IPL auction is over and franchises have shed their pockets to bag the talented players. On Sunday, at the sixth auction, the nine teams spent a combined total of $11.89 million on purchasing 37 players.
Most of the teams have looked to capitalize this opportunity to strengthen their bowling, especially Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai who have either chosen specialist bowlers or have gone for genuine all-rounders.
Here we bring before you the top 10 costliest players who keep the franchises busy throughout the auction and made sure they shed their pockets on them.
{jb_yellowdisc}1. {/jb_yellowdisc} Glenn Maxwell - $1,000,000 to Mumbai Indians (base price $200,000): Glenn Maxwell the 24-year-old is all set to play for Mumbai Indians in IPL 6. Glenn Maxwell holds the record for the fastest one-day fifty in Australia's domestic history. He struck a 19-ball half-century against Tasmania during 2010-11season. He has been hot property because of the Big Bash league and that’s why he was sold to Mumbai Indians for whooping US 1million$.
His skills in spin department are polished by Shane Warne these days to prepare him well for sub-continent wickets. He has scored a brilliant fifty against West Indies in 1st ODI and took four wickets in 4th ODI. He has shown his fruitfulness in the shorter format and that’s why he is selected for Indian tour for upcoming test series.
{jb_yellowdisc}2.{/jb_yellowdisc} Ajantha Mendis - $725,000 to Pune Warriors (base price $50,000): He is no longer a 'mystery' and he has been in and out of Sri Lankan team for quite a sometime. Mendis previously played in the IPL in 2008-09 for defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders but in most of the matches he was ineffective and just going with his past records and overlooking his recent form can be a big mistake for Pune Warriors.
{jb_yellowdisc}3. {/jb_yellowdisc} Kane Richardson - $700,000 to Pune Warriors (base price $100,000): A dream starts for the career of this budding cricketer. He has impressed everyone with his T20 skills in the lower middle order which makes him more useful and adds strength to the team combination. He is just 21 years old that comes with lot of buzz around him because of the energy that he brings in to the field makes him a player to watch out for.
{jb_yellowdisc}4.{/jb_yellowdisc} Thisara Perera - $675,000 to Sunrisers Hyderabad (base price $50,000): The Sri Lankan all-rounder is a power-hitter with the bat and can pitch in with the ball as well. He has represented Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala in past seasons of the IPL but has flattered to deceive. The burden of his price tag will be on Perera's shoulders as will the responsibility of playing for the newest IPL side. Thisara Perera is on his last IPL legs and he will be pressured to deliver.
{jb_yellowdisc}5. {/jb_yellowdisc} Abhishek Nayar - $675,000 to Pune Warriors (base price $100,000): Abhishek Nayar's dream runs continue after having a terrific Ranji season this year and now he has been sold to Pune Warriors for $675,000 for IPL 6. The southpaw is a veteran of the IPL, having previously represented Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab. He has been a key player in first-class cricket in the past few seasons, averaging 57.16 with the bat and 30.02 with the ball.
{jb_yellowdisc}6.{/jb_yellowdisc}Sachithra Senanayake - $625,000 to Kolkata Knight Riders (base price $50,000): Sachithra Senanayake is an off-spinner who made his international debut for Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI in the series against South Africa in 2011-12. He is new to international arena but he has played few matches in Big Bash League and with his tight bowling impressed everyone. But KKR has simply invested too much on him because they are already having Yusuf Pathan, Sunil Narine and Iqbal Abdullah in spin department.
{jb_yellowdisc}7.{/jb_yellowdisc} Chris Morris - $625,000 to Chennai Super Kings (base price $20,000): Chris Morris, with a cheap base price of 20,000, who make franchises scratch their heads. Mumbai Indians, Hyderabad Sunrisers and Chennai Super Kings were in a race to buy this young gun but it was Chennai who ended up winning the race with $625,000 for Morris. An all-rounder Morris has played just the only T20 for South Africa. At 25 years of age and an IPL contract under his belt, Christopher Henry Morris is looking at a bright future.
{jb_yellowdisc}8.{/jb_yellowdisc} Dirk Nannes - $600,000 to Chennai Super Kings (base price $200,000): Dirk Nannes: He is one of the best bowlers in T20 cricket and in IPL he gets better. He has been a strike bowler for Delhi till now and his transfer to Chennai will be a big blow for sure. His skills are going to add lot more strength to their bowling attack and getting a bowler of his class in US $6,00,000 is totally worth.
{jb_yellowdisc}9.{/jb_yellowdisc} Jaydev Unadkat - $525,000 to Royal Challengers Bangalore (base price $100,000): Jaydev Unadkat has been a regular face of KKR and bowl really well as a first change. He has been quick this season for Saurashtra and he did quite well and was picking up wickets in every odd innings. His terrific form has earned him not only a place in RCB but has made him the 9th most expensive player of this auction.
{jb_yellowdisc}10.{/jb_yellowdisc}Manpreet Gony - $500,000 to Kings XI Punjab (base price $200,000): He has picked up 21 wickets in 7 matches and that’s what made him a player to watch out for in this auction. He will get to bowl on his home ground which will surely add more value to the team. This time Kings XI Punjab has stick to basics and tried to add few good players to their bowling which was very much required for them.
