The IPL auction is always a fingerprint, stuff happening, strategy sessions, and sometimes, curveballs. The IPL 2024 was eventful and not disappointing! The player draft results were predictable to the usual picks, while some franchises created a stir by playing surprising cards. Thus, both the fans and analysts were stunned.
Let’s dive into some of the most surprising roster changes that shook up the IPL landscape:
Hardik Pandya (Traded Gujrat Titans to Mumbai Indians): As such, in a surprising phenomenon, Hardik Pandya, who is an Indian all-rounder, was traded from the squad of the Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians, his previous club before the 2024 IPL edition. However, the Pandya move took place a little later as his name had found a place in Gujarat Titans’ retention list, and all the stakeholders were looking forward to his comeback.
Despite the transaction, he turned to Mumbai again because it was the team where he started to play in the IPL. This event ranged from cheers and claps to curiosity and anxiety for Pandya and Mumbai Indians fans as they were there to celebrate his coming and hoped that he would contribute much to their team’s success.
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Avesh Khan (Traded Lucknow Super Giants to Rajasthan Royals for 10 Crore): Going to the trade market at the end of their eventful IPL 2024 season, Rajasthan Royals were eager to pick a new talent, and Avesh Khan was the perfect fit. This move was a shock, given that he was not terminated initially. The trade has been an exchange in the forms of Rajasthan’s young opener, Devdutt Padikkal, for Mumbai’s opener. Also, it involves the transfer of Vitthal Vishnu Udhane to Rajasthan without paying their IPL fees. The fast bowler Avesh, who is from the right arm, has been playing in the Lucknow team’s first season and has put in 26 wicket scalps in 22 matches.
Nevertheless, the beginning of a streak of uneven seasons eventually led the team to take this drastic decision to strengthen their bowling. While RR batted to acquire an all-round bowler, the Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, were looking at enhancing the pace department, and Avesh was fit for the position given his experience and wicket-taking ability. It portrays that Avesh and Rajasthan have a new beginning and a fair chance to do well and bring their team into the playoffs in the upcoming season of IPL.
Mitchell Starc (Bought by Kolkata Night Riders for 24.75 Crore): In the IPL Auction 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders bought this left-arm fast bowler named Mitchell Starc for the sum of ₹ 24.75 crore, there was something that made a sensation. This whopping amount resulted in him being the costliest purchase in the whole IPL History. This specific decision was also primarily imposed by Starc’s stellar track record when it comes to being one of the finest wicket-takers in the world, competing in high-profile matches, and his proven ability to thrive in very high-pressure situations.
With his expensive tag, Starc’s performance has been undoubtedly poor compared to the IPL. His wickets in 7 matches, having averaged 47.83, give this a less auspicious omen, leaving fans to ask whether he will be able to meet these high expectations. Nonetheless, this Kolkata Knight Riders team has demonstrated its faith in him as they have shown confidence in him riding through the difficult times and getting things right. Starc deserves full credit for his experience and skills, and KKR fans are convinced that in his next match, he will find a rhythm to his bowling attack and will ultimately bring significant success to the team.
Pat Cummins (Bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for 20.5 Crore): When Cummins, who is regarded as one of the world’s best fast bowlers, was bought up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for an overwhelming hefty sum of ₹20.5 crore, IPL2024 auction, it was a significant signing for them. This considerable price signifies the high demand for Cummins as a world-class express bowler who consistently bowls and whose effect could be relied upon. The signing of Pat Cummins for the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling is apt since their bowling lineup is already solid, and the fans are waiting to see how he sets the stage for a successful season.
Cameron Green (Traded from Mumbai Indians to Royal Challengers Bangalore for 17.5 Crore): It is the highlight of a pre-season trade which sensed the IPL auction 2024 when 23-year-old Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was traded for ₹17.5 crores from Mumbai Indians to Royal Challengers Bangalore. This is a massive vote of confidence in Green’s abilities from the management of Royal Challengers Bangalore and indicates that they believe he has the potential to be an essential member of their team. Explosive with the bat and steadily progressing in his bowling, Green has become a cricketer with versatile skills, which is precisely what turned fans on.
Devdutt Padikkal (Traded from Rajasthan Royals to Lucknow Super Giants): The nifty southpaw Devdutt Padikkal traded different surroundings for the upcoming IPL tournament, IPL 2024. He was sold to the newly formed Lucknow Super Giants, which owned the Rajasthan Royals, where he had played for the past two seasons. This happened then when shiz was traded directly for Avesh, Rajasthan’s pacer.
An inconsistent performance was the issue for him with the Rajasthan Royals team. On the one hand of the matter, he delivered some glitter of excellence, getting a century and several fifties, yet his more evident problem remained that of keeping it up. Favoured with the first toss at this prospective match, the Lucknow Supergiants, on the other hand, were looking for a powerful opening batsman to accompany their winning top order. Take the example of Padikkal; his aggressive style of playing and the fact that he is experienced in the IPL make him an exciting prospect!
If so, an exchange with the Lucknow Super Giants will be a short-term success for Devdutt Padikkal and the Giants. Yet, it gives him a ground where he can approach with a blank slate and an opportunity to establish himself as an indispensable batsman in the IPL.
Shardul Thakur (Released from Kolkata Night Riders for 10 Crore): This season represents a turning point in the history of Shardul Thakur’s IPL career. Kolkata Knight Riders bagged him at a mighty ₹10.75 crore, but his delivery did not match the outsiders’ minds. In 11 games, he could take only seven wickets and 113 runs, where he inevitably failed to fulfil all the value and potential that IPL base priced at. Having such a decision, Kolkata Knight Riders made a bold move and released him even early in the 2024 set auction regardless of high levels of investment.
This step clearly shows that the IPL, as well as other tournaments like BPL and CPL, are held under a high-pressure environment, and the players are directly affected by the results they put on the field. In conclusion, Shardul has been a priceless all-rounder in Indian cricket but is contract-less in the IPL yet. Shardul Thakur entered the IPL Auction and was purchased by his former team Chennai Super Kings for 4 Cr as compared to his fee of 10.75 Cr in IPL 2023.