10 best all-rounders bought in the IPL 7 Auctions

Yuvraj Singh (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Yuvraj Singh – The Prince Returns!

Most might consider him a pure batsman, but for me, the Punjab dasher is a world-class all-rounder: the sort that the Indian cricket team sorely needs at this point of time. He won the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award at the 2011 WC not for his batting alone; his slow left-armers also proved to be useful, despite Kevin Pietersen calling them pie-chuckers.

Even though he may be out of form and match practice after a remarkable comeback from cancer, there is one undeniable fact: Yuvraj Singh remains India’s best T20 player at the moment. He can still change the course of a game with his power hitting, acrobatic fielding and, rather underrated, nagging bowling.

His presence has virtually made the Royal Challengers’ lineup resemble an impregnable fortress, and he will be itching to make a telling statement before heading off for the World T20 championships. Kohli will look to getting some guidance in terms of strategy from his illustrious senior, while the southpaw will chase redemption as he prepares for a gruelling tournament ahead.

The Prince has returned. I hope he becomes the King this time.

Steve Smith (Rajasthan Royals)

Steve Smith – Australian Tyro!

Tyro – that’s the word which comes to my mind when talking about Steven Peter Deveraux Smith, one of the rising stars in Australian cricket at the moment. He has effortlessly filled the role of a batting all-rounder for the Kangaroos, and in his stint with the now-defunct Pune Warriors, he did reasonably well.

The enthusiasm and freshness of youth that the 24-year-old brings to the game is enough to pep up any team. He can clear the ropes at will, possesses the ability to bring out the innovative strokes when required, and is a top-class fielder. A welcome addition to the Rajasthan Royals, the dynamic cricketer can be counted upon to deliver the goods when needed.

For the blond-haired Smith, it won’t be too different from representing Australia. After all, he will get to share the dressing room with some of his national teammates!

Darren Sammy (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Darren Sammy – Making it count?

The Caribbean all-rounder has been retained by the Sunrisers for the seventh season (via RTM card), and he is quite a handful in the shorter versions. For someone who led the West Indies to their first World T20 title, Sammy is grossly under-rated, and the dips in form haven’t helped much.

His heroics enabled the Sunrisers to reach the playoffs of the sixth edition, and despite a powerful all-round performance in the Eliminator, he couldn’t take his side over the finish line. He can keep a check on the runs with his steady pace while landing the huge hits every now and then to push the scoring along.

We can definitely expect more from the St Lucia native as he shapes up to take his franchise through to IPL glory.