore)
In the very first match of the Indian Premier League, Brendon McCullum scored an unbeaten 158 for Kolkata Knight Riders (against Royal Challengers Bangalore).
That remained the highest score in the tournament for six years, till Chris Gayle broke it last year.
The New Zealand captain has been in good form of late, the double hundred against India in the Auckland Test being a case in point.
Besides, in this format he is always a threat.
Easily, Chennai’s best buy.
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Morkel is perfect replacement for Brett Lee
Morne Morkel
(Kolkata Knight Riders, Rs 2.80 crore)
One of the biggest success stories for Delhi Daredevils is now one of the best acquisitions for Kolkata Knight Riders.
Morne Morkel has won the ‘Purple cap’, awarded to the bowler with the highest wickets, once (2012) and was consistent over the years.
His pace, coupled with the bounce he generates owing to his tall frame, more often than not poses a question to the batsmen facing him.
Since KKR chose not to retain Brett Lee, suffice to say, the South African is a perfect replacement.
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Pacer Southee is also handy with the bat
Tim Southee
(Rajasthan Royals, Rs 1.2 crore)
One of the best young bowlers around, Tim Southee has been consistent in recent times, Team India being at the receiving end of his bursts.
Besides, he is quite handy with the bat.
Considering the New Zealander's base price was just Rs 50 lakh, it was expected to go up.
Chennai Super Kings, whom he represented last year, and Rajasthan Royals were involved in a tussle for a while.
However, when Rajasthan increased their bid to Rs 1.2 crore, Chennai refrained from offering more.
All said, Southee will be an asset for the 2008 champions this season.
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