5 Biggest Blunders By IPL Franchises That Will Cost Them In IPL 2023

Updated - 06 Jan 2023, 11:53 AM

IPL 2023 Pic Credits: Twitter

Table of Contents

The IPL 2023 mini-auction was held in Kochi on December 23. A total of 80 players were sold with the franchises spending a total of Rs 164.5 crore at the Kochi mini-auction. Initially, a total of 991 players were registered for the auction. The BCCI trimmed down the list to 405 and from there 87 slots were to be filled.

Despite so much money being spent, many of the franchises had a hefty amount remaining as well. Punjab had 12.25 crores purse remaining while Rajasthan and SRH had 6.75 and 7.75 respectively.

Ben Stokes and Sam Curran (Image Credits: Twitter

Punjab Kings bought Sam Curran for 18. 50 crores making him the most expensive player in the history of the IPL. Ben Stokes and Cameron Green fetched 16.25 and 17.50 respectively.

KKR had the lower purse of 7.05 crores heading into the auction while SRH had over 42 crores remaining purse amount. The different franchises went into with different ideologies and intentions. While PBKS and SRH managed to rebuild their squad, the likes of KKR, CSK, GT and LSG looked for backups. With whatever happened at the auction table, everyone went home happy after the fiesty bidding war.

The franchises were decisive and pinpoint in terms of their decision-making in the auction. In this article, however, we look at the mistakes they committed in the auction table that might cost them the season.

5 Biggest Blunders By IPL Franchises That Will Cost Them In IPL 2023

1) Not Buying Ideal Backups

This is in reference to Kolkata Knight Riders who did not buy ideal backups. With the least remaining purse, KKR had to fill key spots at the auction table. KKR needed an attacking overseas opener and they let go of Chris Lynn who performed consistently well for them in the seasons that he played. Kolkata ideally needed an Indian spin option and they did not buy one.

They bought Shakib Al Hasan for 1.5 crores. However, KKR still are an option short when it comes to backup for Indian players.

2) Investing in Uncapped Players

Several franchises including Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, and Punjab Kings have invested heavily in uncapped players. While it helped the side fill up their quota of players, not many will be constantly given games. The investment would ideally turn out for nothing in the upcoming season as almost all the franchises have a settled first XI.

3) Lack Of All-Rounders

Sides like Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers have more uni-dimensional players that all-rounders in their squads. While the ever-changing formats need more all-rounders, this is an area where these three franchises might fall short. Sunrisers accumulating a good squad does not have a quality all-rounder in their XI. Similar is the case with the Royals and RCB.

4) Identifying Wrong Impact Players

The BCCI is all set to introduce a new rule in the tournament. The rule will be called the ‘Impact Player’ rule adding a new dimension to the tournament. As per the stated rules, both teams need to name four substitutes or impact players along with their playing XI at the time of the toss. The impact player can replace any member of the starting XI at any point before the end of the 14th over of either inning and will be able to bat and bowl his full quota of overs.

The new ‘Impact Player’ rule is all set to spice up the next IPL season. The contest between bat and ball will be decided by close margins if the franchises do not use the correct players as impact players. This is an added headache for all the franchises and it will be interesting to see how they address it.

5) The Conundrum Of Chasing Targets

We have often seen IPL captains choosing to chase despite winning the toss and not opting to bowl first. IPL 2022 was a classic example where the teams who won games chasing in the first half of the season struggled to chase the runs down in the second half of the season.

A similar problem was highlighted by CSK skipper MS Dhoni during the second IPL of IPL 2021 in the UAE. Thus the franchise owners, management, and the captain need to have a proper blueprint as to how to approach the new season.

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