Day one of the IPL 2018 mega auction ended with mega-money buys and some exciting strategies implemented by all eight franchises this season.
The returning Rajasthan Royals had a field day in the auctions by picking up big names including Ben Stokes while the likes of Lasith Malinga, Martin Guptill, Hashim Amla and Chris Gayle remained unsold after the first day.
The franchises aimed to get big Indian names in their line-up, while also keeping uncapped players as their priority. All in all it was an action-packed first day of the mega-auction, as we recall the five most expensive buys of the IPL 2018 auction so far:
Glenn Maxwell (Delhi Daredevils)/ Rashid Khan (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – INR 9 crore:
Struggling Delhi franchise look to turn their IPL fortunes around after signing Australian superstar, Glenn Maxwell for INR 9 crore.
The all-rounder has been smashing runs through his IPL career for Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab, as he now finds himself at the Indian capital.
Afghanistan’s leg-spinning prodigy, Rashid Khan, caught the eye of many franchises as his former suitors Sunrisers Hyderabad saw the carnage before stepping in to use their Right-to-Match card to retain the 19-year-old star.
Without doubt, Khan will be an important part of SRH’s spin-attack along with Hooda and Shakib.
Mitchell Starc (Kolkata Knight Riders) – INR 9.4 crore:
Arguably the hottest bowling property in world-cricket at the moment, Mitchell Starc was expected to attract the eye of the franchises.
The Australian pacer, who represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) last IPL, was bagged by KKR for INR 9.4 crore, with the Knight Riders emerging as a good bowling unit with the likes of Russell and Narine.
Chris Lynn (Kolkata Knight Riders) – INR 9.6 crore:
Starc was barely ousted by fellow Australian Chris Lynn, who has emerged as one of the hottest T20 properties in world cricket.
Lynn had represented KKR in the IPL on previous occasions, but with his previous stints being marred with injuries, the 27-year-old will be looking to make a mark in this season of the IPL.
Manish Pandey (SunRisers Hyderabad)/ KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab) – INR 11 crore:
Manish Pandey has seen a brilliant turn-around from last season, after 2017 saw the youngster becoming a regular feature in India’s limited-overs squad.
Pandey’s drastic improvement saw him being chased by many franchises, before Sunrisers Hyderabad sealed his signature, for a mammoth INR 11 crore, becoming the joint-most expensive Indian sold in the auction so far.
Another Indian youngster who saw a dramatic turn of fortune in the last two years was KL Rahul, who broke records at the T20I level for the Men in Blue. Rahul has had incredible IPL numbers for RCB last season, and will be an integral part of Kings XI Punjab’s fragile batting line-up.
Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals) – INR 12.5 crore:
The English all-rounder has been one of the biggest name in the IPL auction over the past few years, also bagging the most expensive price tag in the last IPL auction. His name in the recent controversy has not affected his status as a fantastic all-rounder, as he went for a huge figure to Rajasthan Royals.
