The 2024 IPL Auction turned-out as record breaking one with some unexpected buys made by the franchise owners. Each team bolstered their squads with both international and domestic signings. While big names dominated the auction, few underrated players turned out to the perfect steals for some franchises. These talented players went for a much lower price than expected. With the amount of talent and calibre they have, they can put on a show with their performances in the coming edition.
Top Five steals of the IPL 2024 Auction
Harry Brook (DC)
Delhi Capitals for INR 4 crores. Coming from England, the young Harry Brook could have gone a bigger bid. But Delhi Capitals got him at INR 4 crores, winning the bidding race. Brook did not have a good IPL in 2023. He scored 190 runs in 11 innings at an average of 21.11 and a strike rate of only 123.8. He has been pretty impressive scoring 2338 runs in 90 innings at a very good strike rate of 151.4.
Brook, coming from the newer generation of England batters has a fearless approach to batting. He, with his power hitting, will be the man for Delhi Capitals in the middle overs and at the death too.
Gerald Coetzee (MI)
After already having a young sensation from South Africa in Dewald Brevis. Mumbai Indians (MI) team management signed a new young South Africa speedster, Gerald Coetzee at a price of INR 5 crore.
He was the first buy of Mumbai Indians in the auction. Mumbai was keen to get him on their side. They went past Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants in the bidding war for Coetzee. On a pacy pitch that has true bounce, this 150 kmph bowler will go guns blazing alongside Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah.
He can bowl with extra pace and aggression, especially in the middle overs to dry up the run-flow. Even in the recently finished ODI World Cup 2023, he was the highest wicket-taker for SA, with 20 wickets in eight innings. Hence, his partnership in bowling with Jasprit Bumrah will be vital for Mumbai in IPL 2024.
Rachin Ravindra (CSK)
Chennai Super Kings drafted Rachin Ravindra for 1.8 crores in the 2024 IPL Auction. Everyone was excited to see Rachin Ravindra’s bid after a fabulous 2023 ODI World cup. He aggregated 578 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 106.44 being the 4th highest run scorer of the tournament.
With CSK playing their home games at Chepauk, Rachin Ravindra could be pretty handy. From playing in the top order to bowling a couple at the spin friendly tracks of Chepauk, Rachin is a perfect pick for CSK. He can also play as a backup for Moeen Ali
Wanindu Hasaranga (SRH)
RCB parted ways with Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga after his below-average performance last season. Sunrisers Hyderabad made a steal by singing Wanindu Hasaranga for 1.50 crores INR. Sunrisers Hyderabad not only picked him for them but also prevented other teams from picking a good leg spinner who can bat as well when several teams looked for the same.
Hasaranga has all the abilities to fox the batters on any surface in the shortest format of the game, besides giving his team an option with the bat in the lower middle order. In 26 IPL innings for RCB from 2021 to 2023, Hasaranga has 35 scalps at an economy of 8.13. When it comes to the internationals, the Sri Lanka bowler has 91 T20I wickets in 56 innings at an economy of 6.91.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (KKR)
Kolkata Knight Riders made headlines for the highest bid ever in the Indian Premier League. KKR won the bidding war against GT for Mitchell Starc and picked him up for a whooping INR 24.75 crores in the 2024 IPL auction.
But they also made a steal in the form of Afghan spin sensation Mujeeb Ur Rahman for 2 crores. With Eden Gardens having help from spinners, Mujeeb Ur Rahman can rip teams apart. The mystery spinner from Afghanistan can bowl in the powerplay and contain runs along with Mitchell Starc from the other end.
The spin maestro is one of the leading spinners in the game currently. In 43 T20 internationals, Mujeeb has picked up 56 wickets at an average of 17.84 with an economy of only 6.28 which is phenomenal. He will play a crucial role for his team.
