IPL 2019: Who is each team's best new signing?

The 12th edition of the Indian Premier League is just around the corner. The auction which was held about three months ago will have a big say on how the tournament goes.

A team like Chennai Super Kings made only two new signing as they had released only three players before the auction, while on the other hand, a team like King XI Punjab, purchased a lot of new players due to a high salary cap.

The Mystery spinner from Tamil Nadu; Varun Chakravarthy and left-arm speedster Jaydev Unadkat were the expensive buys of the evening. Some familiar faces like Brendon McCullum and Dale Steyn failed to attract any bidders.

Like most of the previous auctions, there have been bargain buys and some baffling bidding. In this article, we will focus on the best buy made by each franchise.

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#8 Delhi Capitals

Best Buy: Axar Patel

One of the best decisions made by the Delhi Capitals

An Indian all-rounder is always a hot commodity for IPL teams. A player with the quality that Axar Patel possesses, was always going to attract high bids. However, Delhi Capitals brought the left-arm spinner for just ₹5 crores. Axar has 61 wickets in 68 IPL games at an economy rate of 7.52. He has also scored 686 runs with the bat at a strike rate of 127.

A player with these attribute is definitely a great addition to any team. The Gujarat all-rounder can be that dark horse that can help Delhi to clinch their maiden IPL title. With the T20 World Cup coming up in the year 2020, this tournament is a great opportunity for him to secure a spot in the Indian side as the bowling all-rounder.

#7 Kings XI Punjab

Best Buy: Mohammad Shami

This can be the 2nd innings for Mr.2nd Innings

Indian fast bowlers are always a high demand in the IPL, and Jaydev Unadkat becoming the highest paid Indian cricketer for the second consecutive year is a testament to that. To further support this cause, Mohammed Shami was purchased by Kings XI Punjab for a whopping ₹4.8 crores.

A major reason behind Punjab's downfall in previous seasons has been the lack of an Indian pacer to support Andrew Tye. Shami has the capability to lift the burden of the Australian pacer. In the 35 innings that Shami has bowled in the IPL, he has managed only 21 scalps. While his numbers in the IPL are not that great, the experience he brings to the table is invaluable

2019 has been the year of his redemption for Shami in terms of limited overs cricket. In the series against Australia, he made his return to the ODI setup and has secured his spot as the 3rd fast-bowlers of the Indian team for the World Cup. Punjab will hope he carries his form into the T20 league too.

#6 Royal Challengers Bangalore

Best Buy: Heinrich Klaasen

Can he help RCB win the gold?

The lanky wicket-keeper Heinrich Klaasen being bought at just ₹50 lakh is definitely the biggest steal of the auction. The South African is one of the best batsman of spin bowling that his country has produced in recent years, and he has the hitting ability to change the course of the match. His big hitting combined with the short boundaries of Chinnaswamy stadium has the potential to cause serious damage to oppositions teams.

Klaasen might not feature in the first playing XI of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, but might become effective as the tournament progresses. He can be the back-up keeper for Parthiv Patel and can feature as a pure finisher in the middle order.

This type of adaptability and the balance that he brings to the table makes him one of the best buys of the auction.

#5 Mumbai Indians

Best Buy: Quinton De Kock

Will be RCB pay for his absence?

Mumbai Indians were one of the worst teams in the IPL Auction but their best buy came a couple of months before the auction day. The three-time Champions purchased Quinton De Kock from Royal Challengers Bangalore through the IPL trading window.

De Kock is probably one of the best overseas wicket-keeper batsmen at the moment and his recent form makes him a red hot property. He has played a total of 34 matches in the Indian Premier League and has scored more than 900 runs and has one century next to his name.

Last season saw many ex-RCB players performing well in their new team. If this pattern continues, then blue-army will in for a treat.

Mumbai Indians has a problem of plenty at the top as they have credible openers in Surya Kumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Evin Lewis. The team management needs to sort this issue and find a spot for the South African at the top.

#4 Rajasthan Royals

Best Buy: Oshane Thomas

The young sensation from the West Indies

Rajasthan Royals were one team who picked some really buys at the auction. The best buy from the 2008 Champions has to be Oshane Thomas of Jamaica. He is known for bowling at a brisk pace by generating speeds up to 150 kmph. The 22-year old was also the highest wicket-taking pacer in the Carribean Premier League.

While Thomas has the tendency to be erratic with the line and length at times, his ability to bamboozle batsman with sheer pace overshadows his shortcomings. So far, the right-arm pacer has played 21 T20s and scalped 22 wickets at an impressive average of 23.67 and an economy rate of about 8.

One area that Rajasthan Royals struggled last year was the lack of wicket-taking fast-bowlers in the arsenal. Apart from Jofra Archer, none of the bowlers made life tough for batsmen. Thomas might not be economical, but he is one bowler who knows to pick wickets.

#3 Kolkata Knight Riders

Best Buy- Anrich Nortje

Anrich Nortje

Anrich Nortje has to be the best buy that Kolkata Knight Riders has made in this year's IPL auctions. What they lacked last season was a quality overseas fast bowler. Both Mitchell Johnson, and Tom Curran were not as effective as they would have liked them to be.

In the absence of Indian pacers like Kamalesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi, they need an overseas fast-bowler to look after the bowling department of the side. Anrich Nortje can be the perfect guy for this job.

Nortje comes across as a bowler with a lot of experience in South Africa domestic setup with a good record. He has been in good form in recent times which might have prompted the KKR franchise to buy him at his base price of ₹20 Lakhs. This could turn out to be a steal at the end of the season.

#2 Sun Risers Hyderabad

Best Buy- Jonny Bairstow

English Wicket Keeper Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow will be making his debut in the IPL when he takes the field for the Sun Risers Hyderabad. Last year's finalist bought him for a relatively low price of ₹2.2 Crores. Given his recent form in recent times and the ability that he possesses, Bairstow is a definite bargain buy.

If he opens the innings with David Warner, they can form a destructive pair. Bairstow can also bat in the middle order allowing either Wriddhiman Saha or Kane Willamson. He can keep wickets to allow the team to play an extra bowler or a middle order batsman.

Bairstow's presence increases the team's balance by ten-folds. Although his availability could be limited due to international commitment, he is a player to watch out for each team. However, the availability of Martin Guptill ensures they are in safe hands when the Englishman has to leave.

#1 Chennai Super Kings

Best Buy-Mohit Sharma

Mohit will return to CSK

Chennai Super Kings went into the auction needing an Indian fast bowler, and they got Mohit Sharma back for ₹5-crores. While the price seems high, his former stint with CSK makes him a good buy for the team.

Sharma had been a mainstay for CSK in the past and even won the purple cap in one of the seasons. He may not be the same bowler that he was a few seasons ago, but no one knows how to use him better than Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

After all, his rise as a death bowler started when he was with the CSK and they will hope it continues this season too. Dwayne Bravo is not at this best anymore, as it was evident last year and hence they need someone else to take responsibility towards the end of the innings.