Some players had a terrific time in the recently completed IPL 2023 auction, bagging hefty agreements from clubs. Last year, Sam Curran, Cameron Green, Ben Stokes, and Harry Brook all received large pay packages after putting in strong performances for their respective national teams. Before the sale, it was predicted that these names would be popular among franchisees.
Along with these participants, the mini-auction was anticipated to bring in huge money for others. However, these stars were sold at their basic values, making them bargain buys for purchasers. These were blockbuster purchases for the franchises since they obtained players with high potential while spending less of their permitted budget.
Based on their abilities, these players deserved to win a significant amount of money in the tournament. However, in the forthcoming season, they will aim to exhibit their best and prove themselves to their respective organisations.
Here are three players that may have fetched a lot of money in the mini-auction.
Number 1. Akeal Hosein
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West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein was projected to garner a high price at the mini-auction. However, the 29-year-old was unable to attract the bulk of franchisees at the event and was selected by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at his basic price of INR 1 crore.
He has performed well for his country in T20Is, claiming 25 wickets in 32 outings at a good economy rate of 7.03. Hosein’s record in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is also impressive, with 42 wickets in 47 games at an economy rate of 6.10.
However, the Caribbean star would count himself lucky for finally landing his first IPL contract after being passed over at last year’s blockbuster auction. In the next IPL season, the left-arm bowler will attempt to outperform hitters with his left-arm off-spin bowling.
Number 2. Adil Rashid
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Adil Rashid will participate in his second IPL season this year after being acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2023 IPL auction. The brilliant England leg spinner entered the contest for a basic fee of INR 2 crore. Rashid’s name was called out in round three of the auction, and SRH jumped for the opportunity.
Prior to the mini-auction, the 34-year-old was anticipated to spark a bidding war among franchises after performing well for England in the 2022 T20 World Cup. The leggie trapped four batters in six matches at a great economy of 6.12 in the main event.
He pitched a superb session (4.0-0-20-1) for his squad in the crucial semi-final game against India. He was superb with the ball last year, taking 19 wickets in 24 matches at an incredible economy of 7.50. In the IPL 16, SRH will want him to show off his bowling abilities and become the greatest bargain for them at a fair price.
Number 3. Kane Williamson
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Kane Williamson had a disastrous IPL season last year, scoring just 216 runs in 13 matches at a dismal strike rate of 93.50. As a captain, he couldn’t lead his club to the playoffs with just six victories in 14 games. Following his below-par batting and leadership performances, SRH parted ways with him ahead of the 2023 mini-auction.
He was predicted to reach the list of pricey players based on his overall batting averages in the cash-rich league. He may have enticed the purchasers at the tournament with 2,101 runs in 76 IPL games with a strike rate of 126.03.
He was the first player to go under the hammer at the mini-auction, with a starting bid of INR 2 crore. Gujarat Titans (GT), the reigning champions, grabbed the chance by acquiring the daring Kiwi batter for a very low fee. GT supporters are overjoyed to see him team up with Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Rashid Khan, and Mohammed Shami to defend their championship in the next competition.
