The 14th edition of the much-awaited Indian Premier League is set to kick off in mid-April, which in a way casts up new promises, new challenges and new opportunities welcoming the cash-rich T20 Extravaganza to a refreshing 2021 season.
Needless to say, the 2021 Auction beheld some surprising moments of newbies attracting big bucks, while the veterans scuffled away severe to find a sole buyer. Yet after long rounds of a deep appraisal, some were able to find buyers to get hold of a way into this edition of the Indian Premier League.
Howbeit it is dismal that certain players who performed well in the domestic and international circuits will require to warm the bench for the upcoming season.
Here’s a list of players picked up by the franchises, who are expected to play only one game in the forthcoming edition of IPL
1. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
The young mystery bowler from Afghanistan had a dream debut season with KXIP in the 2018 edition. Afghanistan’s right-arm spinner. The young lad had been exceptional in the power plays upholding an impressive economy and scalping 14 wickets in just 11 games.
However, his form dipped in the 2019 edition. After two years of disappointing performance, the rebranded Punjab Kings opted to let go of this young off-spinner.
In the final round of unsold players, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) picked him for an amount of INR 1.5 crore for the 2021 edition of the T20 Championship.
Though the 19-year-old managed to find a buyer in the form of SRH, it is very unlikely that he will be offered a chance to feature in the playing 11. Sunrisers have plenty of Foreign Contingents contending for the 4 available slots. Thus, Mujeeb must find time to recoup himself at the Hyderabad franchise, provided if he proves, could get a game in the upcoming edition of IPL.
2. Arjun Tendulkar
The cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun Tendulkar has been the talk of the town ever since he was picked up by Mumbai Indians in the 2021 Mini- Auction. Despite having a tough time in domestic circuits, Arjun Tendulkar registered for the current edition of IPL’s auction. At his base price of 20L, he was snapped up by the five-time champions Mumbai Indians.
Arjun’s way to the Indian Premier League had aroused many cliché controversies- tampering with the term ‘Nepotism’. Critics apart, nevertheless the young lad from Mumbai has a lot to promise to find a place in the playing 11. Thus, it is safe to assume that Arjun Tendulkar may not get enough opportunities since the Mumbai Franchise is already designated with its playing eleven.
3. Harbhajan Singh
The 2021 Auction saw some unforeseen and heinous moments. One such was the Cricket Spin Maestro Bhajji getting unsold at the first rounds of the auction. However, in the last round, Kolkata Knight Riders turned up to bid for this 41-year-old specialist spinner.
Had it not been for the age factor, Bhajji would have been come by a number of buyers. Harbhajan was part of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2020 but withdrew from the league due to personal reasons. This long lag of playtime urged the Chennai based franchise to release him ahead of the IPL auction 2021. However, his timely experience with the ball, helped him to find a buyer. Though Harbhajan might not get a chance to play for Kolkata in every league game, his presence would pay the bills and turn out the fortunes for Kolkata knight riders.
4. Tom Curran
The English speedster Tom Curran had a vapid outing with Rajasthan Royals in the previous edition of IPL. His days in previous editions had been like ebbs and flows and is yet to make a mark in this cash-rich T20 Extravaganza.
Tom Curran was released by RR ahead of the 14th edition of IPL auction. The youngster went under the hammer during the IPL auction 2021. Despite the odds, he initiated a bidding war between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals. Moments following a battle, Delhi had the last laugh by securing his services for a whopping 5.25 crores. But for Delhi Capitals, who retained their core from the last year, hands out an uncertainty to Tom Curran’s inclusion in the playing 11.
5. Ben Cutting
The buoyant memory of Ben Cutting’s epic knock in the 2016 edition of IPL can be hardly forgotten. The Aussie Allrounder had a gilt-edged season with the Orange Army where he was adjusted as the man of the match in the grand finale against RCB.
The 2018 edition saw him switching the sides, and since then he lacked hope to give a comeback to this grand T20 Championship. He went unsold the previous year, and this time he was lucky enough to find a buyer in the form of KKR. The Kolkata-based franchise bought him at this base price of 75 lakhs. But howbeit, the allrounder is unlikely to find a chair in the playing eleven, due to the strong contention among the likes of Pat Cummins, Shakib and Russell.
