Faf, Mustafizur, Quinton: Best Bargains at IPL Auction 2018

Best bargains at the IPL Auction 2018.

(Photo: Saumya Pankaj/The Quint)

There were shockers, cricketers that went unsold, and then those that were a steal on day one of the IPL Auction 2018. A total of 578 players including 62 capped Indians and 298 uncapped Indian cricketers, 182 capped overseas cricketers, 34 uncapped overseas players and 2 cricketers from Associate Nations are going under the hammer at the Indian Premier League’s auction in Bengaluru on 27 and 28 January.

Here’s a look at players whose buy-in amounts were relatively less than what had been expected.

1. Quinton de Kock

One of the best wicketkeepers in the world right now, Quinton de Kock was a massive steal for Royal Challengers Bangalore who got him for just Rs 2.8 crore. RCB started the bid at Rs 2 crore, Mumbai Indians jumped in at Rs 2.2 crore but it was the Virat Kohli-led franchise that had the final bid.

Delhi Daredevils, de Kock’s franchise till last year, chose not to use their Right to Match card for South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batsman.

Catch all the live action from IPL Player Auction 2018 here.

2. Imran Tahir

Unsold in last year’s auction, South Africa’s Imran Tahir had created quite the storm in IPL 2017 after getting a later entry into Steve Smith’s Rising Pune Supergiant. The leg-spinner had picked up 18 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 20.50 after replacing injured Mitch Marsh.

Expected to have several takers this time round, it took just one bid by Chennai Super Kings and Tahir became a part of MS Dhoni’s camp at Rs 1 crore.

3. Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur Rahman’s lethal yorkers were the highlight of his maiden IPL season in 2016, but the young Bangladesh pacer was pulled away from last year’s edition for national duties.

Delhi and Mumbai franchises went head-to-head for the 22-year-old, who has picked up 27 wickets in 17 T20 internationals. While Sunrisers Hyderabad refused to use their Right to Match card for him, Mumbai Indians bagged the cricketer for just Rs 2.2 crore from his base price of Rs 1 crore.

4. Faf du Plessis

Chennai Super Kings were super lucky to retain South Africa’s Test captain Faf du Plessis for just Rs 1.60 crore.

Faf du Plessis, who was in the Chennai Super Kings squad from IPL 2011, was bought by the Rising Pune Supergiants in IPL 2016 Player Draft.

5. Colin Munro

6. Yusuf Pathan