IPL 2020: Top 5 bargain buys from the auction 

IPL Auction 2020 is in the history books now as all the franchises have filled up the gaps in their respective squads. The Australian duo of Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell emerged as the most expensive players with the former breaking the record for the most expensive overseas signing in IPL history. Besides, South African all-rounder Chris Morris also fetched a big deal in the auction.

In every IPL auction, the fans have witnessed that some players receive more than the expected amount while some talented players get very few bids. The cricket universe bills the second category of players as bargain buys because the teams invest less and get more. The trend continued in 2020 as there were many players whom the franchises purchased at a bargain price.

This article features the list of the top 5 bargains buys from IPL Auction 2020.

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#5 Chris Lynn - ₹2 Crores

Chris Lynn will play for the Mumbai Indians

T20 Matches - 165, Runs - 4,534, Average - 32.61, Strike Rate - 143.02

Prior to the auction, the fans expected Australian opener Chris Lynn to emerge as the costliest player. Kolkata Knight Riders had bought him for ₹9.60 Crores before they ended their association with the Aussie earlier this year.

Lynn was the first player to go under the hammer in IPL Auction 2020 and surprisingly, only Mumbai Indians submitted a bid for him. The 29-year-old opener will play for the defending champions in IPL 2020 but it will be interesting to see if he gets a game or not because MI already have three openers in their squad namely, Quinton de Kock, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav. In the previous season, Yadav batted at the number three position but he used to open the innings for Mumbai in IPL 2018.

#4 Tom Banton - ₹1 Crore

Tom Banton has become a big name in T20 cricket

T20 Matches - 22, Runs - 727, Average - 36.35, Strike Rate - 158.04

Kolkata Knight Riders strengthened their batting lineup by signing the upcoming English wicket-keeper batsman, Tom Banton. Just like Chris Lynn, the fans predicted Banton to go for an expensive amount in the auction. However, his name came in the second half of the event and, multiple franchises did not have enough funds to enter a bidding war.

Kolkata took advantage of this situation as they signed the 21-year-old explosive opener for his base price. With Sunil Narine and Shubman Gill present in the squad, it is unlikely that Kolkata will include Banton in their first playing XI.

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#3 James Neesham - ₹50 Lakhs

James Neesham is a quality all-rounder

T20 Matches - 114, Runs - 1,615, Wickets - 108, Catches - 36

James Neesham is a complete all-rounder who can turn the game with his brilliance in any department. The Kiwi can play a few big shots in the slog overs and can also bowl vital overs for the team. Besides, Neesham can also make his presence felt on the field with his acrobatic fielding.

He has been a part of two IPL franchises in the past however, the Auckland-born star is yet to make an impact in the league. The 29-year-old has been terrific in 2019 hence, it was astonishing to see only one franchise bid for him. Kings XI Punjab stole his services for just ₹50 Lakhs in the auction.

#2 R. Sai Kishore - ₹20 Lakhs

R. Sai Kishore was the leading wicket-taker in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy

T20 Matches - 22, Wickets - 25, Average - 16.76, Strike Rate - 18.4

Tamil Nadu's left-arm spinner, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore had grabbed the headlines with his magnificent performance in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2019. He led his side's spin bowling attack from the front as he troubled the opposition batsmen with his bowling. His 3/10 against Punjab and 3/18 versus Mumbai had ensured him an IPL contract.

The fans expected Kishore to get a good deal in the auction but apart from his home franchise, Chennai Super Kings, no one showed any interest in him. Sai Kishore has played a lot of cricket in Chennai hence, he will be a major game-changer for them in IPL 2020.

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#1 Chris Green - ₹20 Lakhs

Chris Green was bought at his base price

T20 Matches - 78, Runs - 501, Wickets - 64, Catches - 40

Kolkata Knight Riders have formed one of the best spin bowling attacks in the world by adding Chris Green to the team. They already had two world-class spinners in Kuldeep Yadav and Sunil Narine hence, in IPL 2020, Kolkata would prefer to play on the spin-friendly wickets. South African all-rounder, Green has made a name for himself with his off-break bowling.

The 26-year-old has kept a check on the run flow and his economy rate of 6.71 showcases his talent. Since he had been performing well in the overseas T20 leagues, the cricket universe felt that he may ignite a bidding war in the auction but Kolkata signed him for just ₹20 lakhs at the event.