IPL 2018: Top-5 Value for Money players

In this year's IPL, there were some standout performances by the usual suspects. These include Virat Kohli, Sunil Narine and MS Dhoni. All these players were retained before the auction and were the highest paid players in the tournament.

On the other hand, there were players who commanded massive amounts of money during the auction. Some of the players who were sold at exorbitant prices include the likes of Ben Stokes, Jayadev Unadkat, and Manish Pandey. When such amounts are paid, players are expected to play match-winning innings for their respective teams. However, many costly players disappointed this season.

Now coming to the last category where teams try to utilize their resources and buy players at a bargain. When such players play above expectations, it is a delight for the team management, and it is money well spent.

During the tournament, there were a few bargain players who surprised everyone with their performances and let the world know that they were more valuable than the price at which they were brought.

Here is the list of 5 Value for Money players in this year's IPL:

---

#5 Deepak Chahar - 80 lakhs

Deepak Chahar was one of the uncapped fast bowlers who caught everyone's attention during the tournament. He was so influential in the powerplay that in his absence (injury), there was no other Indian bowler who could fill in his spot. MS Dhoni was wise in using him, as Chahar usually bowled his quota of overs before the 10th over.

At 80 lakhs, every time he performs well, he makes you go wow. When you compare the price that CSK paid for him with the likes of Unadkat, Mohit Sharma, it seems like peanuts. Those players were overpaid and under delivered in this year's IPL.

Deepak Chahar played 12 matches and picked up ten wickets at an impressive economy rate of around 7.25. He did not allow batsmen to score runs freely in the powerplay and helped Chennai to keep the opposition in check.

#4 Ambati Rayadu - 2.2 crores

Ambati Rayadu

Ambati Rayadu surprised everyone with his consistency and clean hitting at the top. He, along with Shane Watson, combined to help CSK get off to flying starts. He is one of the only two Indians to score a century in this year's IPL.

Contrast his IPL price to that of Suryakumar Yadav and Nitish Rana - both of them went for around 3.5 crores - while Rayadu was picked up at 2.2 crores. The impact that he made for the yellow team makes his price very reasonable.

With over 600 runs in 16 matches, he was one of the key players in the Chennai Super Kings squad. He was a true team player as he gave up his preferred position as an opener to Du Plessis and settled in the middle order. Rayadu's impressive IPL performance meant that he earned a call-up in the national team.

#3 Shakib Al Hassan - 2 crores

Shakib Al Hassan

One of the best all-rounders in the world, Shakib Al Hassan was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad at just two crores during the auctions. Many teams would feel that they made a mistake by not going after the Bangladeshi all-rounder as he was a standout performer with both bat and all.

With the bat, he was one of the key players in the middle order and scored 239 runs at a strike-rate of over 120. His bowling was mighty impressive as he picked up 14 wickets at an economy rate of 8. He came to bowl at crucial junctures and stemmed the run flow.

When you consider other all-rounders like Krunal and Stokes who were brought for 8.8 crores and 12.5 crores respectively, Shakib was a more valuable buy.

#2 Lungi Ngidi - 50 lakhs

Lungi Ngidi's bowling was exceptional in the knockout games

In the first half of the tournament, Lungi Ngidi did not get a single opportunity to play for CSK and had to warm the bench. When Chennai Super Kings bowling was leaking runs at the death overs, the team management decided to give Ngidi a chance to prove his mettle.

The South African fast bowler was at his devastating best and put up some splendid performances in the limited opportunities that he got. In the match against Punjab, he produced figures of 4-1-10-4 and single-handedly helped CSK win the match.

In the seven matches that he played, he picked up 11 wickets at an economy rate of just 6. His bowling in the powerplay was jaw-dropping as he managed to bowl maidens by hitting accurate lengths. At the death, his pinpoint yorkers meant that batsman struggled to hit him out of the park.

#1 Kane Williamson - 3 crores

Kane Williamson was the highest scorer in this year's IPL

When Kane Williamson was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for 3 crores, there were murmurs all around if he would get a chance to be a part of the playing XI. David Warner's absence meant that he was appointed the captain and the New Zealander justified the faith shown by the team management by leading the Orange Army to the IPL finals.

Kane Williamson was in sublime touch throughout the IPL and grabbed the Orange Cap with 735 runs in 17 matches. The stylish right-hander showed everyone that even playing orthodox shots can also make you a dangerous player in the shortest format.

His captaincy coupled with his batting form was a revelation in the tournament. At his price, he definitely was the steal of the tournament.