ShThe Indian T20 League auction had some edge of the seat thrilling moments with franchises in a neck and neck race for some of the best cricketing talents in the world.
With some extraordinary buys at whopping prices (cue Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell), we take a look at how good the franchises were at the auction table and if the cash they dished out for the top buys is worth it.
Pat Cummins - ₹15.5 crore - Kolkata
15.5 crores for a fast bowler might seem a tad too much especially when you have seven other pacers in the squad. But look closer and you see Kolkata's issues last season stemmed from not having a proper pace bowling spearhead to guide their young domestic pacers - the likes of Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi and Prasidh Krishna. Cummins on the Eden pitch could breathe fire and even at 15.5 crores is a worthy buy for the franchise.
Verdict: Excellent
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Glenn Maxwell - ₹10.75 crore - Punjab
Glenn Maxwell was always expected to rake in big money at the auction after his recent exploits in T20 cricket. Despite the break he took owing to mental health issues, Maxwell remained hot property at the auction with franchises entering a bidding war for him. At 10.75 crore, Punjab seemed quite happy to acquire his services. But with an average of 22.9 in the history of the league, Maxwell has proved to be inconsistent and that kind of money could prove to be too much for the Australian.
Verdict: Poor
Chris Morris - ₹10 crore - Bangalore
Bangalore came into the auction hoping to pick a death bowler and a lower-order finisher. In Chris Morris, they found both and the franchise was pretty keen to get him on board. Morris, who has been in good form in the Mzansi Super League, is a perfect fit in the Bangalore squad and will fulfill multiple roles in the side.
Verdict: Good
Sheldon Cottrell - Rs 8.5 crore - Punjab
The West Indian left-arm seamer has been hitting headlines with his uncomfortable length and pace and can also generate swing upfront. A thinking bowler who can bowl variations and change his plans on the go, Cottrell is a valuable addition, particularly with the left-arm angle posing a massive threat. Punjab were keen on bringing him aboard and shelled out ₹8.5 crore from their 40-plus budget. Considering that, Cottrell is a good buy.
Verdict: Good
Nathan Coulter-Nile - ₹8 crore - Mumbai
At first glance you wonder if Mumbai need Nathan Coulter-Nile. They have Quinton de Kock, Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult and Mitchell McClenaghan as their foreign players already with a slew of others including the recently traded in Sherfane Rutherford also available.
But, with Malinga no longer as effective and Boult's T20 credentials questionable, the Aussie could fit in snugly in the line-up. Coulter-Nile is also a ferocious ball striker and can fulfill late-order hitting duties too. Overall, for Mumbai, the Aussie seamer is a pretty good buy although with his record at Bangalore, there is reason to wait before giving out a verdict.
Verdict: Average
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Saeed Khan
