There were some incredible moments during the IPL 2024 auction as franchises fought to acquire elite players for their squads. Some acquisitions garnered attention because of their high price tags. We’ll examine the five most overrated signings in more detail and consider whether the significant outlays made sense in this column.
Pat Cummins made history by becoming the first player to breach the ₹20 crore mark in an IPL auction, with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) securing his services for ₹20.50 crore. While Cummins brings experience and solidity to the bowling department, questions arise about the necessity of an overseas pacer for Hyderabad.
The presence of quality bowlers like Marco Jansen and Fazalhaq Farooqi, who provide more variety in the shortest format, makes Cummins’ signing debatable. With limited overseas slots available, valuable players like Jansen and Farooqi may find themselves on the bench to accommodate Cummins.
Mitchell Starc (Photo Source: Getty Images)
Following Cummins’ record-breaking deal, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) splurged ₹24.75 crore on Mitchell Starc. While Kolkata needed a specialist pace bowler, investing almost a quarter of the auction purse in a single player raises concerns about team balance.
Starc’s T20 numbers since 2021 are not as impressive as his price tag suggests. With only 23 T20 games played and 24 wickets at an economy rate of 8.65, the gamble on Starc’s form and fitness may backfire for KKR.
Spencer Johnson (Photo Source: Getty Images)
Gujarat Titans (GT) made Australian pacer Spencer Johnson their costliest buy at ₹10 crore. Known for his performances in the Big Bash League and Men’s Hundred, Johnson has potential, but he is yet to prove himself against top-tier batters.
Spending ₹10 crore on a player making his IPL debut might add pressure on Johnson, especially considering alternative options like Dilshan Madushanka or Luke Wood. GT’s desperation for Johnson’s services might have led them to overlook potentially more economical choices.
Shivam Mavi (Photo Source: Getty Images)
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) spent almost half of their budget on Shivam Mavi, acquiring him for ₹6.40 crore after a bidding war. Mavi, with a promising start at the 2018 U-19 World Cup, hasn’t fully lived up to expectations in the IPL.
Despite 32 IPL games under his belt, Mavi’s inconsistency and occasional expensive spells make his hefty price tag questionable. LSG might have overestimated Mavi’s potential impact on their squad.
Harshal Patel (Photo Source: Getty Images)
Punjab Kings (PBKS) broke the bank to secure Harshal Patel’s services for ₹11.75 crore. However, Harshal’s inconsistent performances and a high economy rate of 9.43 in 22 T20s this year raise concerns about the return on investment.
Harshal’s slower ball variations make him a valuable asset, but the gamble on his form could prove costly for PBKS. The franchise might have been better off exploring more reliable and consistent options in the auction.
While IPL auctions are known for their unpredictability and bidding wars, the astronomical sums spent on certain players in the IPL 2024 auction warrant scrutiny. Only time will tell whether these overrated signings will prove to be game-changers or costly gambles for their respective franchises.
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