IPL 2024 Auction: Delhi Capitals look settled on paper; LSG struggle with bowling while Punjab with batting depth. Team wise auction report and how squad looks after.
The Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai witnessed a crazy flow of money on cricketers from across the globe on Tuesday. The IPL 2024 mini-auction broke all records and saw teams breaking the bank for their desired players. Let's analyse three teams who have been so good throughout all the editions but have failed to have a touch on the coveted silverware – Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC).
Lucknow Super Giants
The ‘Nawaabs’ from Lucknow tried to assemble their squad for the upcoming edition of IPL, primarily focusing on acquiring uncapped players during the auction due to an already formidable lineup. Under new leadership, with Justin Langer at the helm, strategic decisions were made, such as swapping out pacer Avesh Khan for Devdutt Padikkal. The inclusion of Padikkal solves their long-standing issue of the No. 3 batting slot for the team.
However, the departure of Avesh Khan, along with the release of Daniel Sams and Jaydev Unadkat, created a blank space in the pace department. The team was also suffering from a shortage of reliable finishers. Although Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, and Krunal Pandya are present their consistency in the role of finisher remains uncertain.
The team also failed to secure a quality India finisher. Consequently, LSG will have to rely on the existing pool of players to fulfil the critical finishing role, offering limited reassurance in that aspect.
Meanwhile, the KL Rahul-led team, facing challenges on the bowling front, with Ravi Bishnoi spearheading the spin attack but a notable absence of a dependable pacer have somewhat filled the gap by acquiring the services of Shivam Mavi and David Willey, to accompany Mark Wood as the lead of the pace attack.
Players bought by LSG at IPL 2024 Auction: Shivam Mavi (Rs 6.40 crore), Arshin Kulkarni (Rs 20 lakh), Manimaran Siddharth (Rs 2.40 crore), Ashton Turner (Rs 1 crore), David Willey (Rs 2 crore), Arshad Khan (Rs 20 lakh)
LSG complete squad: Amit Mishra, Ayush Badoni, Deepak Hooda, Devdutt Padikkal (T), K. Gowtham, KL Rahul, Krunal Pandya, Kyle Mayers, Marcus Stoinis, Mark Wood, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Naveen Ul Haq, Nicholas Pooran, Prerak Mankad, Quinton De Kock, Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Charak, Shivam Mavi, Arshin Kulkarni, Manimaran Siddharth, Ashton Turner, David Willey, Arshad Khan
Read More: IPL 2024: Royals and Titans look settled on paper; Knight Riders lack death bowling options
Punjab Kings
The franchise representing Punjab have tried all sorts of combinations in the IPL, but have failed every time. It could be a turnaround for the team as they have certainly ticked almost all boxes ahead of going into the mega tournament.Â
PBKS seemed to prioritize reinforcing their squad in key areas, particularly focusing on acquiring an overseas spinner and a frontline seamer. With Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh already leading the seam bowling department, the team also have a decent spinners' category, including leg-spinner Rahul Chahar and left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar, supported by all-rounders Sikandar Raza and Liam Livingstone.
The team strategically addressed the remaining gaps in their squad. They invested significantly in all-rounders, with a considerable sum of Rs 11.75 crore spent on securing the services of India all-rounder Harshal Patel, previously associated with RCB. Additionally, the team secured the talents of South Africa batter Rilee Rossouw and England all-rounder Chris Woakes, spending Rs 8 crore and Rs 4.2 crore, respectively.
Despite the apparent strength in the squad, concerns arise regarding the abundance of English players in the squad, who might miss a significant portion of the tournament due to national duties. The decision to release Shahrukh Khan, without retaining or reacquiring him in the auction, coupled with the absence of a solidified middle-order with an India batter, raised alarms about potential challenges for PBKS in the upcoming season.
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Players bought by PBKS at IPL 2024 Auction: Harshal Patel (Rs 11.75 crore), Chris Woakes (Rs 4.20 crore), Ashutosh Sharma (Rs 20 lakh), Vishwanath Singh (Rs 20 lakh), Shashank Singh (Rs 20 lakh), Tanay Thyagarajan (Rs 20 lakh), Prince Choudhary (Rs 20 lakh), Rilee Rossouw (Rs 8 crore)
PBKS complete squad: Arshdeep Singh, Atharva Taide, Harpreet Brar, Harpreet Bhatia, Jitesh Sharma, Jonny Bairstow, Kagiso Rabada, Liam Livingstone, Nathan Ellis, Prabhsimran Singh, Rahul Chahar, Rishi Dhawan, Sam Curran, Shikhar Dhawan, Shivam Singh, Sikandar Raza, Vidwath Kaverappa, Harshal Patel, Chris Woakes, Ashutosh Sharma, Vishwanath Singh, Shashank Singh, Tanay Thyagarajan, Prince Choudhary, Rilee Rossouw
Read More:Â IPL 2024 Auction: Starc, Cummins, Mitchell, Harshal top bids; MI, RR, SRH look settled on paper
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals, like Punjab Kings, have stood out as consistent underachievers in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Looking at the recent releases, the franchise would have been compelled to seek replacements for their middle-order, particularly someone reliable as a finisher to fill the void left by Rowman Powell and England's Phil Salt. Despite Prithvi Shaw's retention despite a recent IPL slump, having backup options at the top of the order would be reassuring for Delhi Capitals.
The standout buy for Delhi Capitals in the auction was Harry Brook, secured for Rs 4 crore, adding firepower to their batting lineup for the upcoming season. However, the team was unable to secure a backup for India opener Prithvi Shaw, who, despite his talent, has experienced a mixed run with the bat.
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The inclusion of West Indies' Shai Hope was a specific move to address this gap, and both Brook and Marsh offer valuable options at the top of the order. It's anticipated, though, that they will likely replace David Warner rather than opening alongside him.
Players bought by Delhi Capitals at Auction: Harry Brook (Rs 4 crore), Tristan Stubbs (Rs 50 lakh), Ricky Bhui (Rs 20 lakh), Kumar Kushagra (Rs 7.20 crore), Rasikh Dar Salam (Rs 20 lakh), Jhye Richardson (Rs 5 crore), Sumit Kumar (Rs 1 crore), Shai Hope (Rs 75 lakh), Swastik Chikara (Rs 20 lakh)
Delhi Capitals complete squad: Abhishek Porel, Anrich Nortje, Axar Patel, David Warner, Ishant Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Lalit Yadav, Lungisani Ngidi, Mitchell Marsh, Mukesh Kumar, Pravin Dubey, Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Vicky Ostwal, Yash Dhull, Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Ricky Bhui, Kumar Kushagra, Rasikh Dar Salam, Jhye Richardson, Sumit Kumar, Shai Hope, Swastik Chikara