The IPL 2020 Auction for the 13th season of the IPL took place on the 19th of December at Kolkata. It was a busy day from quite a few franchises while a few didn’t have much to do. The Auction of the IPL is something that always gives us talking points and there is nothing different this time.
The Australian spearhead, Pat Cummins who was the talk of the town before the auction was the highest-paid player who received 15.5 Crores from the Kolkata Knight Riders. Teams always tend to spend some extra money on the players which they want when it comes to auction.
But every time there a few teams who pick some really good players at cheap prices. On that note, let’s have a look at three cheap and best buys from this auction.
- Chris Lynn (2 CR) – Mumbai Indians
Before the IPL 2020 auction, Chris Lynn was supposed to be one of the top players in this auction. Many experts were suggesting Chris Lynn be one of the top picks in this auction. Lynn with all his hitting abilities would have at least expected a price of 5 Crore for him.
But to everybody’s surprise, Chris Lynn was picked by the Mumbai Indians for just his base price of 2 Crore. It was surprising for many including the owners of Mumbai Indians – Akash Ambani. Akash Ambani in a press conference mentioned that we were surprised to get a player like Lynn for his base price.
Interestingly, he was the first player to go under the hammer on the 19th of December at the IPL 2020 auction. The pitch at Wankhede with bounce on offer would suit a batsman like Chris Lynn. Mumbai Indians were happy that they could strengthen their top-order by picking a player like Lynn for just 2 Crore.
- Chris Woakes (1.5 CR) – Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals went very hard for the Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins at IPL 2020 auction but lost to RCB who eventually lost to KKR. DC couldn’t get Cummins so they had to for other quicks and to their surprise, they got the next player on the list for just 1.5 CR.
Before the auction, Ricky Ponting in an interview on DC’s Instagram handle suggested that Cummins and Woakes get big bucks in this auction. Cummins did get the big money but Woakes went nowhere close to that. According to Ponting’s standards, Woakes would have been a steal for them.
He is a very good pick for the Delhi Capitals as he can bowl up at the front and in the death as well. He can come into bat at No.8 and make some quick runs for his team. A top England cricketer at 1.5 CR is definitely a cheap buy in this auction.
- James Neesham (50 L) – Kings XI Punjab
The rarest commodity among the Indian players are the seam bowling all-rounders, so many teams go for overseas players with the same skill set. KXIP was also targeting for the same kind of a player and they got one for a very cheap price.
James Neesham with his all-round skills has to be the steal of this IPL Auction. We all have seen what he is capable of in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. He was the one who hit that massive six off Jofra Archer’s bowling in that super over. He can bat in the Top 6 and bowl at least three decent overs. Add to that he is a gun in the field. KXIP will be very happy that they have got the cheap and the best buy from this auction.
