Under the dazzling lights of the Coca-Cola Arena, a cricketing spectacle unfolded on December 19 as the ten franchises of the Indian Premier League (IPL) engaged in a fierce bidding war for […]
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Dec 21, 2023 7:49 pm
IPL Auction 2024 (Source – Twitter)
Under the dazzling lights of the Coca-Cola Arena, a cricketing spectacle unfolded on December 19 as the ten franchises of the Indian Premier League (IPL) engaged in a fierce bidding war for the best talent going around. With the coveted IPL trophy in their sights, each franchise strategized meticulously, hoping to build a championship-calibre squad capable of dominating the upcoming season.
It was also a momentous occasion for the players involved as some of them got life-changing deals- Just ask Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. However, there were also a few big players who were unfortunate to miss out despite being reputed names in the circuit. Here’s a look at three such players:
Phil Salt
Phil Salt
Phil Salt’s being unsold at the auction sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The England opener’s aggressive batting is a proven force, with a T20I strike rate that clocks in at a blistering 165 and a consistent 130 in ODIs. His destructive power isn’t just confined to international colours; boasting a strike rate above 150 in a staggering 215 T20s overall. Given this sustained firepower, Salt’s omission from the bidding war was an undeniable surprise, leaving fans and pundits scratching their heads.
To add to it, his recent form was also electric. He smashed a T20 International century against the West Indies just a couple of days ahead of the auction. Buoyed by the snub, Phil Salt smashed another century against the same opposition just a few hours after the event in Dubai came to a close. He later admitted that he was ‘confused’ at not being bought at the auction.
James Neesham
Neesham has never got a consistent run in the cash-rich tournament.
James Neesham, the charismatic Kiwi all-rounder, known for his big-hitting and handy medium pace, went unsold in the glittering event, leaving fans and pundits alike surprised. He’s previously donned the jerseys of Delhi, Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, and most recently, Rajasthan Royals. However, unfortunately, he was never really given a consistent run by any of the franchises. Despite making his debut in 2014, he has featured in just 14 games.
A base price of INR 1.5 crore might have scared off some cautious franchises. His recent form, while decent, hasn’t been exceptional. With teams prioritizing younger talents and specific skill sets, Neesham’s versatility, though valuable, might not have perfectly aligned with any team’s immediate needs. The impact player rule has also made all-rounders a less preferred commodity.
Jason Holder
Jason Holder, despite prioritizing leagues in recent times, missed out on a deal.
Another big name that failed to land a deal was former West Indies Test captain Jason Holder who is a consistent performer in both T20Is and ODIs. Holder’s recent form hasn’t been impressive and that could possibly be the reason as to why he was ignored by the ten franchises. His overall IPL record across 46 games is also quite underwhelming. He has a strike rate of just 123.33 and an economy rate of close to 9 which is not ideal. Perhaps his base price of INR 1.5 crore also played a role.
In recent times, the all-rounder has prioritized T20 leagues over international cricket and so, this snub will surely hurt him. He will be desperate to regain his form so as to keep his hopes open in the event of injuries.
