Top 5 steals of IPL 2024 auctions that left fans wondering

IPL has changed the lives of many players whether they have been Indian or from overseas. Every year hundreds of players get traded in the IPL auctions and from there get a platform to showcase their talent in the World’s most competitive cricketing league. 

But sometimes it’s the other way round as some of the best players from around the world feature in IPL and sometimes the dynamics of the auctions are such that some of the best players get sold at an amount which is quite less than what the fans and many analysts expected them to get which can be termed as a steal by many.

Let’s have a look at the list of top 5 players who are probably the steals of the IPL Auction 2024:

1. Wanindu Hasaranga

Wanindu Hasaranga is Sri Lanka’s one of the most valuable T20I players. He is a mystery spin bowler with some tricky variations in his armoury. Apart from his spin prowess, he is quite a handy batter to have towards the end of an innings which adds one more dimension to his skills.

He played a crucial role in taking RCB to the playoffs in IPL 2022 and also has been ICC’s top-ranking bowler in T20Is over the year. Although he is currently grappling with injuries, he is expected to get fit by the time the IPL begins and can be a really good buy for Sunrisers Hyderabad at a price point of 1.5 crore.

2. Rachin Ravindra

Arguably the most remarkable bargain in the IPL 2024 auction occurred with Rachin Ravindra, secured by CSK for a mere 1.8 crore. Before the auction, enthusiasts anticipated Rachin fetching a price of at least 7-8 crore, considering his impressive batting performances in the World Cup and his additional skill in left-arm finger spin bowling. 

The bidding war commenced between DC and CSK, with PBKS also expressing interest. Ultimately, CSK coach Stephen Fleming successfully acquired Rachin at a surprisingly low cost. Given the immense talent with the bat and ball, this young Kiwi southpaw possesses it looked like a steal by CSK

3. Azmatullah Omarzai

Gujarat Titans snapped Azmatullah Omarzai at his base price of 50 lakhs. Though he is not much talked about in the international circuit those who followed the recently concluded ODI World Cup closely would be aware of what this young all-rounder from Afghanistan brings to the table.

Fast-bowling all-rounders are not much in abundance around the world, especially of the quality of Omarzai. He played a handy knock with the bat against India and played an almost match-winning knock against Australia where he impressed with both the bat and the ball. At 50 lakhs, Omarzai is no less than a steal for the Gujarat Titans.

4. Kartik Tyagi

Kartik Tyagi is a budding Indian fast bowler who was bought by Gujarat Titans for 60 lakhs. He has already been a part of the IPL setup and has shown that he has the raw pace with him and is starting to mature with time.

Many franchises have tried some young fast bowlers with raw pace in the last few years but none of them has been able to make a significant mark. Therefore, if Kartik Tyagi blossoms under the management of Gujarat Titans then this buy can be the game changer for them.

5. Dilshan Madhushanka

Dilshan Madhushanka was Sri Lanka’s spearhead fast bowler in the ODI World Cup and took 21 wickets in just 9 matches including a five-wicket haul against India on a placid Wankhede track. Being a left-arm pacer who could bowl both at the start and the death and can swing the ball both ways makes Madhushanka a mouth-watering prospect for the IPL. Additionally, having an international-level left-fast bowler in your team is always a bonus.