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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction, held in Dubai on Tuesday, witnessed a flurry of high-stakes bidding wars as over 300 players went under the hammer. With 72 cricketers finding new homes across the 10 franchises, the spotlight was on Australian stars Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who clinched multi-million-dollar deals. Cummins secured a whopping INR 20.50 crore with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), while Starc inked a lucrative contract with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 24.75 crore.
In a dazzling display of financial prowess, franchises splurged on both domestic and international talents, making the auction one for the record books. Harshal Patel emerged as the highest-earning Indian player, who will don the Punjab Kings (PBKS) jersey after fetching a remarkable INR 11.75 crore. Uncapped prodigy Sameer Rizvi made headlines with an impressive INR 8.40 crore deal with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), while Shahrukh Khan became the prized acquisition for Gujarat Titans (GT) at INR 7.40 crore.
Amidst the fervour of the auction, a significant number of cricketers found themselves without a buyer. Yet, these unsold players form a formidable XI that could rival any team in the tournament.
Best playing XI of unsold players
Talented openers:
Phil Salt: Known for his aggressive style of play, Phil Salt is a dynamic opener with a reputation for providing quick starts. His ability to take on the bowlers from the very first ball makes him a valuable asset at the top of the order. With a mix of conventional shots and innovative stroke play, Salt sets the stage for an electrifying batting performance.
Salt has played 9 games in the cash-rich league, having scored 218 runs with the help of two half-centuries. The right-handed batter has 24 fours and 10 sixes to his name in IPL. The 27-year-old has only played for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the lucrative tournament.
Manan Vohra: Stepping into the opening slot, Manan Vohra is a seasoned batter known for his stylish strokes and ability to anchor an innings. With a wealth of domestic and T20 experience, Vohra brings stability to the top order. His aggressive yet controlled approach makes him a reliable batter capable of setting the tone for the innings.
The Chandigarh-born cricketer has a lot of experience of IPL as the right-handed batter has played 56 games in the cash-rich league, amassing 1083 runs with the help of three fifties and 95 being his best score.
Strong middle-order:
Steve Smith: A cricketing luminary, Steve Smith brings his wealth of experience to stabilize the middle order. The former Australian captain is known for his unorthodox yet effective batting technique. Smith’s ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when required makes him a pivotal player in the unsold players XI, providing leadership and stability.
Smith has plenty of experience of playing in IPL for various franchises. He has played 103 games in the cash-rich league and scored 2485 runs with one hundred and 11 half-centuries. In IPL, Smith has plied his trade for teams like Rising Pune Super Giants, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals.
Josh Inglis (wk): A proficient wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis not only adds depth to the batting lineup but also ensures stability behind the stumps. His reliable glovework and ability to contribute with the bat make him a versatile player.
Inglis is poised to play a dual role, providing solidity in the middle order and taking charge of the wicketkeeping duties. The British-Australian cricketer hasn’t yet played a game in IPL but his abilities in the shortest format makes him an invaluable asset. In 15 T20Is, Inglis has scored 387 runs, including a century.
Sarfaraz Khan: Known for his innovative stroke play and ability to handle pressure situations Sarfaraz Khan, adds flair to the middle order. The Indian batter has showcased his talent in domestic tournaments as well as in IPL.
His unconventional yet effective approach makes him a valuable addition to the unsold players XI. Safaraz has played 50 games in the cash-rich league, scoring 585 runs with 67 being his best. He has represented Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals. His last IPL game came against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Also READ: IPL 2024 – Gautam Gambhir explains reason behind KKR’s decision to acquire Mitchell Starc for INR 24.75 crore
Dynamic all-rounders:
Michael Bracewell: A seasoned all-rounder, Michael Bracewell’s elegant stroke play and useful contributions with the ball makes him a well-rounded player. His ability to anchor the innings or play aggressive cameos, coupled with his spin bowling, provides the team with flexibility and options in crucial situations.
Bracewell has played five games in the high-profile tournament, in which he has scored 58 runs and taken 6 wickets. The Black Caps star made his IPL debut in the last season for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
James Neesham: Known for his explosive power-hitting and effective seam bowling, James Neesham brings a dynamic dimension to the unsold players XI. Neesham’s ability to change the course of a game with both bat and ball makes him a crucial asset. His experience in various T20 leagues enhances the team’s balance.
When it come to the IPL, the New Zealand cricketer has appeared in 14 games, scoring 92 runs and bagging 8 wickets. Neesham has represented teams like, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Mumbai Indians (MI) and Rajasthan Royals (RR).
Odean Smith: The talented Caribbean all-rounder Odean Smith combines raw power with the ability to contribute with both bat and ball. With a reputation for big hits and useful variations in his bowling, Smith adds the Caribbean flair to the unsold players XI. His performances in T20 leagues underscore his potential impact.
Representing Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans, Smith doesn’t have enough experience of playing in the IPL. In 6 games, Smith has scored 51 runs and taken 6 wickets, with 4/30 being his best performance.
Energetic bowling attack:
Josh Hazlewood: In the pace bowling department, Josh Hazlewood brings his international experience and precision to the team. Hazlewood’s ability to generate bounce and swing makes him a potent force with the new ball, and his accuracy in the death overs adds control to the bowling unit.
Having played for teams like Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Hazlewood is a well-known name in the cash-rich league. In 27 matches, the New South Wales pace bowler has bagged 35 wickets, with 4/25 being his best.
Tabraiz Shamsi: The South African spin wizard Tabraiz Shamsi adds variety to the bowling attack. His deceptive variations and ability to take wickets in the middle overs make him a vital component. Shamsi’s unorthodox left-arm wrist spin can be a game-changer in T20 cricket.
Shamsi has played for Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the cash-rich league. Despite being a talented spinner, Shamsi didn’t get enough opportunities as he only played 5 games and took 3 wickets in his IPL career.
Adam Milne: Completing the pace trio, Adam Milne brings express pace to the unsold players XI. Milne’s ability to consistently clock high speeds and generate bounce adds a threatening dimension to the bowling lineup. His knack for picking up crucial wickets makes him a key player in crunch situations.
The New Zealand fast bowler has so far played 10 games in IPL, taking 7 wickets. Milne has represented Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in the lucrative tournament.
