IPL Auctions 2019: Best purchase by each team

This year’s auction was more strategic than ever before with teams clearly having their own strategy. Franchises needed to select players based on their availability for the next season. This meant that franchises were wiling to pay a lot more for uncapped players. This saw unknown talents like Varun Chakravarthy (8.4 crores) and Shivam Dube (5 crores) receive huge bids.

Franchises made a lot of smart decisions regarding their purchases, but each franchise clearly has one standout player among the list of players purchased. Let’s take a look at the best purchase from each team.

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Royal Challengers Bangalore - Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer

As expected, RCB went all in when purchasing Shimron Hetmyer. They spent 4.2 crores to get the West Indian batsman and were probably willing to spend more. For the past few seasons, RCB didn’t have much depth in their batting especially after AB de Villiers’ wicket.

Shimron Hetmyer can fill that void quite comfortably. He showed what he is capable of during West India’s tour of India where he scored an aggressive century and followed it up with an even more aggressive knock of 94.

Hetmyer’s name will probably be one of the first names to come up when RCB team management are selecting their playing XI. He will have a crucial role to play in the middle order if RCB are to lift the coveted trophy. He could very well bat at number 4 for his team.

Sunrisers Hyderabad - Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow is just one of three players purchased by Sunrisers Hyderabad this year. Jonny Bairstow has been in good form for England this past year that has seen him earn an IPL contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He will most probably make his debut for SRH in their opening. Bairstow can play the role of an opener in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan or he can play the role of a finisher. Other notable buys for SRH include Martin Guptill, Wriddhiman Saha.

Rajasthan Royals - Jaydev Unadkat

Jaydev Unadkat

Jaydev Unadkat turned a lot of heads at last year’s auction when he was sold for over 11 crore to Rajasthan Royals. This year was no different for the Indian pacer as he was sold for 8.4 crores to the same team.

This was considered a questionable decision on the part of RR since Unadkat wasn’t quite fruitful for them last year. Undakat’s current form in the domestic season could be a reason why he was such an expensive purchase for Rajasthan Royals. However, only time will tell whether this price is justified.

Kings XI Punjab - Moises Henriques

Moises Henriques

Kings XI Punjab had the biggest purse going into the IPL auctions. KXIP were quite busy at the auctions purchasing players like Sarfaraz Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Sam Curran, Mohammed Shami. However, their best purchase this year is Moises Henriques. The Australian all-rounder has played in the IPL before and has done quite well for himself.

KXIP will be hoping that Henriques can replicate his previous performances this year. He will prove crucial for them (KXIP) and could bat at either number 3 or number 4. He will also proved quite useful with the ball and could be used to bowl a few good overs for them.

Delhi Capitals - Colin Ingram

Colin Ingram

Just like Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Capitals also walked into the IPL auctions with a huge purse. Delhi Capitals are normally used to making some rash decision at the auction table, but this year there could be some method to their madness. Keeping in mind that tournament could be held in South Africa, they reeled in South African T20 specialist Colin Ingram. This was a smart purchase for DC. Ingram has played in the IPL for Delhi before, but he wasn’t successful.

This year Delhi will need to rely heavily on Colin Ingram especially in the absence of Glenn Maxwell. Ingram has been in good form this year and DC will be banking on him to lead their team all the way to their first IPL title.

Kolkata Knight Riders - Carlos Brathwaite

Carlos Brathwaite

Kolkata Knight Riders were more focused on quality rather than quantity. Earlier on in the auctions, KKR broke the bank to sign West Indian all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite for 5 crores. This is, therefore, their most notable purchase.

Brathwaite has played in the IPL before but has failed to garner much attention. This year, it remains to be seen whether he will feature in the playing XI considering that they (KKR) already have a big-hitting all-rounder like Andre Russell. At best, it looks like Brathwaite will play second fiddle to Russell this year.

Mumbai Indians - Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh

There was a lot of speculation regarding Yuvraj Singh. He hasn’t had any noteworthy performances in recent memory. Hence, he went unsold in the initial round of the auctions. Luckily for him, he was selected by Mumbai Indians the second time his name went under the hammer.

However, Yuvraj was purchased for lot less when compared to some of the uncapped players who managed to draw in big bucks. He will have a huge point to prove to the other franchises, but he will most likely struggle to find any place in the playing XI. Mumbai Indians already have a well-balanced side and Yuvraj will have to fight to find his way into the playing XI.

Chennai Super Kings - Mohit Sharma

Mohit Sharma

Chennai Super Kings decided to retain their core that saw them win the IPL trophy last year. Hence, they went into the auctions with the smallest purse. They spent only 5 crores and purchased Mohit Sharma.

Mohit makes his return to CSK where he had a good run last time. He could prove crucial in solving CSK’s death over woes. His variations will play a huge role in helping CSK win the coveted title for the fourth time.