Down the drain: 5 disappointing big buys in IPL history
The IPL is often termed as the “cash-rich league” and definitely for all the right reasons. Over the years in the auctions, there have been some mind-boggling purchases and some incredible bucks paid to players by the franchises in return. But not all the players live up to the expectations and justify their price tag by performing. Here are 5 such ones who got fat paychecks but failed to perform per the cash they received-
Manish Pandey – Sunrisers Hyderabad
The right-handed middle-order batsman has spent a couple of years with the Hyderabad-based franchise. However, he has not been able to live up to the mark. He was roped in by the Orange Army for a hefty sum of INR 11 crores ahead of 2018. But just 284 runs in 15 matches at 25.81 certainly did not justify the tag. In the following season, he marginally bettered his form with 344 runs at 43 although this too was not a performance of substance.
Jaydev Unadkat – Rajasthan Royals
A bunch of eyebrows was raised when Rajasthan decided to invest a baffling INR 11.5 crores in the Indian pacer Jaydev Unadkat. The pacer had an immensely successful season in 2017 where he claimed 24 wickets from 12 matches. However, Unadkat had a cold IPL outing with 11 scalps in 15 matches and an economy of 9.65. Things went worse in 2019 when he was retained for INR 8.4 crores, and claimed only 10 wickets in 11 games at an expensive rate of 10.66.
Ben Stokes – Rajasthan Royals
The English all-rounder has made quite a reputation in the game with his great exploits across formats. However, things were not so happening for Stokes in IPL 2018. After justifying his price tag of a staggering INR 14.5 crore with the Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017, the Rajasthan Royals chased him without a thought in 2018 and booked him for INR 12.5 crores. Performing quite opposite to the previous year’s standards, Stokes registered merely 196 runs at 16.33 with the bat. He was poor with the ball as well, picking just 8 wickets from 13 matches. 2019 was even worse as he scored just 123 runs and scalped 6 wickets in 9 matches.
Dinesh Karthik – Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Dinesh Karthik has been a mainstay of KKR from the last couple of seasons. His performance in the IPL has improved a lot over the years but he has had his share of struggle. The Delhi Daredevils occupied Karthik’s services for a massive INR 12.5 crores ahead of the 2014 season. However, the wicketkeeper-batsman could only manage 325 runs at 23.21. Released by DD, he was roped in by RCB for the next season for another gigantic sum of INR 10.5 crore. Failing terribly, he managed merely 141 runs at 12.81.
Yuvraj Singh – Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils
The swashbuckling southpaw Yuvraj Singh has won his nation many matches with class and style. Being aware of his match-winning and all-round capabilities, RCB poured in a monstrous INR 14 crores ahead of the 2014 season for him. Failing to justify their investment, Yuvi ended up scoring merely 376 runs at 34.18 from 14 matches. Showing faith in him, the Delhi-based franchise spent a whopping sum of INR 16 crores ahead of the next season. But much to everyone’s disappointment, Yuvraj managed only 248 runs at a terrible average of 19.07.
