Low price tag, high performance: A look at Indian players who shone in the T20 tournament

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Trust IPL to throw up surprises. One revelation in this year’s competition has been the stupendous performance of some lesser-known players who were bought for as minimal as Rs 2 lakh. These young guns on the block such as Umran Malik and Venkatesh Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Avesh Khan have overshadowed some seasoned pros, according to a report in the Times of India.

Here’s a quick appraisal of some of the young brigade’s performance vis-à-vis their auction prices.

Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders)

The Indore-born allrounder left a big impression with his performance in his first few IPL games. This 6’4 inches lad, as Kolkata Knight Riders coach Brendon McCullum has put it, is the main reason for the team’s incredible turnaround in the UAE leg of the IPL. He not only possesses a dazzling ability to hit the ball, but also bowls at medium pace. Iyer was bought in the auction for Rs 20 lakh.

Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings)

Ruturaj Gaikwad effortlessly driving the ball will remain in memory of IPL followers for long time. Gaikwad is one of the few Indian batters who dominated this year’s IPL season. Not only did he win the ‘Orange Cap,’ but also appeared to have gotten ahead in the queue for opener’s slot in Indian team. He might be tested against New Zealand at home following the T20 World Cup. Gaikwad could be the among the players the Chennai Super Kings would like to keep. Ruturaj Gaikwad was price tag in the auction was Rs 20 lakh.

Harshal Patel (Royal Challengers, Bangalore)

Patel took 32 wickets in the IPL, equalling Dwayne Bravo’s record for most wickets by a bowler in a single edition. He was devastating against the Mumbai Indians, scoring a hat-trick in the second leg to derail the defending champions. Patel was bought in the auction for Rs 20 lakh.

Avesh Khan (Delhi Capitals)

When your fast bowling teammates are Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, it’s difficult to stand out. But Avesh Khan put up a lion-hearted performance for Delhi Capitals, grabbing 24 wickets in 16 games. With his searing yorkers, canny variations, and good pace, the 24-year-old looked anxious to make an impression on the batsmen. The Indore cricketer has been a net bowler for the Indian squad for some time now, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets his big break. Khan’s price was Rs 7 lakh in the auction.

Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings)

In white-ball cricket, the Punjab medium-pacer can provide India with the much-needed left-arm variety. He has the ability to bowl the wide yorker, a key component of the bowler’s arsenal in the limited over format. For Punjab Kings, he was the go-to death bowler, and he excelled in that role. Singh cost Punjab Kings Rs 2 lakh in the auction.

Umran Malik (SunRisers Hyderabad)

He brings in raw pace and is capable of bowling at more over 150 kilometres per hour. Umran, the son of a fruit seller, was brought in as a substitute for T Natarajan in the SunRisers Hyderabad team, and he immediately made an impression. Umran has been called in for T20 World Cup duty as a net bowler. Umran Malik was bought in the auction for Rs 2 lakh.

KS Bharat (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Andhra Pradesh’s wicketkeeper-batsman has a long history in the domestic cricket. Bharat’s turn in the spotlight came in the 2021 IPL. He showed off a variety of strokes while batting at No. 3 for RCB. During a match-winning 52-ball 78, he crushed Avesh Khan for a last-ball six to win the game against Delhi Capitals, demonstrating that the 28-year-old has the temperament to handle pressure. Bharat price tag was Rs 20 lakh.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals)

With each game, the Mumbai native improved. Jaiswal hit a 19-ball fifty against CSK, the fastest by a Rajasthan Royals batter ever. In the near future, much will be said about the 19-year-old. For all we know, RR may decide to keep this left-handed batsman. Yashasvi Jaiswal was bought in the auction for Rs 24 lakh.