IPL Auction 2018: 5 biggest steals from day one

The first day of the 2018 IPL auction saw the eight teams competing for a number of Indian and International players. IPL auctions are more unpredictable than the league itself. They have changed the future of a number of players and we can expect the trend to continue this year as well.

The auction, as usual, threw up surprises with a number of reputed international players going unsold and a number of inexperienced players going for a huge price. Let us have a look at five of the best bargain buys from the opening day of the auction.

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#5 Imran Tahir - 1 crore

Imran Tahir had started this year's auction at a base price of 1 crore. He was bought by Chennai Super Kings at his base price itself.

The South African has been sensational in IPL picking wickets for all the teams he has played. He has played in 32 matches and has picked up 47 wickets at an average of and a brilliant strike rate of 15.

The leg-spinner has been a great asset to his national team as well in the shorter formats of the game. He is a brilliant wicket-taker who adds value to his team and to get him at such a low price is indeed a steal.

#4 Shakib Al Hasan - 2 crores

Shakib was an extremely useful player for KKR

Shakib Al Hasan had a base price of 1cr against his name at the beginning of the auction. He was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad at a price of 2 crores.

The Bangladeshi player is among the premier all-rounders in world cricket at present. He has picked up 43 wickets at an economy of 7.1 and has scored 498 runs at a strike rate of 131 in 43 matches.

The all-rounder played the finisher role in batting and bowled some important overs in the middle for KKR before. He has been an important contributor and was instrumental in taking the Kolkata side to championship victories in 2012 and 2014. Getting Shakib at 2 crores is something which the SRH management can be proud of.

#3 Quinton de Kock - 2.8 crores

De Kock is a destructive keeper batsman at the top

Quinton De Kock was priced at 2 crores at the beginning of the auction. He was bought by the Royal Challengers of Bangalore at a price of 2.8 crores.

The South African has been a sensational talent who has gone on to play for his national side. He has performed well for his IPL team as well scoring 726 runs in 26 matches at an average of 30 and a strike rate of 133.

Quinton, being a wicket-keeper batsman, is a huge asset to any side. He also opens the batting which makes him even more useful. He has a strike rate of 133 and has a century to his name as well in IPL. To get him at such a low price is indeed a great gain for RCB.

#2 Ajinkya Rahane - 4 crores

Rahane has played for Royals in the previous seasons

Ajinkya Rahane had a base price of 2 crores at the beginning of the auction. He was bought by Rajasthan Royals at 4 Crs using their RTM card.

The Indian batsman has played for Rajasthan Royals before and has performed exceedingly well in IPL amassing 3057 runs in 111 matches at a brilliant average of 34. He has also scored a century for Rajasthan Royals.

Rahane is an opening batsman and is hence a valuable commodity for any team. He has also been extremely consistent over the years. At 4 crores, Rahane is definitely a steal for Rajasthan Royals.

#1 Colin Munro - INR 1.9 crores

Munro is a huge addition for any T20 outfit

Colin Munro had a price of 50 lakhs against his name at the beginning of the auction. He was bought by the Delhi Daredevils at the price of 1.9 crores.

The New Zealand cricketer has played in 154 T20 matches across the globe and has scored 3486 runs at an average of 30 and a brilliant strike rate of 147 in various leagues and has 4 centuries to his name.

The opener has been even better for the New Zealand team in international cricket scoring 947 runs in 38 matches at a good average of 33 and a stupendous strike rate of 161. Munro is a power hitter who is in the pink of his form and to get him at 1.9 crores is one of the biggest steals across all IPL auctions.