The mini-auction of the 14th season of the Indian Premier League concluded in Chennai on February 18th with 57 players filling up the 61 available slots. While some of the 8 franchises went in for the players that worked well for them, a few of them made bold choices and splurged on players that can make a massive impact. Auctions sometimes decide the difference between a season-winning performance and a victory that takes them to the finals. This is why franchises bought out the finest of talent available for the IPL teams and left no stone unturned.
The IPL player auction 2021 saw the most expensive purchase in the history of IPL Auctions, Chris Morris, who was sold to Rajasthan Royals for a whopping sum of INR 16.25 Cr. Power Dynamics certainly shift after every IPL Auction and some of the teams appear stronger than they first were.
Kings XI Punjab, which is now Punjab Kings, had the biggest amount in the kitty and bought 9 players in the IPL 2021 mini-auction after spending Rs. 47.90 crore. Australian pacer Jhye Richardson was Punjab Kings’ most expensive deal at Rs. 14 crores.
Punjab Kings will be led by KL Rahul who has been the best batsman of the IPL in the last three seasons. Going beyond KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, the franchise has acquired players that make up a comprehensive team.
Chris Gayle, who does not need any introduction, since no one has hit more sixes than him in the tournament has found a strong backup in the World No. 1 player in the shortest format, Dawid Malan. Jhye Richardson along with Riley Meredith who was sold at INR 8 crore undoubtedly strengthens the bowling attack, which was spearheaded by Mohammed Shami in the previous season. alongside Ravi Bishnoi and Chris Jordan are another two impactful Bowlers that are currently in Punjab Kings.
Punjab had a good auction and has spent its 53.20 crores well on players that can deliver match-winning performances with finesse.
One can only make predictions when it comes to IPL because only time will tell who will win.
Watch Vivo IPL 2021 Live stream from Continental Europe, Australia, Sri Lanka, and South East Asia (excluding Singapore and Malaysia) on YuppTV. You can stream the tournament on Smart Televisions and Smartphones on the YuppTV app which is available on all the app stores.