IPL Auction 2019: 5 foreigners with low base price who fetched big money

Sherfane Rutherford

December 18th proved to be a life-changing day for plenty of cricketers as the IPL 2019 Auction came to a conclusion at Jaipur. All the eight IPL franchises entered the event with a specific player in their minds, and it was a cash frenzy. The Indian players benefitted the most as a few unknown faces saw their bank accounts skyrocket into crores. The overseas players were not keenly pursued as the World Cup shortened their season participation.

While the Auction clearly belonged to the Indian players, there were a few foreign players who became millionaires in a few minutes. The West Indian flavour was expected to dominate the proceedings and it did. The innate T20 skills and full availability helped the Caribbean superstars earn a fat cheque. To their advantage, the Windies players had set a lower base price as well.

Here are five overseas players who had a low base-price but fetched a final price that was in multiples.

(All amounts are in INR)

#5 Sherfane Rutherford (Base price: 40 Lakhs)

The 20-year old Guyanese batsman impressed everyone with his exploits in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). His standout knock was one where he struck 45 from 13 balls to help chase down the target of 155 in just 14.1 overs. Rutheford had earlier scored 134 from 66 balls in the Global T20 Canada. He was also outstanding in the recent T10 league.

The batsman walked into the auction with a low base price of 40 Lakhs. It was the Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders who bid outrageously for Rutherford. The amount finally settled down to two crores when Kolkata Knight Riders could no longer afford him. The Windies batsman will play for Delhi Capitals in the 2019 IPL.

Rutherford will be plying his trade alongside Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant and Colin Ingram in the upcoming season. The explosive left-hander will provide a new dimension to the rechristened side.

Sold for: Rs. 2 Cr

#4 Shimron Hetmyer (Base price: 50 Lakhs)

Shimron Hetmyer

Coming into the IPL 2019 Auction, the greatest buzz was around Shimron Hetmyer’s name in the overseas category. The Windies right-hand batsman had dazzled with his free-flowing strokes and power that he could smack them with. What worked immensely in his favour was the Windies tour of India which concluded recently.

After witnessing Hetmyer’s destructive capability first-hand, there was a little doubt amongst franchises whether to go for him or not. His low base price of 50 Lakhs aided him as well. As many as five franchises showed interest in the 21-year old Guyanese batsman. Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals began the initial bidding.

Rajasthan Royals entered in the fray post 85 Lakhs and Delhi Capitals fell away. Kings XI Punjab kept pursuing Hetmyer but it was Royal Challengers Bangalore who swooped him away with the final and decisive bid of 4.2 crores. We will now see Hetmyer lighting up the Chinnaswamy Stadium in presence of Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers.

Sold for: Rs. 4.2 Cr

#3 Oshane Thomas (Base price: 50 Lakhs)

Oshane Thomas

A fast bowler is an immensely valued entity in the T20 cricket. A bowler who can bowl in the power play and keep the batsmen under pressure in the death overs is worth his weight in the gold. Oshane Thomas, the speedster from Jamaica, who can do exactly these things. The 21-year old shot to prominence with his express pace spells in the CPL and continued soaring high in the national colors.

Starting from the base price of 50 Lakhs, two IPL franchises were extremely serious in availing the services of Oshane Thomas. Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals fought tooth and nail to secure him. The Caribbean fast bowler was ultimately pouched for 1.10 crores by Rajasthan Royals.

With Oshane Thomas, Rajasthan Royals now have a fearsome pace bowling attack. They bought Jaydev Unadkat back, and they already have Jofra Archer in their ranks. The youngster Thomas will be a player to watch out for in the IPL 2019.

Sold for: Rs. 1.10 Cr

#2 Nicholas Pooran (Base price: 75 Lakhs)

Nicholas Pooran

The 23-year old swashbuckler ensured his big ticket to the IPL when he struck a fabulous 53 from 25 balls against India in the last T20I match of the recent Windies tour. Pooran in 2017 was a part of the Mumbai Indians squad but could not crack in the system. After the Indian tour, Pooran lit up the T10 league with stunning knocks which played a great part in strengthening his IPL claim.

Nicholas Pooran started with a slightly higher base price of 75 Lakhs. However, there was no lack of enthusiasm among the franchises to have him on-board. As many as three franchises began the bidding process for Pooran. After an early bid from Delhi Capitals, the war waged between Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The Punjab franchise eventually clinched the deal with a bid of 4.2 crores. They already have the Universe Boss in Chris Gayle. Another left-hand Caribbean batsman who can strike big is a great plus to have. Pooran can keep the wickets as well which can free up another spot for the team.

Sold for: Rs. 4.2 Cr

#1 Carlos Brathwaite (Base price: 75 Lakhs)

Carlos Brathwaite

The Windies T20 Captain was released by his previous franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad for the IPL 2019 season. The move surprised everyone as Brathwaite is a destructive batsman and also very capable with the ball. He walked into this auction with a base price of 75 Lakhs.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab engaged in the bidding war to obtain the services of Carlos Brathwaite. The replies for the bid kept coming in quickly, and Brathwaite soon crossed the four crores mark. Kolkata Knight Riders eventually confirmed Brathwaite’s spot for a fee of five crores.

Playing at Eden Gardens will revive Brathwaite’s finest moment in the career so far. It was here that the all-rounder smashed four sixes in the last over of the 2016 T20I World Cup final to hand Windies the world title. Brathwaite will now take the field alongside his Caribbean mates Andre Russell and Sunil Narine.

Sold for: Rs. 5 Cr