5 Cricketers who might be released and bought back by same team for lesser price in the IPL 2020 Auction

While it might appear to be a rather easy task, the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction is not as easy-peasy as it looks. The IPL auction is not just about the teams lifting the paddle and the auctioneer selling the player. There is a whole new range of dynamics involved in this process. Teams strategize for hours together, several experts come in to play and so do the permutations and combinations.

There are certain margins teams put for players in terms of the spending. However, there are also situations where they need to go all-out keeping the importance of that player to the squad in mind. While teams have done that in the previous auctions, some of these cricketers failed to live up to the expectations.

However, it’d be an outrageous call to leave these quality players out based on one season’s performance. Maybe, the franchises will rather look to put them back in the auction pool and get them back for a lesser price.

Here are five IPL players who might be bought back by the same team for a lesser price:

1. Carlos Brathwaite | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

Starting with a base price of INR 75 lakhs, Carlos Brathwaite invited quite a bidding war during the IPL 2019 auction. The West Indies all-rounder, who was a part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier, didn’t fit into the plans of the side. Thus, he was back amongst the several players who were looking to find new bidders.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) seemed to be interested in him. In fact, these were the only two teams who bid for him in the auction last year. At last, KKR got him for a hefty price of INR 5 crores.

Given that he is almost a like-for-like replacement for Andre Russell, the franchise was keenly interested in him. But he only managed to score 11 runs in 2 games and didn’t pick up any wickets. Yet, given the value that he adds to the squad, KKR will want him but at a lesser price this time.

2. Jaydev Unadkat | Rajasthan Royals (RR)

For quite a few years now, Jaydev Unadkat has been a hot property at the IPL auction. Ever since he has had a highly impressive season for Rising Pune Supergiant where he picked up 24 wickets in 12 games, teams have been highly interested in him. Moreover, he is one of the most consistent bowlers at the domestic level in India and is regularly amongst the wickets.

He fetched INR 11.5 crores in the IPL 2018 auction and was sold to the Rajasthan Royals (RR). But he failed to impress and only picked up 11 wickets in 15 games. Moreover, he was highly expensive. Thus, RR used this same strategy for IPL 2019 and put him back in the auction pool only to get him at a cheaper price.

But to their surprise, four teams were interested in the left-arm pacer and his price went all the way up to INR 8.40 crores. Unadkat, however, had a dismal outing in IPL 2019 as well. So, it wouldn’t be a surprise if RR uses the same strategy for him once again.

3. Varun Chakravarthy | King XI Punjab (KXIP)

Touted to be one of the best finds of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), Varun Chakravarthy grabbed a lot of eyeballs the moment his name popped up at the auction last year. He is regarded to be a mystery spinner and is said to have five to six variations. Quite commonly, the teams were interested in getting him.

It started off with the Delhi Capitals (DC) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bidding for him. His price went all the way up to INR 3.40 crores before CSK backed out. Then, it was KKR and KXIP who were bidding for him and in the end, he went to KXIP for a mammoth INR 8.40 crores – 42 times his base price of INR 20 lakhs.

But Varun played just one game where he conceded 35 runs in three overs and picked up a wicket. Later, due to an injury, he couldn’t take part in further proceedings. KXIP might try to get him at a cheaper price this time and could even use an RTM card for him.

4. Colin Ingram | Delhi Capitals (DC)

While his career at the international level looked extremely bright early on, the graph went down just as quickly. As a result, he last played for the Proteas in 2013. It was during his best phase that he was picked in the IPL as well. In 2011, the Delhi Daredevils (now, Delhi Capitals) bought him and he played three games back then.

However, Ingram couldn’t really impress in any of these outings with his highest score being 13*. All this while, he has been a globetrotter and has played almost every T20 league in the world. With some impressive performances, he came into the limelight once again and his old franchise purchased him at the IPL 2019 auction once again.

The SRH and DC franchises went hard after him and he was ultimately sold for INR 6.40 crores. However, he couldn’t really justify this price as he only 184 runs in 12 games. The Capitals, thus, might put him back in the pool and buy him again.

5. Shimron Hetmyer | Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Probably one of the cleanest strikers of the cricket ball, Shimron Hetmyer was one of the most sought-after options for the franchises ahead of IPL 2019 auction. Both in the West Indies colours and in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), he impressed so much that as many as five franchises decided to bid for him. KXIP went relentlessly after him. But, it was RCB who managed to get him with their opening bid of INR 4.20 crores.

However, amidst all the expectations, Shimron Hetmyer failed terribly. At the start of the season, he struggled to get to double figures and was sidelined for many matches. But, towards the end of the season, he displayed his potential with a fine 75 off 47 balls.

The RCB franchise might want to give him a few more chances keeping his potential in mind. A lesser price, though, is what they would want for this Caribbean cricketer. So, he is another one of those who could be bought back by the same franchise.