On December 23, the player auction for the 16th season of the Indian Premier League finished, with teams breaking their wallets to recruit top-tier players from across the globe. Some of the auction’s top earners were Sam Curran (INR 18.5 crore), Cameron Green (INR 17.5 crore), Ben Stokes (INR 16.25 crore), and Nicholas Pooran (INR 16 crore).
Teams, however, were keen not just to choose international class players, but also home cricketers who had performed well.
Here are three lesser-known players that won handsomely in the IPL 2023 auction.
Number 1. Vivrant Sharma
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Vivrant Sharma is a rising star in Jammu and Kashmir cricket circles. He has attacked the opponents from the outset and given his team with quick beginnings. He’s also been quite effective with the ball, taking key wickets.
Vivrant lit up the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022 with his amazing exploits, appearing in eight matches and scoring 395 runs with a strike rate of 94.72. The Jammu-born bowler picked up five wickets at a 6.25 economy rate.
Sunrisers Hyderabad loved what they saw in the batting all-rounder and went all out to sign him at the IPL 2023 auction. Finally, the Hyderbad franchise was able to sign Vivrant for INR 2.6 crore.
Number 2. Mukesh Kumar
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Mukesh Kumar has a track record of success on the Indian home circuit. He has a stellar first-class record, having taken 123 wickets at an average of 21.49 in 33 matches. In the shortest format, the 29-year-old has also shown his bowling prowess, capturing 25 wickets at an economy rate of 7.20 in 23 outings.
Mukesh created havoc in the Ranji Trophy 2021-22 season, taking 20 wickets in five matches. He continued his hot streak in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022, taking nine wickets at a 4.91 economy rate. Because of his exceptional bowling performances, the ace bowler received his first international call-up for the ODI series against South Africa.
Mukesh’s stock was skyrocketing, and the Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings all expressed interest in bringing him aboard. Finally, DC was able to get the Bengal pacer for INR 5.5 crore.
Number 3. Mayank Dagar
Image Source – Twitter
Mayank Dagar has been a bankable name on the Indian domestic circuit. The 26-year-old has appeared in 31 first-class matches, claiming 93 scalps at an average of 30.97. He has also been impressive in the shortest format, taking 44 wickets in as many matches at an economy rate of 6.17.
Dagar was outstanding in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022, strangling batsmen with his perfect lines and lengths. He appeared in seven games and took 12 wickets at an excellent 5.22 economy rate.
Dagar is a cunning client who has shown his ability to bowl at any stage of the game. As a result, when he appeared at the auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals went all out to get him. SRH eventually signed the left-arm spinner for INR 1.8 crore.
