Why IPL 2017 auction is a lottery for underdogs
This was one Monday morning when those who regularly dabble in stocks and scripts decided to switch channels. No, they were not using their TV remote to track the stock indices, but how the player rates were fluctuating in the Indian Premier League 9 (IPL) auction in Bangalore.
It has become a truly fascinating event — the IPL auction. Just as pollsters predict election outcomes boldly, cricket pundits, too, do not mind hazarding a guess on who can get picked up and who will be left out.
This time around, the notable trend has not been big players getting picked for whopping sums, but how some unknown faces from India made it big.
A few months ago, if you had asked someone who T Natarajan was, you would have drawn a blank. The lanky 25-year-old speedster from Salem in Tamil Nadu caught the attention of IPL team honchos. Natarajan is a left-arm medium-pacer who was bowling with a tennis ball till some time ago. He then got some recognition when he was picked for the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).
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| The notable trend has not been big players getting picked for whopping sums but how some unknown faces from India made it big. |
He impressed in the TNPL and more or less the same time also delivered for Tamil Nadu in the last Ranji Trophy, where the team lost in the semi-finals.
Natarajan, son of a coolie (porter) whose mother is also a street vendor, was more than happy as he was picked by Kings XI Punjab for Rs 3 crore. In Tamil Nadu, whenever something so big or bizarre happens, they say "aiyoooo.." This kid certainly had people screaming in his home state "aiyoo" as the rags to riches story began. One just hopes Natarajan can learn more from the IPL and one day he represents India.
The second notable name to make it big was from Hyderabad's Mohammed Siraj. Sports journos in the southern state had all along maintained Siraj was the one with a big heart. He, too, had a good Ranji Trophy season, though when the son of an auto driver went under the hammer for Rs 2.6 crore, there was excitement all around.
Siraj will be playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad and that's a big boost for the IPL franchise which needs to come good this time. Siraj wants his father to stop driving autos, something he has been doing for three decades.
However much one drives public transport vehicles, one can never earn a sum like this. Even post-taxation, 22-year-old Siraj will have earned so much money it can change the whole fortune of his family and make them forget the years of struggle.
Among other hair-raising buys was Aniket Chaudhary from Rajasthan, again a medium-pacer who was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 2 crore. Considering that Ishant Sharma with a base price of Rs 2 crore went unsold and Cheteshwar Pujara, base price Rs 50 lakh also went unsold, Aniket has hit the jackpot.
Aniket had been part of Kings Xi Punjab in 2012, but the new deal he has got is a hot one. Certainly, the 27-year-old from Bikaner has charted a new course in his career which will be watched with interest.
Another surprise "lottery" winner, if that be the word is how K Gowtham, an all-rounder from Karnataka was taken away by Mumbai Indians for Rs 2 crore. Krishnappa Gowtham is his full name and he had a base price was Rs 10 lakhs. In a matter of hours, the IPL teams fought hard in the auction for the Karnataka lad. He made his first-class debut in 2012 but last season was a good one for him.
He is aware of the fact that making the IPL grade in "high-purchase category" comes with a lot of pressure. More so, when you happen to be playing for a high-profile team like Mumbai Indians. But then, in the maiden IPL season, you need to grab the chances immediately in April 2017.
To be sure, the IPL auction on Monday proved one thing again: There is no dearth of money in the market and teams are not relying only on big names and tried and tested stars. There is a place for T20 rookies, if that be the word.
One man who would have been smiling the most is sitting in England. Yes, Ben Stokes from England was the most expensive sale on Monday, as he was sold for Rs 14.5 crore to the Pune side.
Well, in times of demonetisation (in India) and Brexit (in Britain), Stokes sure has stoked the fire.