Notably, Steve Smith, a seasoned player with a prolific IPL record, surprisingly failed to attract any team interest. The absence of the Australian batsman, who moved from Rajasthan Royals to Delhi Capitals in the previous auction, was unexpected.
Another notable player who went unsold was Australian pace bowler Josh Hazlewood. Despite playing a crucial role in Australia's recent ODI World Cup victory, Hazlewood did not receive any bids in the IPL 2024 auction. The reason behind his exclusion was his unavailability during the initial phase of the tournament, as he anticipated the arrival of his first child in March and April.
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The disappointment continued for other players like Josh Inglis, Adil Rashid, and Rassie Van Der Dussen, who remained unsold in the auction. The list of unsold players included both batsmen and all-rounders, such as Karun Nair, Phillip Salt, Kusal Mendis, Colin Munro, and more.
The IPL auction also witnessed a surprising development with former Australian captain Pat Cummins becoming the most expensive buy in auction history. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) showed interest in Cummins but eventually pulled out at Rs 20.25 crore, allowing SunRisers Hyderabad to secure him at Rs 20.50 crore. Mitchell Starc surpassed this record by being bought for Rs 24.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders.
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RCB's performance in the auction drew criticism, with fans and experts expressing disappointment over the team's choices. Dodda Ganesh, a former India and Karnataka fast bowler, voiced his dissatisfaction, stating that RCB fans could do a better job at the auction table. RCB's approach, including the decisions related to Pat Cummins and other players, was questioned by cricket experts.
The auction highlighted a trend where fast bowlers were in high demand, with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins securing top bids. The costliest Indian player in the auction was Harshal Patel, a pace bowler, who was bought by Punjab Kings for Rs 11.75 crore. Yash Dayal, a Uttar Pradesh fast bowler, attracted a bid of Rs 5 crore from RCB, adding to the emphasis on pacers in the IPL 2024 auction.
Chetan Sakariya, a left-arm pacer, had a contrasting experience as he was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 50 lakh. Sakariya, who played for Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals earlier, acknowledged that he was disappointed not to be retained but understood the team's decision. He expressed a desire to learn from players like Mitchell Starc and Gautam Gambhir, KKR's mentor.
The auction dynamics also led to unsold players expressing their views on the outcome. Chetan Sakariya, reflecting on his release before the auction, mentioned that he wasn't shocked but felt disappointed. He acknowledged not meeting the performance expectations and cited the competition within the team's bowling options.
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Overall, the IPL 2024 auction showcased a mix of excitement and letdowns, with unexpected twists in player choices and team strategies. As the franchises gear up for the upcoming season, the dynamics of the auction will likely impact the team's compositions and strategies on the field.
