IPL 2018: 4 value-for-money buys of the season

In the world full of variety, the thumb rule for shopping is to go for the product that is cheap and best.

Imagine the sense of achievement that comes when we unknowingly buy the best things at a bargain price. Well, that's how some of the franchises might be feeling after the first 10 days of IPL 2018.

The auctions for this season of IPL saw franchises going all-out for some players while there were no takers for a large pool of players. Many franchises shed a major chunk of their purse for one or two players. However, there were still some players who, somehow, didn't attract many bids.

Now, to everyone's surprise, some of these players have already proved themselves as match-winners and their franchises would be feeling an immense joy of the purchase they made.

Let us look at four such players who are proving to be match-winners despite being bought at a bargained price.

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#4 Mayank Markande (20 lakhs)

Mayank Markande will look to make the most of the opportunity with MI.

During the toss in the opening game of the IPL, Rohit Sharma heaped praise on the young Mayank Markande. The name was hardly known in the cricketing circles. However, post that match, every IPL fan has become well-aware of the leg-spinner.

The young prodigy was bought by MI for a bargained price of 20 lakhs. MI was the only franchise that bid for him.

In the first game, Mayank returned with eye-catching figures of 3/23 in his four overs against CSK. In the next game, he again proved his credentials with figures of 4/23 against SRH. Unfortunately, MI ended up losing both close games.

The leg-spinner has already taken 11 wickets this season and has been the find of the season for the Mumbai team.

#3 KM Asif (40 lakhs)

Asif looks like a promising prospect for India in fast bowling.

The young fast-bowler has made a name for himself after playing just two matches for CSK. Hailing from Kerala, Asif is a genuine fast bowler who can consistently bowl at a good pace.

The young prodigy was bought by CSK for a mere Rs. 40 lakhs. He didn't get many chances in the initial phase of this season's IPL because of a star-studded line-up.

However, injury to Deepak Chahar, and Shardul Thakur's inefficiency at the death, led to his selection in the playing XI against Delhi Daredevils. Although he leaked a few runs, his ability to bowl the heavy ball impressed many pundits.

Going forward, CSK will look up to him as one of the death bowling options.

#2 Lungisani Ngidi (50 lakhs)

Ngidi has been impressive for CSK at the death.

South Africa is known to produce world-class fast bowlers time and again. Ngidi is another such bowler who has continued the legacy. The tall fast bowler bowls consistently in the 140s.

The lanky paceman was bought by CSK for his base price of Rs. 50 lakhs. However, just like Asif, he too had to wait on the sidelines in the initial phase of IPL 2018.

In the two matches he has played, Ngidi has looked very promising in the death overs for CSK.

The franchise would be hoping for Asif and Ngidi to solve their death over woes which have remained the team's Achilles' heel.

#1 Chris Gayle (2 crores)

Chris Gayle has set the stage on fire in IPL 2018.

The Universe Boss, as the world calls him, is the most sought-after player in T20 leagues around the world.

Chris Gayle is a match-winner, and on his day, can tear apart any bowling line-up in the world. He was pivotal in RCB's journey to the finals in the fourth season of the IPL, and has played some unforgettable innings.

However, his waning form in the last 2-3 seasons meant that he went unsold on day 1 of the auctions. The West Indian was finally bought by Kings XI Punjab for his base price of Rs. 2 crores at the fag end of the auctions.

After sitting out the first two games, Gayle got a chance in the third match against CSK. Not many would have anticipated what was to follow.

A 33-ball 63 at a strike-rate of 190.91 silenced the critics who had written him off. The game against CSK was just a trailer. Gayle has been in devastating form ever since, having scored a century and two half-centuries. RCB, surely, will feel like they have let the wrong man go.