The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a cricketing extravaganza filled with surprises, jaw-dropping performances, and fierce competition. A pivotal event leading up to each IPL season is the Player Auction, where franchises battle it out to secure the services of their preferred players. The IPL 2020 Player Auction was no different, with eight franchises vying for talent to bolster their squads for the upcoming season. Let’s delve into the exciting highlights of this auction.
Big Bucks Down Under: Pat Cummins Shatters Records
The 2020 IPL Player Auction made history as Australia’s fast bowler Pat Cummins fetched an astounding ₹15.50 crores, making him the most expensive overseas signing in IPL history. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured his services, underlining the importance of a potent pace attack in T20 cricket.
Maxwell’s Million-Dollar Smile: Glenn Maxwell Strikes Gold
All-rounder Glenn Maxwell, known for his explosive batting and effective off-spin, earned a hefty ₹10.75 crores in a bidding war. The ‘Big Show’ found a new home with the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), who were determined to add firepower to their squad.
Caribbean Charm: Cottrell and Hetmyer Shine
The IPL auction is never complete without the thrilling Caribbean flavor, and this year was no exception. West Indian duo Sheldon Cottrell and Shimron Hetmyer attracted high bids of ₹8.50 crores and ₹7.75 crores, respectively. Cottrell joined KXIP, while Hetmyer became a part of the Delhi Capitals (DC).
International Captains in Demand
Two international captains, Aaron Finch and Eoin Morgan, generated significant interest among franchises. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured Finch’s services, while KKR added Eoin Morgan to their squad. These acquisitions strengthened their leadership and batting prowess.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Fairy Tale Begins
The IPL auction has a knack for turning young talents into overnight sensations. Mumbai’s young batting sensation, Yashasvi Jaiswal, witnessed his dream come true when he was acquired by the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a remarkable ₹2.4 crores. His journey from the streets to the grand stage is an inspiring tale of perseverance.
The Pravin Tambe Surprise
Experience is often invaluable in T20 cricket, and Pravin Tambe, despite his age, found a buyer in KKR. The seasoned leg-spinner’s acquisition showcased the value franchises place on seasoned campaigners.
Franchise Spending Spree: The Numbers Game
The IPL 2020 Player Auction was marked by frenzied bidding wars, and the numbers spoke volumes. A total of 62 players were sold, comprising 29 overseas and 33 Indian players. The combined spending by the eight franchises reached an astonishing ₹1,40,30,00,000.
Here’s a snapshot of each franchise’s purse at the start of the auction, the amount remaining, and their squad size:
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Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Purse at Start – ₹14.60 Crore | Purse Remaining – ₹15.00 Lakh | Squad Size – 24
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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): Purse at Start – ₹27.90 Crore | Purse Remaining – ₹6.40 Crore | Squad Size – 21
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Delhi Capitals (DC): Purse at Start – ₹27.85 Crore | Purse Remaining – ₹9.00 Crore | Squad Size – 22
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Mumbai Indians (MI): Purse at Start – ₹13.05 Crore | Purse Remaining – ₹1.95 Crore | Squad Size – 24
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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Purse at Start – ₹35.65 Crore | Purse Remaining – ₹8.50 Crore | Squad Size – 23
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Rajasthan Royals (RR): Purse at Start – ₹28.90 Crore | Purse Remaining – ₹14.75 Crore | Squad Size – 25
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Kings XI Punjab (KXIP): Purse at Start – ₹42.70 Crore | Purse Remaining – ₹16.50 Crore | Squad Size – 25
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Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Purse at Start – ₹17.00 Crore | Purse Remaining – ₹10.10 Crore | Squad Size – 25
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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) (after acquiring players): Purse at Start – ₹22.90 Crore | Purse Remaining – ₹22.90 Crore | Squad Size – 18
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Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) (after acquiring players): Purse at Start – ₹10.75 Crore | Purse Remaining – ₹10.75 Crore | Squad Size – 22
The IPL 2020 Player Auction was a captivating spectacle filled with big-money signings, surprises, and high-octane bidding wars. As the franchises assembled their squads, cricket enthusiasts eagerly awaited the action-packed season that lay ahead, where these stars would shine on the grand stage of the IPL.
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