The IPL 2020 auction was full of unpredictability and surprises. A total of 338 players were up for grabs but only 62 players were bought by various franchises. Keeping in mind that this auction was the last auction before the mega auctions that take place next year, the teams went on to splurge big money on many short term targets.
The auctions also saw Pat Cummins become the highest priced overseas player in the history of the Indian Premier League. He got bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping 15.5 crores, a testament to his outstanding returns for Australia in the past 12-15 months across formats of the game.
IPL auctions are very unpredictable and the dynamics can change from time to time. However, all the teams seemed satisfied when they came out of the auction room. Some of the teams went for International experience (RCB), while others went for young players with huge potential (SRH).
Since the conclusion of the IPL 2020 Auction, many cricket experts and fans have questioned the players that the teams bought. Some have questioned the high price paid for a player while others have questioned the need to buy the particular player. Whether the players bought could prove to be bad buys or value for money, we will come to know only when IPL 2020 starts.
Here are 5 players in particular who franchises might regret buying in the IPL 2020 Auction:
1. Nathan Coulter-Nile (Mumbai Indians)
Nathan Coulter-Nile last played in the IPL for KKR in 2017. Since then the Australian fast bowler has struggled with injuries and has not taken part in the last two editions. Coulter-Nile was picked by Mumbai Indians for a hefty price of 8.5 crores INR this time around. Mumbai has a very stable and set playing 11, and with the arrival of Chris Lynn at the top of the order, the quickie from Down Under may find it difficult to find a place in the playing 11.
The tall Aussie fast bowler was recently out of action for over 2 months with a back injury. His pace has also dropped due to his regular injuries and that might prove to be a cause of concern for the Mumbai Indians. Thus, the price of 8.5cr seems over the top for a player who has struggled with injuries and is not guaranteed to play regularly. As it stands, Mumbai might regret splashing such a huge amount for Coulter-Nile.
He is considered as a backup option for the likes of Lasith Malinga, but the question to be asked is will Mumbai Indians field Coulter-Nile in the playing XI and Does their abundant foreign talent prevent the Aussie all-rounder to make his presence felt.
2. Varun Chakravarthy (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Varun Chakravarthy made headlines in the IPL 2019 auctions when Kings XI Punjab splashed INR 8.4 cr for the services of the mystery spinner. However, things did not go according to plan and Chakravarthy played just one game in the tournament before getting injured. His only spell in the tournament wasnât a one to remember as well. In 3 overs, he gave away 35 runs and managed to take just a single wicket.
In the recently concluded IPL auctions, Kolkata Knight Riders went big on Varun and spent INR 4 cr on the rookie bowler. KKR already has spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Sunil Narine in their ranks, thus, Chakravarthy will find it difficult to play ahead of those two. KKRâs home track was relayed in 2016 and since then it has been assisting the seamers more than the spinners.
The 28-year-old will find it difficult to create any impact on such a seamer-friendly wicket, and INR 4 cr is a huge price to pay for a player who is yet to prove his mettle at the highest level. Since the injury, Varun Chakravarthy has not played cricket regularly at a competitive level as well. The Kolkata Knight Riders might regret taking such a big risk.
Buying him at a lower price or probably reinstating the faith in someone like Piyush Chawla who they released might have been a better option as far as KKR is concerned. Varun had a nightmarish foray into IPL for KXIP and will find it extremely hard to let go of that mental baggage and perform.
3. Chris Morris (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
The Royal Challengers Bangalore splashed INR 10 cr for the services of Chris Morris in the recently concluded IPL auctions. Morris used to be one of the top all-rounders in the league in the 2016 season when he scored 195 runs in 12 matches batting lower down the order.
Along with the runs, Morris took 13 wickets at an economy of just 7.00. His performance that season earned him a mega-contract in the 2017 season as he was one of the 3 players that were retained by the Delhi Capitals. However, since then, it has gone downhill for the South-African all-rounder.
In the last two seasons, Morris has scored just 78 runs in 13 league games. To make things worse, the Chinnaswamy stadium is known for high scoring matches and thus Morris might struggle to make his mark with the ball. His recent performances have shown that the 30-year-old is going through a decline in form and 10cr might be too big a sum for him.
His recent run of good performances in MSL 2019 coupled with the fact that RCB were in desperate need of a reliable bowling all-rounder may have made them break their bank to acquire Morris. When in full flight, the price tag of 10crs may make sense but he has been more of a letdown in the past 12-15 months for South Africa in LOI.
4. Marcus Stoinis (Delhi Capitals)
Marcus Stoinis was bought by the Delhi Capitals for INR 4.80 crores. Stoinis played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2019. However, despite playing over 10 matches for the franchise last season, Stoinis failed to have any significant impact. He managed to score 211 runs with the highest score of just 46*. To be fair on him, RCB didnât have a clear role laid out for him. Positioning him as a bowling all-rounder who was used as a death overs specialist didnât work for Stoinis.
Delhi Capitals have taken a huge risk by paying such a price for an all-rounder who has not performed up to the mark in the previous editions of the IPL. Playing for Kings XI Punjab in 2018, Stoinis scored just 99 runs in the 7 games he played for the team. Delhi has enough all-rounders in Keemo Paul, R Ashwin and Axar Patel. Thus, Stoinis might find it difficult to make the starting 11 and it might prove to be a huge mistake to have spent INR 4.8cr on Stoinis who is yet to prove his mettle in the Indian Premier League.
Stoinis might be best suited as an opener who can get the Capitals off to a flying start and bowl 2-3 tight overs. It would be interesting to see how Delhi Capitals use the services of the Melbourne Stars all-rounder.
5. Jaydev Unadkat (Rajasthan Royals)
Jaydev Unadkat made headlines when the Rajasthan Royals splashed INR 11.5 crores for the services of Unadkat as he became one of the most expensive Indian players in the history of the IPL. However, Unadkat failed to repay the faith of the Rajasthan based franchise and was released just after one season. His luck continues to shine on him despite having many bad days at the office, as he was released by Rajasthan only to be bought back by them.
In the 2018 and 2019 IPL season, the left-arm pacer took just 21 wickets in 26 matches he played for Rajasthan at an economy of more than 9.8. He regularly leaked runs in the latter stages of the innings and was dropped due to his poor performances.
Rajasthan Royals have once again taken a huge risk by investing INR 3 cr on Jaydev Unadkat who failed to repay the faith shown by the franchise in the previous editions. With other better equipped fast bowlers like Jofra Archer, Ankit Rajpoot, Andrew Tye already in their squad, Unadkat would not find it easy to get into the team. Royals might regret the decision of once again buying the Saurashtra bowler at such a high price.
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