IPL XI that is cheaper than Yuvraj Singh

Despite not being a regular in the Indian side, Yuvraj Singh became the IPL's most expensive buy for the second successive auction as he made his way to the Delhi Daredevils for Rs. 16 crores. Only time will tell whether that turns out to be money well spent or an expensive mistake.But one thing is for sure, there are certainly plenty of other players that Delhi could have spent their money on. In fact, they could have bought an entire team with the money they spent on Yuvraj. What would that team look like?Well, here is your answer as I bring to you an XI that could have been bought at the price of Yuvraj:

#1 Michael Hussey (Chennai Super Kings - Rs. 1.5 cr)

Seeing someone who has played for your team for so long, switch to a rival is a difficult pill to swallow. But that is exactly what Chennai fans had to do as Michael Hussey left to play for the Mumbai Indians. Mr. Cricket had a disappointing campaign and averaged just 23 in nine innings for the Mukesh Ambani-owned franchise. But the Australian is back in yellow, where he is the third highest run-scorer for the franchise in IPL history.

If you are looking for a solid opener, who is consistent and can score quickly, there aren't many better than Hussey. Irrespective of the amount of games he might play, you can be sure that his impact will be keenly felt on a franchise looking to end their title drought.

#2 Murali Vijay (Kings XI Punjab - Rs. 3 cr)

Despite not making the squad for the World Cup, there is no denying the fact that Murali Vijay has been the country's premier batsman in Test cricket over the past 18 months. Although he hasn't always had the opportunity to shine in limited overs for India, he has been one of the stars of the IPL.

His six years with Chennai Super Kings showcased a different facet of Vijay's innings as the 31-year-old piled on the runs for the tournament's most successful franchise. His move to Delhi last season didn't reap similar rewards, but he has already started to show what he can add to an already formidably Kings XI batting line up.

#3 Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad - Rs. 60 lakhs)

One of the shrewdest purchasers in the 2015 auction have to be Sunrisers Hyderabad. After finishing sixth last season, Hyderabad have made some brilliant buys in the auction. The best of which has to be their acquisition of Kane Williamson for just Rs. 60 lakhs.

The New Zealand batsman is in the form of his life at the moment and is arguably the world's best No.3 (although Steven Smith and Virat Kohli might have something to say about that) at the moment.

Although his T20 record isn't as good as his ODI or Test record, given the form he has been in, don't be surprised if he finishes near the top in the race for the Orange Cap. The 24-year-old has to be one of the bargains of the tournament and one that might just help propel his team to their first ever final.

#4 Sheldon Jackson (Kolkata Knight Riders - Rs. 15 lakhs)

If you are looking for an in-form wicketkeeper-batsman, then you would struggle to find too many better than KKR's Sheldon Jackson. The 28-year-old who normally opens the batting in T20s for Saurashtra and operates at No.4 in the other formats was his state side's most consistent batsman this season.

He has been in breath-taking form in both Tests and T20s and averaged 37 in the recently-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which is the domestic T20 championship. Although he might not play for KKR this season, owing to the presence of Robin Uthappa, he is certainly a wonderful alternative to have in your side.

#5 Subramaniam Badrinath (Royal Challengers Bangalore - Rs. 30 lakhs)

Although T20 is a game of big-hitters, a side full of big-hitters doesn't necessarily guarantee you success. Royal Challengers Bangalore found this out last season and they have done well in the 2015 auction to buy some gritty players to along with all the glamorous names.

After being left without a team in the 2014 season, Badrinath finally has an IPL team to call home. Although he isn't the most destructive batsman in the world, he gives his team some much-needed solidity and is the perfect man to have when you are in trouble. The 34-year-old, who spent the first six seasons playing for his hometown franchise CSK, will be hoping to make an immediate impact for a side that is looking for their first IPL title.

#6 Laxmi Ratan Shukla (Sunrisers Hyderabad - Rs. 30 lakhs)

T20 is a format that requires players to be multi-skilled. Unless you are exceptionally good at just one thing, like either Chris Gayle or Lasith Malinga, you can't really be sure of a starting spot every time. Although Laxmi Ratan Shukla might not immediately strike you as the all-rounder you need, his performances show otherwise.

Not only does he score runs quickly, but he also has the knack of picking up crucial wickets just when his side needs them. Although much of his performances sneak under the radar, he has won the IPL with KKR and you don't get close to 1000 runs and 50 wickets in T20s without being half-decent.

#7 Darren Sammy (Royal Challengers Bangalore - Rs. 2.8 cr)

Given that there is very little time for a batsman to settle in T20s, you need players who can get going from the very first ball. And Darren Sammy is one player who can do just that.

Whether you are looking for a final flourish when you are setting a target or need to score quickly when you are chasing a huge total, Sammy is exactly the player you want, lower down the order to hit some lusty blows. With a strike rate of close to 140 and over 100 wickets to his name, the 31-year-old might just be the all-rounder that RCB have been trying so hard to find.

#8 Praveen Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad - Rs. 2.2 cr)

If you are a fan of fast bowling, then the Sunrisers Hyderabad should automatically be your favourite team in this year's IPL. Not only do they have two world-class fast bowlers in Dale Steyn and Trent Boult, they also have a plethora of Indian seamers to choose from.

Although it might surprise some, Praveen Kumar is still only 28 and is in the top 20 wicket-takers in IPL history. His economy rate is just over 7 and his ability to swing the ball and also bowl deceptive slower balls will be a valuable addition to the Sunrisers seam attack. The fact that he can also hit some lusty blows towards the end of an innings, only enhances his credentials.

#9 Rahul Sharma (Chennai Super Kings - Rs. 30 lakhs)

For all the talk of smaller boundaries and bigger bats, the value of having a leg-spinner in your side is still important. Delhi Daredevils showed that in the first game against CSK and in Rahul Sharma, Chennai have their very own leggie to call on.

Very much in the mould of Anil Kumble, Rahul makes the most of the pitch and extracts prodigious bounce with his height and is often a handful for the batsmen on any wicket. Given MS Dhoni's tendency to not change a winning formula, it is unlikely that the 28-year-old leggie will get a consistent run in the side. But what an alternative he has, if he does indeed need one.

#10 Trent Boult (Sunrisers Hyderabad - Rs. 3.8 cr)

Given the form he was in during the World Cup, Trent Boult looks like a steal even at Rs. 3.8 crore. With Dale Steyn steaming in from one end and Boult from the other, SRH seem to have the deadliest strike bowlers in the current edition.

Renowned for his ability to swing the ball, the left-arm pacer was initially considered a Test bowler primarily, but his performances in the World Cup showed that he can even make the white ball talk. With his deadly yorkers, bouncers and clever changes of pace, the 25-year-old certainly has all the skills to develop into a world-class T20 bowler. And Sunrisers will be hoping that he makes an instant impact in this tournament.

#11 Pragyan Ojha (Mumbai Indians - Rs. 50 lakhs)

Only five bowlers have taken more wickets in the IPL than Pragyan Ojha. Despite the problems he has had with his action recently, there aren't many left-arm spinners in the world who are as effective as the 28-year-old from Bhubaneswar. With 89 IPL wickets to his name, the spinner will be looking to become only the third bowler to get to 100 wickets.

And that completes the XI that could have been bought at lesser than the price of Yuvraj Singh. A well-balanced side packed with power and panache, they could certainly challenge for the title, whether Delhi can too, remains to be seen.