Indian Premier League (IPL) this year is loaded heavily in favour of the batsman but it was the bowlers who got favoured in the auction. A total of 135.95 crores was spent on 61 players including 33 Indians in IPL 2020. Pat Cummins who went for ~15.50 crore.
Kings XI Punjab coach Anil Kumble issued a statement in the auction, “It is obvious bowlers are crucial in T20s,”
Let’s look at the five most expensive players in IPL Auction 2020:
Mumbai Indians: Nathan Coulter-Nile – INR 8 crore
This impeccable Australian bowler was bagged by the defending champions Mumbai Indians and he will part of an already strong bowling attack which will already have a dynamic quick bowling lot like the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult and Lasith Malinga. What Coulter-Nile might do is he will be adding some good depth to the stocks and can add as a cover to both Malinga and Boult.
He has a good bowling record of 36 wickets in 26 matches and a good economy rate of 7.66.
Kings XI Punjab: Sheldon Cottrell – INR 8.5 crore
This West Indies dynamic fast bowler was on the chase for top bidders like that of Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals, but was eventually bought up by Kings XI. He has an impressive bowling record of 117 wickets against his name from 83 matches at an average of 19.08.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Chris Morris – INR 10 crore
Chris Morris is anyway always on the chase in any IPL auction, he has gotten some crazy bids like the likes of Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Mumbai Indians too did a favour and jumped in, but Punjab won the war as they bagged him for 10 crores.
Kings XI Punjab: Glenn Maxwell – INR 10.75 crore
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell the devil dynamite was picked up by Kings XI for a whopping Rs 10.75 crore (US$ 1.5 million approx.) and well, it continues the trend of the Australian having a great impact on auctions.
When asked to Anil Kumble as to why KXIP went out of their way to gain Maxwell, Head coach Anil Kumble said that they were looking at experience and all-round package, and Maxwell had what it takes?
Kolkata Knight Riders: Pat Cummins – 15.50 crore
Well, the number 1 Test bowler doing a great deal of work in the pitch is surfacing now to be one of the costliest overseas players ever to take part in the Indian Premier League.
A proper bidding war occurred between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals for Pat Cummins. And then RCB made the deal secure, Kolkata Knight Riders jumped right in and got him.
