'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The two-day marathon Player Auctions for the 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League, where 578 Indian and overseas players were vying for 182 slots, was an interesting affair.
As expected, there were a lot of surprises on day two, as some of the well-established names could not find any takers and some lesser-known players got away with flashy price tags.
It produced some interesting talking points as star players like Joe Root, Lasith Malinga, Dale Steyn and Shaun Marsh remained unsold, while Jayadev Unadkat, K Gowtham and Andrew Tye attracted colossal bids.
Now, let us have a look at the hits and misses from day 2 of the auction that has set the tone for the 11th edition of the T20 tournament to be held from 7 April to 27 May.
Hit: Chris Gayle
It is almost impossible to imagine a T20 tournament without Chris Gayle, still, the quintessential T20 player had no takers on day one and early on day two, but, he was brought back to the bidding table for the third time and was bought by Kings XI Punjab for his base price of INR 2 crore.
It was being assumed that another fat paycheck was awaiting Gayle at the IPL 2018 Auction but, in a surprising turn of events, the biggest star of the league's first decade struggled to make it to this year's tournament.
With 265 maximums to his name, the 38-year-old holds the record of hitting the most number of sixes in IPL history.
Overall, in 101 IPL matches, Gayle has scored 3,626 runs, including five tons, the most by any batsman.
Miss: Andrew Tye
Australian paceman Andrew Tye, who claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in the final ODI against England on Sunday, was picked up for a staggering INR 7.2 crore by Kings XI Punjab in the IPL auction on the same day.
The 31-year-old tall pacer had a sensational 2017 as he picked up three hat-tricks in T20 cricket.
Tye has been a star in the BBL for the Perth Scorchers and because of his recent exploits, he started a fierce bidding war between the Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab.
Although Tye looks like a bright prospect, he will have to be exceptional during IPL 11 to justify his price tag.
Miss: K Gowtham
Rajasthan Royals shelled out a whopping INR 6.20 crore as they picked up Karnataka all-rounder K Gowtham, paying 31 times his base price of INR 20 lakh.
Gowtham has had an outstanding domestic season for Karnataka, picking up 34 wickets and a season-high score of 149 in an innings against Assam in Ranji Trophy but it has been a huge gamble on Rajasthan's part to pay such a huge amount for an uncapped player.
“I was watching the auctions with my family. It feels great (landing a deal) but more than that, I’m glad the teams have watched me closely and followed my performances throughout the season," Gowtham said.
Hit: Nathan Coulter-Nile
Royal Challengers Bangalore made a valuable addition to their already-glittering squad when they added Nathan Coulter-Nile for INR 2.2 crore.
The Australian pacer, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2017 will be hoping to put his injury woes behind him after being selected by RCB.
The Perth Scorchers strike bowler has been ruled out of the entire Big Bash League series and he could use this time to recover and be fully prepared for the IPL.
Hit: Washington Sundar
Royal Challengers Bangalore acquired the services of the promising 18-year-old all-rounder Washington Sundar for INR 3.2 crore in IPL Auction 2018.
The Tamil Nadu player had made his international debut against Sri Lanka last year during the three-match T20I series.
After being unsold during the 2017 auctions, Sundar was recruited by Rising Pune Supergiant as a replacement for injured Ravichandran Ashwin.
During the Qualifier against Mumbai Indians, Sundar dismissed Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu and ensured that the Steve Smith-led side made it to the final of IPL 10.
Miss: Jaydev Unadkat
Rajasthan Royals made left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat the most expensive Indian player in the IPL Auction 2018 by paying him INR 11.50 crore.
Unadkat leapfrogged KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab) and Manish Pandey (Sunrisers Hyderabad), who bagged INR 11 crore contracts each on day one.
Unadkat is the second most expensive buy this year after England all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was also bought by Rajasthan for INR 12.50 crore.
In 2017 Unadkat was bought by the Rising Pune Supergiant for INR 30 lakh and he ended up claiming 24 wickets in IPL 10.
Although the left-arm pacer, who took a hat-trick against Sunrisers Hyderabad, was quite impressive last season, his extravagant price tag is unfathomable.
Hit: JP Duminy
Mumbai Indians made a sensible purchase in the form of South African middle-order batsman JP Duminy for his base price of INR 1 crore.
Duminy, who is renowned for his stylish batting, smashed 37 runs in one over in a List A match for his team the Cape Cobras in a game against the Knights earlier this month.
The IPL veteran ensured his place in history as he became the recorded the second-most runs in an over of List A cricket.
Hit: Evin Lewis
Mumbai Indians made a fine purchase early on day two when they picked the hard-hitting West Indies batsman Evin Lewis for INR 3.4 crore.
Lewis is one of the five players to have scored more than one T20I century. His career strike rate in T20 cricket is 146.06 from 84 matches.
The 26-year-old left-hander from Trinidad & Tobago, who had an impressive 2017, is an attacking opening batsman and has the ability to send the ball into the third tiers of the stands.
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download CricRocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more! 🚀☄️
