IPL 5 Auction: The final verdict

The announcement of Sahara India’s dissociation from the BCCI couldn’t have been better timed, with the hype of the players’ auction for the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League grabbing headlines already. However, the Subroto Roy-led conglomerate’s ‘alleged’ attempt to derail the IPL auctions did not materialize and the event went underway in Bengaluru as scheduled, with 8 teams participating instead of nine.

146 players went under the hammer but only 25 of them managed to find buyers, Ravindra Jadeja emerging as the biggest winner attracting the maximum bid of $2 million from both Deccan Chargers and Chennai Super Kings (the latter eventually winning it in secret bidding). There were other big money purchases like Mahela Jayawardene ($1.4m) and Vinay Kumar ($1m), as well as surprises in the form of some glaring omissions.

So what’s the final verdict on the purchases made in today’s auction? Here’s a look at the dealings done by the teams –

Chennai Super Kings:

Players purchased: Ravindra Jadeja ($2m)

Verdict: CSK came to the auction with the objective to buy just one player – Ravindra Jadeja. Skipper Dhoni usually gets the players he wants in the team and the fact that he likes Jadeja’s prowess as an all-rounder might have influenced the decision of the team owners to spend their entire purse on him. The Chennai squad is already one of the best in the league and Jadeja seems a fine addition.

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Players purchased: Muttiah Muralitharan ($220,000), Vinay Kumar ($1m)

Verdict: RCB should be reasonably happy with the purchases they have made. Getting someone of Muralitharan’s calibre for just $220,000 looks like a real steal, especially when the Lankan was one of the marquee players in the auction. Though he isn’t expected to play in every game, Murali should provide ideal backup for captain Daniel Vettori.

One might feel that the Vijay Mallya-owned team paid over the odds for a reunion with Vinay Kumar but the Karnataka bowler has usually performed well in home conditions and can get atleast 10-15 wickets every season. The addition of Aussie all-rounder Andrew McDonald in the transfer window perhaps explains why they didn’t go for an extra batsman.

Mumbai Indians:

Players purchased: Herschelle Gibbs ($50,000), Mitchell Johnson ($300,000), Rudra Pratap Singh ($600,000), Robin Peterson ($100,000), Thisara Perera ($650,000)

Verdict: Mumbai Indians might as well claim to be the team that emerged on top at the end of the auction. Though they lost their bids to sign Brendon McCullum and Sunil Narine (both to Kolkata Knight Riders), they should be delighted with the value-for-money purchases they have made.

Gibbs is past his prime but will provide sufficient cover to Aiden Blizzard and Davy Jacobs for the opener’s slot, not to mention his outstanding fielding skills. Both Johnson and Perera have been brought in as all-rounders, who can get a few big hits coming down the order besides chipping in with a bowling spell.

RP Singh looks a sensible buy who will provide competition to Munaf Patel for the second bowler’s slot. The addition of Peterson seems unnecessary in an already strong spin bowling department consisting of Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Ray Price and Ali Murtuza, but the South African is no mean cricketer when it comes to using the long handle.

Kolkata Knight Riders:

Players purchased: Brendon McCullum ($900,000), Sunil Narine ($700,000), Marchant de Lange ($50,000)

Verdict: The Shahrukh Khan-owned outfit turned around their fortunes last season with some stellar buying in the last auction and they seemed to carry on with a similar trend. Brendon McCullum, who played for KKR in the first 3 editions, was bought for a sum close to a million dollars. The team management would hope he puts on a much improved and consistent showing than his earlier stint.

Many were surprised by the purchase of Sunil Narine for a substantial amount of $700,000, but his good performances in the Champions League T20 last year might have played a part in the decision. The limited availability of the West Indies’ players during the IPL also raises concerns about his participation. Marchant de Lange seems to be a bargain deal, but the South African youngster will possibly serve as understudy to the likes of Brett Lee and James Pattinson for now.

Kings XI Punjab:

Players purchased: Ramesh Powar ($160,000), James Faulkner ($190,000), Azhar Mahmood ($200,000)

Verdict: Adam Gilchrist’s team were unlucky to miss out on the semis last season but their signings indicate that they have not bought anyone just for the sake of buying. Ramesh Powar and James Faulkner should serve mainly as squad players, though the latter might be expected to compete for a place in the starting lineup alongside Ryan Harris and Stuart Broad.

Azhar Mahmood entered the auction having completed the formalities of being a British national. The 36-year-old all-rounder is the only Pakistan-born player (yes, we should be calling him that now) to play in the IPL since the first edition, but his years of experience in English county cricket should prove handy.

Rajasthan Royals:

Players purchased: Brad Hodge ($475,000), Dinesh Chandimal ($50,000), Sreesanth ($400,000) Brad Hogg ($180,000), Kevon Cooper ($50,000)

Verdict: They are perhaps one of the smartest buyers in the IPL. Each of their purchases looks good value-for-money, especially wicketkeeper-batsman Chandimal and Kevon Cooper for $50,000 each. Though he is 37, Brad Hodge can bat anywhere in the order and should provide a calm experienced head to guide the untested youngsters.

Brad Hogg might seem too old but his performances in the recently-concluded Big Bash League were excellent, where he was one of the highest wicket takers. In the absence of the charismatic Shane Warne, he should be their leading spin bowler and best bet to take wickets on rank Indian turners. Sreesanth should lead the pace attack alongside Shaun Tait if selected in the starting XI.

Deccan Chargers:

Players purchased: Parthiv Patel ($650,000), Daniel Harris ($70,000), Darren Bravo ($100,000)

Verdict: Had a bad day at the auction. The Chargers failed in their bids to get players like Ravindra Jadeja, Vinay Kumar and RP Singh, who would have bolstered the Indian contingent of the squad. Parthiv Patel is a good addition to the batting lineup and that is the only positive the Chargers can take away from the entire auction.

Daniel Harris and Darren Bravo might be decent batsmen but it is hard to fathom where they would fit in the lineup. Other than waiting for an opportunity to arrive, there is very little these two can possibly do.

Delhi Daredevils:

Players purchased: Mahela Jayawardene ($1.4m), Andre Russell ($450,000), Doug Bracewell ($50,000)

Verdict: After a rather disastrous outing last year (both at the auction as well as on the field), Delhi Daredevils seem to be back in the hunt once again. They bought star batsman Kevin Pietersen from Deccan Chargers in the transfer window and now with Jayawardene joining the ranks, the middle order looks a lot more solid than last time around.

Russell is a talented player – somewhat in the mould of Kieron Pollard – and should be key to Delhi’s fortunes if he plays. Bracewell is bit of an unknown quantity but has the ability to succeed in the subcontinent.

How every team actually fares when the IPL gets underway in April is something to watch out for. For now it’s advantage Mumbai Indians, who have emerged top dog in this year’s auction and have the strongest squad (on paper) among all teams. But will they go on to win their first ever Indian Premier League title? Only time will tell…