IPL 2020: Rating the performances of the 5 most expensive buys in this year's auction

The auction for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) now seems like a distant memory, and the world has undergone unprecedented change since the event took place in December 2019.

Cricket, like most other fields, was put on hold, while IPL 2020 was postponed and then shifted to the UAE. It was certainly worth the wait, though, and India's premier tournament has provided unmatched entertainment in the first two weeks of action.

---

Rating the performances of the 5 most expensive IPL 2020 buys

Teams constructed their squads with an IPL taking place in India in mind, and the venue shift to the UAE has affected some of them. We attempt to rate the performances of the auction's 5 most expensive players in IPL 2020 so far.

Note: All monetary amounts in this article are in INR. The first 16 matches of IPL 2020 have been taken into consideration for this article.

---

#5 Nathan Coulter-Nile (8 crores) - N/A

Nathan Coulter-Nile has found himself on the MI bench in IPL 2020

A player who was bought for a whopping 8 crores in the IPL 2020 auction, Nathan Coulter-Nile has warmed the MI bench so far and is yet to play a game for the 4-time champions in this year's tournament.

The Australian has been ostracised due to the excellent performances of his countryman James Pattinson and Kiwi left-armer Trent Boult, and the former has even contributed slightly with the bat in hand. Coulter-Nile is unlikely to get a game in the near future, but as the tracks in the UAE slow down, he still might have a role to play for MI in IPL 2020.

The all-rounder hasn't done anything to warrant a rating.

Who will win todays IPL match, click here to find out.

---

#4 Sheldon Cottrell (8.5 crores) - 7.5/10

Sheldon Cottrell has been excellent barring one over [PC: iplt20.com]

Barring one over which was hit for 30 runs by a rampaging Rahul Tewatia, Sheldon Cottrell has been one of the more consistent performers in IPL 2020. As part of a threadbare pace attack that is heavily dependent on both him and Mohammed Shami, the West Indian has consistently provided breakthroughs in the powerplay.

Cottrell has 8 wickets in 4 games at an average of 18.83 and a strike rate of 14, and these figures would be even better were it not for the fateful game against the Rajasthan Royals. The left-arm pacer is a key component of KL Rahul's side, and his impact will only increase as IPL 2020 progresses.

Click here to see IPL 2020 points table.

---

#3 Chris Morris (10 crores) - N/A

Chris Morris hasn't played a game yet for RCB in IPL 2020

After being bought for 10 crores in the IPL 2020 auction, Chris Morris was expected to be the man to finally solve RCB's death-bowling woes. However, the South African suffered a side strain and was left out of the side for their first 4 games.

Recently, RCB have fielded Isuru Udana and Adam Zampa as their overseas bowling options, and while the former has impressed to a certain extent, the Aussie leg-spinner has been on the expensive side. With Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal in excellent form, we could see Morris make a return to the RCB playing XI in IPL 2020, subject to his fitness.

The all-rounder will add great value to a side that has already won 3 out of their first 4 IPL 2020 games.

---

#2 Glenn Maxwell (10.75 crores) - 3/10

Glenn Maxwell has had a nightmare start to his IPL 2020 campaign

One of the biggest let-downs in IPL 2020 so far, Glenn Maxwell has failed the replicate even a quarter of the blistering form he showed in the 2014 edition of the tournament in the UAE. Despite coming into IPL 2020 on the back of a hundred against England in an ODI, the Australian has scored only 30 runs in 4 games at an average of 10 and a strike rate of 81.08.

Maxwell hasn't gotten too many opportunities to spend time in the middle due to the Orange Cap-winning form of captain KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, but when he has gotten to bat, he has looked scratchy and far from convincing. Unsurprisingly, KXIP have won only 1 of their 4 IPL 2020 games and are placed 7th on the points table.

The all-rounder's place in the team is under question due to KXIP's bowling woes and the fact that Chris Gayle is on the bench, but given the large sum that they shelled out for him, the team should persist with him for a few more games at least.

---

#1 Pat Cummins (15.5 crores) - 5.5/10

Pat Cummins has blown hot and cold in IPL 2020

In the 4 games that Pat Cummins, who is the most expensive overseas player in the history of the IPL auction, has played, he has been woeful and unplayable in equal measure.

The Australian spearhead started off his IPL 2020 campaign by conceding 49 runs in 3 overs against the Mumbai Indians, but followed it up with two convincing, economical spells against the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Rajasthan Royals. However, he had another poor outing yesterday, where he was taken to the cleaners by the Delhi Capitals in Sharjah.

Cummins has contributed with the bat to a certain degree as well, and even hit Jasprit Bumrah for 4 sixes in an over. But it is clear that he has to do a lot more to justify his enormous price tag.