Top five steal deals of IPL auction 2024

Gerald Coetzee. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The IPL 2024 auction concluded with much fanfare and history on December 19, in Dubai.  The auction’s highlight was two Australian fast bowlers, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who surpassed the Rs 20-crore barrier for the first time in auction history.

While the IPL auction dazzled with exorbitant price tags and marquee names, actual cricketing jewels frequently emerged from the shadows, bought for a fraction of their future value. These astute acquisitions, fashioned by astute franchises and astute scouts, are the foundation of championship-winning teams.

Let’s get away from the sparkle of the bidding war and look at the wisest and most cost-effective purchases in the IPL 2024 auction.

Here are the five Steal deals in IPL 2024 Auction:

1. Azmatullah Omarzai

Azmatullah. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

The Afghanistan all-rounder had impressed one and all with his batting and bowling skills in the recent ODI World Cup 2023. Azmatullah Omarzai proved to be a steal deal for Gujarat Titans for his base price of INR 50 lakh. GT needed a replacement for Hardik Pandya, who opted to move back to MI before the IPL 2024 edition.

Hardik Pandya had a clear impact on the Titans’ first championship run. His powerful batting, astute bowling, and charismatic leadership contributed significantly to their triumph. Replacing him was never going to be easy, but with his emerging talent and adaptability, Omarzai provides a unique and interesting possibility.

2. Gerald Coetzee

Gerald-Coetzee. (Photo Source: Twitter)

South African fast-bowler Gerald Coetzee was bought by Mumbai Indians for only INR 5 crores. Many expected the Proteas firebrand pacer to get the franchises to break their banks, but MI instead got him for a cheap deal. They have a raw pacer who bowls at 145 kph easily and is a handy batter down the order for a very economical price.

The Proteas pacer relies on sheer pace, deceptive variations, and his ability to induce uncomfortable bounce and skid off the pitch, making him a wicket-taking threat unlike any other in the MI camp. He has already said that he’s excited to bowl with Jasprit Bumrah for MI and this combination will be a lot to handle for opposition.

3. Wanindu Hasaranga

Wanindu Hasranga. (Photo Source: IPL)

One of the best and most effective spinners in white-ball cricket today, Wanindu Hasaranga was once bought by RCB for over INR 10 crores. However, his availability issues and injuries forced RCB to release him before the IPL 2024 auction. Enter Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who bought him for his base price of 1.5 crores during the auction.

Though Hasaranga missed most of 2023 due to injury, his arrival strengthened SRH’s spin department which was thin with only Washington Sundar at the helm. Now with Sundar, SRH has a proven wicket-taker and match-winner, capable of bamboozling batters with his variations.

4. Rachin Ravindra

Rachin-Ravindra. (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Rachin Ravindra proved to be a surprise at the 2023 edition of the ODI World Cup, notching over 578 runs with 3 centuries and also made handy contributions with the ball. Many expected Ravindra to be one of the most expensive buys in the IPL 2024 auction, but he smartly kept his base price low to gain a buyer and experience the IPL.

Chennai Super Kings got Ravindra for just INR 1.80 crores who joins their plethora of Kiwi cricketers. This signifies that CSK is moving on from their dad’s army tag and readying themselves for life after Moeen Ali and others.

5. Travis Head

Travis-Head. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)

Many would think that Travis Head was bought by SRH for INR 6.80 crores, so how could he be a steal deal for the franchise in the IPL 2024 auction? Head, who was the Player of the Match in both World Cup 2023 semi-final and final for Australia, is a multi-faceted player. He not only can bat anywhere in the batting order but can also bowl some mean off-spin and keep wickets as well. 

Head was touted as one of the most attractive buys in the IPL 2024 and despite a healthy bidding war, SRH managed to buy Head without breaking the INR 10-crore barrier for the left-handed batter. He is also a potential captaincy candidate for SRH, given that he was recently named Australia Test co-vice-captain and is the same in white-ball cricket as well.