The auctions for IPL 2021 saw a number of players fetch high bids while a few others went for relatively lower than what was expected. We look at a few players who were expected to fetch bigger bids considering their experience and their skill-set.
Here are the biggest steal picks from the IPL 2021 auctions that was held in Chennai on February 18.
Fabian Allen (Rs 75 lakhs to Punjab Kings)
Though Fabian Allen has played just 32 T20 games in his career, he was expected to interest a few franchises considering his abilities with both bat and ball. The West Indian has a strike rate of nearing 160 in T20 cricket, and has also managed to pick up 17 wickets at an economy rate of under 8 – astonishing figures for any player.
With most teams in the lookout for a finisher, Allen, who has a strike rate 212.9 in the death overs, was expected to arouse the interest of a few more franchises. He was eventually bought for his base price of INR 75 lakhs, and Punjab Kings will be mightily pleased with the bargain deal that they managed with a player of Allen’s skill set.
Umesh Yadav (Rs 1 crore to Delhi Capitals)
Experienced Indian fast bowlers are a rare commodity in the IPL, and hence it came as a surprise when there was not a greater interest for Umesh Yadav, who was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of IPL 2021.
The pacer had leaked runs at an economy rate of 11.85 in the last edition of the Indian Premier League and did not scalp a single wicket. However, Umesh has always been a new ball over, with numbers suggesting the same. RCB primarily used him at the death in the last few seasons – a phase where he has never excelled.
Between overs 1 to 6, Umesh has picked up 47 wickets at an economy rate of 7.63. In the death overs, the same economy rate rises to 10.51, and it is clear that the Vidarbha pacer is best utilized at the top. With a number of teams, such as Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings and even Kolkata Knight Riders in need of a capped Indian domestic pacer, it was expected that Umesh would fetch more than his base price of INR 1 crore.
Adam Milne (Rs 3.2 crore to Mumbai Indians)
Even as other teams were after players such as Kyle Jamieson and Jhye Richardson, Mumbai Indians possibly ended with one of the smartest buys of IPL 2021 auctions when they got New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne for INR 3.2 crore. True, the pacer is no more in favour with the national team, but he has plenty of experience, pace and skills in the death overs, which makes him one of the steals.
Between overs 16 to 20 in T20 cricket since 2016, Milne has conceded runs at just 7.20 – the highest among bowlers who have sent down 100 balls in the death overs in the last four years. He can send down balls at 150kmph constantly and is one of the most accurate bowlers as well. Along with Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah, the presence of Milne is sure to boost the Mumbai Indians camp further.
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