IPL 2021: Top 5 steal deals of the auction

So, yet another eventful IPL auction has come to an end. The IPL auction has the habit of throwing up a lot of surprises every year, and the 2021 auction was no different. There were players on whom the franchises splashed several crores of rupees, as a total of 57 players were sold.

Chris Morris was the biggest beneficiary, as the Rajasthan Royals (RR) were willing to shell out INR 16.25 Crores to procure his services. Apart from Morris, New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson was procured for a gargantuan sum of INR 15 Crores by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Glenn Maxwell’s poor run in the 2020 edition of the IPL had no bearing on his price tag, as the Bangalore outfit shelled out INR 14.25 Crores for him.

But then, there were a few cricketers who were bought for a low sum of money, and given their utility, can be called a ‘steal’ for the franchises. In this article, let us take a look at the 5 steal deals of the IPL 2021 auction.

5. Jalaj Saxena (30 Lakhs)

Jalaj Saxena was bagged by the Punjab Kings side for his base price of INR 30 Lakhs. And, despite Saxena not having any international experience, the buy is indeed a steal for the Punjab Kings side. Saxena produced a stunning performance in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament with the ball. The right-arm off-spinner picked up 10 wickets in 5 games at an average of just 11.90.

Also, Saxena has a stunning record in domestic T20s. He has played 59 matches and has taken 59 wickets at an average of just 18.20. Another factor that makes Saxena such a handy pick is his ability to choke the batsman and stem the flow of runs. And, his economy rate of 6.84 stands testimony to the same.

Having bagged him for his base price of INR 30 Lakhs, the Punjab Kings would surely not be complaining.

4. Shakib Al Hasan (3.2 Crores)

Shakib Al Hasan has returned back to the IPL fold after missing out in the previous edition. And, the Bangladesh all-rounder was purchased by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 3.2 Crores. Considering the value that Shakib brings to the table, the Kolkata side would be really happy with the price for which they bought Shakib.

The left-hander is the second-highest run-scorer for Bangladesh in T20Is and has amassed 1567 runs at a strike rate of close to 125(123.77). He is also the leading wicket-taker for Bangladesh in the T20I format and has scalped 92 wickets at an excellent average of 20.58. Shakib has also featured in the IPL for almost a decade now and was a part of the victorious Kolkata squad in the 2012 and 2014 IPL editions.

All in all, the Kolkata side got an excellent deal for Shakib, by pouching him for a sum of INR 3.2 Crores.

3. Mustafizur Rahman (1 Crore)

The Rajasthan outfit bought Bangladesh pacer, Mustafizur Rahman, for a price of INR 1 Crore, and surely, they will be beaming after procuring the left-arm seamer for his base price. Mustafizur is a bowler who can be very handy in T20 cricket. He has got a lot of variations up his sleeve, he can open the bowling and get the new ball to zip around, and can also be useful in the death overs as well.

And, the most important factor that makes Mustafizur an asset for any side is his ability to pick up wickets. The 25-year-old has played 41 T20I matches for his country and has picked up 58 wickets. And, it is his strike rate of 15.53 that makes him such a lethal weapon for his side.

The Rajasthan side already has Jofra Archer in their ranks. And now, the addition of Mustafizur would surely bolster their bowling attack.

2. Steve Smith (2.2 Crores)

INR 2.2 Crores. That was the price for which the Delhi Capitals bought Steve Smith for. Smith has an excellent record in IPL cricket. The right-hander has played 95 matches and scored 2333 runs at a very good average of 35.35 and at a strike rate of close to 130(129.25).

Even in ODI cricket last year, the Aussie was in rampaging form. Smith scored 2 consecutive hundreds against India, both off just 62 balls in November 2020. And, those two hundreds are the third-fastest centuries (in terms of balls faced) by an Australian batsman in the ODI format. Smith also averaged 63.11 in ODI cricket last year.

Smith can also guide current skipper Shreyas Iyer with his vast amount of experience. And surely, bagging Smith for a sum of INR 2.2 Crores is an absolute steal for the Delhi outfit.

1. Dawid Malan (1.5 Crores)

One look at his T20I record will help us understand why the Punjab Kings (PBKS) buying him for a sum of INR 1.5 Crores is probably the biggest steal of the IPL auctions that took place yesterday. Dawid Malan has scored 855 runs in just 19 T20I innings, and has scored his runs at an average of 53.44, and at a strike rate of almost 150(149.48).

The left-hander has also scored 9 fifties in 19 innings in T20I cricket thus far, which means that he scores a fifty once every 2.11 innings in T20I cricket. Malan is a batsman who can turn a match on its head and can put pressure on the opposition with his aggressive approach.

The Punjab side already has the likes of KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, and Nicholas Pooran in their ranks. And now, the addition of Malan means the Punjab side arguably has the most threatening batting line up among the 8 franchises.