Disappointments are a part and parcel of the world’s most watches domestic t20 league. Every year there are a few players who just don’t live up to their price tags and here is a list of few:
1) Glenn Maxwell in 2013:
Popularly known as the billion-dollar baby in 2013, the Mumbai Indians chose the Australian for his hard getting abilities and part-time bowling but he was benched for the first nine matches of the tournament and made only three appearances that season. More than his shortcomings, the franchise couldn’t fit the $1 million buy into their lineup and Maxwell ended up scoring only 36 runs in the 23 balls he faced in three games.
2) Tymal Mills in 2017:
The Royal Challengers Bangalore spent a whopping amount- Rs12 crore to sign this quick bowler but his fitness marred all their expectations. Mills bowled pretty ordinarily in the five matches he played and was able to bag only three wickets. “It’s a little bit tough, but don’t put yourself in it if you’re scared of being humiliated or embarrassed. If you don’t get picked. It’s just the way it is. I’ve felt the good and the bad of the auction, I was obviously the belle of the ball last year and this year I wasn’t involved. That’s okay. We’re all big boys and we have got take the rough with the smooth,” as Tymal spoke of the auctions in 2018.
3) Jaydev Unadkat in 2019:
One of the greatest disappointments of IPL 2019 was Jaydev Unadkat, who was signed by the Rajasthan Royals for Rs 8.4 crore. Unadkat played 10 matches and picked 11 wickets at an unacceptable economy rate of 10.66 rpo. None of the 11 games justified the big price tag as the Rajasthan Royals’ management just looked helpless by the end of the tournament. The fast bowler’s continuous failures led to him being released ahead of the 2020 auctions.
4) Shimron Hetmyer in 2019:
The left-handed hard hitter attracted franchises after his terrific performance in the subcontinent where he slammed 259 runs in 5 ODI’s including 16 sixes in one match to draw scores with India’s 321. However, when the West Indies player was signed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 4.8 crore, he managed to only disappoint the franchise with 17 runs in the first four games and was dropped. His 75 against Sunrisers Hyderabad was the only innings worth the price tag.
5) D’Arcy Short in 2018:
The Big Bash League in 2017-18 was just the left-handed opener’s peak tournament where he slammed 572 runs at a strike rate of 148.57. The Rajasthan Royals set an eye for him and ended up signing this Aussie for Rs 4 crore. But all the hype around Short fizzled out when he managed only 115 runs in seven matches. He seemed to be uncomfortable to clear the ropes and hence failed to provide flying starts in any match
