IPL 2020: 5 costliest buys at the auction and how they'll improve their respective franchises

#2 Glenn Maxwell

Maxwell returns to Punjab for the 2020 edition of the IPL.

The details on Glenn Maxwell’s participation in the 2020 edition of the IPL were fuzzy initially, as the swashbuckling Australian all-rounder had taken an indefinite break from the sport due to mental health issues.

However, once his availability in the auction pool was confirmed at a base price of ₹2 crores, it became pretty obvious that Maxwell will have many suitors and that his price could breach the ₹10 crore mark, courtesy the role he can carry out with brutal efficiency and his proven pedigree in the IPL. And, this is exactly what happened earlier in Kolkata today.

Kings XI Punjab started the bidding for the 31-year-old and Delhi Capitals joined them soon after. What followed was a superb bidding war which was piquant and incredibly thrilling to watch. There was a lot of deliberation when the bidding reached ₹8.50 crores, but Delhi and Punjab both didn’t back down and were determined to land their man.

The wait to the crescendo was worth it, with Delhi finally admitting defeat when the bidding reached ₹10.75 crores, and Maxwell was sold to Punjab.

The Australian’s purchase makes a lot of sense, especially when you consider the fact that Punjab let go off David Miller. This leaves their middle-order pretty light in terms of firepower with the exception of Nicholas Pooran.

Maxwell’s arrival can also enable Punjab to consider the possibility of opening with the explosive Pooran, in case Chris Gayle underperforms or is ruled out due to an injury.