IPL 2018: 5 cheap buys from last year who received big bids this time

The Indian Premier League (IPL) not only an amalgamation of the best talents in the world with the Indian cricketers, it is also a platform where the raw, hidden talents can claim fame. The IPL auction brings out varieties of response, some being sad, others being overwhelmingly ecstatic.

While some players such as Pawan Negi have received hard blows in the past, from being millionaires to being sold for near base price, some players have seen their price rise exponentially. In this list, we look at five players who will be getting a fat pay cheque this year but were a lot cheaper last year.

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#5 Rahul Tewatia (Delhi Daredevils)

The 24-year-old all-rounder from Haryana was bought by Delhi Daredevils this year, for a hefty price tag of Rs. 3 crores. However, Tewatia was sold to the Kings XI Punjab last year for just Rs. 25 lakhs, which means his price has increased 12 times.

Tewatia got only three chances in last year's IPL, in which he picked up 3 wickets. But his most impressive stat is his economy rate, which was less than 6 runs per over, something that is extremely rare in T20 cricket. Moreover, his career economy rate in T20s is less than 7, hence the Daredevils management found it hard to let him join any other team.

#4 Navdeep Saini (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Navdeep Saini

The pacer from Delhi was roped in by his local team last year, for just his base price of Rs. 10 lakhs. DD bought him just to add depth to their squad, and hence he didn't get any chance to showcase his talent ahead of the likes of Shami and Rabada.

He will play for the Royal Challengers Bangalore this time around and will receive a cheque that will feature an amount 30 times more than this last IPL cheque.

Owing to his outstanding performances in the domestic circuit, the bowling mentor of RCB Ashish Nehra went all guns blazing to get his signature. After a fierce bidding war, Saini was finally sold to Virat Kohli's team for Rs. 3 crores. He has an impressive T20 economy rate of just over 6.

#3 Krishnappa Gowtham (Rajasthan Royals)

Krishnappa Gowtham

Though the all-rounder from Tamil Nadu wasn't particularly 'cheap' last year, the amount he bagged this eyes surely raised quite a few eyebrows. Gowtham was a part of the champions Mumbai Indians last year, who roped in the 29-year-old for Rs. 2 crores. However, Gowtham didn't get a chance to play his first IPL game.

But he will get a chance this year, as Rajasthan Royals spent Rs. 6.2 crores to get the owner of 20 T20 wickets in their team. Gowtham's economy rate is just over 7 runs per over and can offer some shots when needed, which is glorified by his T20 strike rate of over 150. With no renowned international spinners in their team, Gowtham is expected to lead Rajasthan's spin department.

#2 Rahul Tripathi (Rajasthan Royals)

Rahul Tripathi

When Rising Pune Supergiant bought Rahul Tripathi last year for his base price of Rs. 10 lakhs, nobody expected him to play a single match unless the other openers were injured.

But Tripathi got a chance and he was wise enough to grab the opportunity with both his hands. The captain of Maharashtra played 14 games last year and scored 391 runs at an impressive strike rate of just under 150.

Owing to his great run of form in the IPL as well as in the domestic circuit, Rajasthan Royals bought him and he might be a great option to open the innings alongside Ajinkya Rahane. RR shelled out Rs. 3.4 crores in doing so, which means Tripathi's salary increased 34 folds.

#1 Jaydev Unadkat (Rajasthan Royals)

Jaydev Unadkat

The left-arm quick from Porbandar is not someone who came out of the blue and rose to fame last year. He has been in the circuit for quite some time now, playing in the IPL every year since 2010.

However, last year was when he showed what he is truly capable of doing. Bought by Rising Pune Supergiant for just Rs. 30 lakhs, Unadkat scalped 24 wickets in 12 games, at an average of 13.41. His economy rate of 7 runs per over was equally impressive.

Unadkat got his reward this year, not only in the form of the Indian jersey but also in a pay cheque that might baffle many. In an auction where regular members of the Indian team like Shikhar Dhawan and Manish Pandey went under the hammer, Unadkat became the costliest Indian player, bagging a contract of Rs. 11.5 crores from Rajasthan Royals.