IPL 2021 Auction: 5 Players Who Got A Lower Bid As Per Their Repute

The IPL 2021 auction was a much-anticipated event that entirely lived up to its billing. The auction witnessed 298 cricketers go under the hammer, out of which 58 players got the nod and a few became million-dollar men. Thus, it undoubtedly proved a life-changing moment for those on whom the franchises dished out a large sum.

But while most of the deserving players got the bids and will ply their trade for some or the other franchise, they got a lower amount than their reputation. Franchises were likely sceptical about their ability to play in the sub-continent even though they excelled in international cricket. Simultaneously, the teams who bought such players could consider such players as steal buys.

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 Players Who Got A Lower Bid As Per Their Repute

Lukman Meriwala:

A talented fast bowler from Baroda, Lukman Meriwala grabbed eyeballs through his performances in the 2020-21 edition of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Lukman Meriwala ended the tournament as the second-highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets in eight matches at 13.26 with an economy rate of 6.52.

But the 29-year old went to the Delhi Capitals for merely INR 20 lakhs – his base price. Considering that the fast bowlers dominated the IPL 2021 auction, the franchises should have indulged in a slightly more bidding war for the left-arm speedster. He will add variation to the Capitals’ bowling attack that has a host of right-arm pacemen.

Ben Cutting:

Ben Cutting played an integral role in SunRisers Hyderabad’s title win in 2016 while he was also part of the Mumbai Indians’ squad that lifted the trophy three years later. Ben Cutting is not only capable of delivering massive hits but could also provide four valuable overs along with bowling wicket-taking balls. Kolkata Knight Riders made a steal deal, bagging the Australian all-rounder for INR 75 lakhs.

Cutting’s addition is indeed an invaluable one as he is a backup option for their first-choice all-rounder, Andre Russell. The 34-year old was also in decent form for Sydney Thunder in the 2020-21 edition of the Big Bash League, mustering 280 runs in 15 matches while keeping a strike rate of 156.42. Thus, he ought to go for a higher amount in the auction.

Liam Livingstone:

Liam Livingstone has grown to be one of the best all-rounders in franchise cricket today. The Englishman featured in two T20Is back in 2017 after making his debut and since then has not got any caps. Nevertheless, Livingstone has been continuously raising his stocks in franchise cricket. He was part of the Rajasthan Royals in 2019 and it purchased him for INR 75 lakhs – his base price.

But the 29-year old deserved to earn bids from more franchises since he could fulfil multiple roles in the line-up, ranging from opening the batting, batting in the middle-order apart from bowling off and leg breaks. Livingstone was part of Perth Scorchers in BBL 2020-21 and mustered 426 runs in 14 matches at 30.42 with a strike rate of 133.96. He also used to get the Royals to blazing starts in the 2019 IPL edition.

Shakib Al Hasan:

Several experts backed Shakib Al Hasan to become the most expensive player in the IPL 2021 auction. Shakib Al Hasan is arguably one of the best all-rounders in the world today and the one to emerge from Bangladesh. Returning to the first time in the cash-rich league since 2019, the 33-year old was expected to go big in the auction.

But contrary to the expectations, Shakib did not trigger bidding wars amongst the franchises. The left-arm spinner entered the auction at a base price of INR 2 crores and the bidding went as far as 3.20 crores as Kolkata Knight Riders secured the deal. He was part of the Knight Riders’ both of their winning campaigns, taking 59 wickets in 63 matches while scoring 746 runs.

Dawid Malan:

Dawid Malan was undeniably one of the few players expected to trigger intense bidding wars amongst the franchises. Dawid Malan has experienced a meteoric rise in the shortest format in the last year, climbing to the top of the rankings alongside earning the highest rating point of 915 by any batsman. But the left-handed batsman’s presence hardly did so.

Malan hardly drew any bids from the franchises when the auctioneer announced his name and ultimately, Punjab Kings secured his deal at INR 1.50 crores – his base price. The lack of biddings might be due to his underwhelming BBL 2020-21 season, where he managed only 265 runs in 10 matches at 26.50 for the Hobart Hurricanes. But considering that the 33-year old rules the T20I batting rankings, it’s a steal deal for Punjab.

Also Read: IPL 2021 Auction: 5 Biggest Surprises Of The Auction