Shardul Thakur is back at Chennai Super Kings
In the Auctions for the Indian Premier League 2024, we have seen a huge turnaround of events. From the record-breaking buys to the surprising buys, the fans witnessed everything on the big auction day. All of the franchises have had a draining time with the decisions they had to make on their buys or even releases and it was quite an entertaining affair.
While some of the players got a lot more than the expected range, on the other hand, a few players went for a price, which was a bit under expectations. Well, it all depends on a lot of things, including the serial numbers in which the players are announced. However, the teams who got the players, who could have gone for big money were lucky to get them at these prices.
Here are our top five surprising buys of the IPL Auctions 2024:
Wanindu Hasaranga - 1.50 Crore (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Wanindu Hasaranga (X.com)
The Sri Lankan leg-spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga was released by the Royal Challengers Bangalore after the IPL 2023, as he could not give his best due to injuries and his worth was 10.75 Crores, which was a lot for any team for a player who has been injured lately. But Hasaranga's talent is unmatchable, which he displayed in his very first season.
Starting at a price of INR 1.50 Crore, no one was interested in bidding for Hasaranga, maybe because of the injuries, but he was a player of the tournament in the Lanka Premier League 2023, but got injured again. Sunrisers Hyderabad were the ones who bid for him in the first place and got his services for the base price only, which can turn into a great decision.
Rachin Ravindra - 1.80 Crore (Chennai Super Kings)
Rachin Ravindra (X.com)
The Kiwi youngster, Rachin Ravindra created havoc during the World Cup in India and it was sure that he would be picked in the auctions and that too with a huge amount. But, surprisingly, Rachin Ravindra could not go that big and Chennai Super Kings got his services for just INR 1.80 Crore.
Although Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals showed interest in buying him, but as Rachin is still young and inexperienced, both of these opted out and CSK got him for not so huge amount. This buy can be the most compelling one if Rachin continues to perform the way he was performing in the World Cup.
Lockie Ferguson - 2.00 Crore (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Lockie Ferguson (X.com)
Where most of the fast bowlers went for whopping sums of money, Lockie Ferguson was unlucky on ending up on the other side of the auctions. The right-arm fast bowler, who also possesses the ability to deliver pin-point yorkers even went unsold during the first time, but was brought as per the demands of the teams.
With a base price of 2 Crores, he could not go any bigger than that, as Royal Challengers Bangalore were the only ones who bid for him, thus acquiring him for the base price. He is an invaluable addition to RCB's squad, especially at this price, and the team looks more strong as he joins the likes of Reece Topley, Siraj and Alzarri Joseph.
Shardul Thakur - 4.00 Crore (Chennai Super Kings)
Shardul Thakur (X.com)
The Indian bowling all-rounder, Shardul Thakur is back to where his career got a huge boost. Chennai Super Kings have bought him back at a price of just INR 4 Crore and he will be playing under the captain MS Dhoni, donning the yellow in the IPL 2024.
While most of the fast bowlers earned huge deals including the Indian fast bowler, Harshal Patel. The story could have been the same for Thakur, but his forgettable run with KKR resulted in the release of him, as KKR were not willing to send 10.75 Crore for him. Having a base price of 2 Crore, Sunrisers were also interested in buying him, but as soon as he reached the price of 4 Crore, they opted out and Chennai got him back.
Gerald Coetzee - 5.00 Crore (Mumbai Indians)
Gerald Coetzee (X.com)
Another fast bowler and the same story goes for Gerald Coetzee as well, considering the guys like Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Alzarri Joseph, Spencer Johnson and Harshal Patel went for a lot more than 10 Crore, but Gerald will have to satisfy with only INR 5 Crore, as Mumbai Indians cleverly bought him cheaply.
Considering the abilities and the form of this Protea player, he could have got a hefty amount but surprisingly, he could get only this much and will be donning the Blue and Gold in the upcoming season of the IPL. With the inclusion of Coetzee, Mumbai will be a force to reckon with in the coming season.
 "Saksham Chugh")
