IPL Auction 2019: Hits and Misses 

Indian Premier League (IPL), from past ten years, has become an integral part of India's cricket calendar. Each year, the build-up to every new season tends to get underway from the IPL Auctions, which are slated months before the start of the tournament.

Even this year, when it is believed that the twelfth season will clash with the Lok Sabha elections in the country, the edition is assumed to begin early, even more, due to the World Cup which begins late May next year in 2019.

As a result, the auctions were held in December with no assurance over the hosts of IPL 2019. It was for the first time that the auctions moved from down South in India to the Pink city of Jaipur.

The development to the auctions saw frenzy among the fams with some big names at stake as the teams were geared up to fill in the loopholes in their line-ups.

The auction brought in a lot of surprises as franchises went about their business with smartness.

Some of the reputed names who are past their prime, saw no buyers, while the young crop of boys were the showstoppers at the latest IPL auctions.

It was intriguing as IPL auctions continue the trend to defy all the logic on that particular day. Some signings were astounding, while some saw jaw-dropping reactions.

Here's a look at such purchases which fall under the category of Hits and Misses at IPL auctions for 2019:

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Hits:

#1 Varun Chakravarthy (INR 8.4 Crore to Kings XI Punjab)

The most recent spin sensation in Varun Chakravarthy saw cricket stories flooded with his latest signing with Kings XI Punjab for his maiden stint at IPL 2019.

The 27-year old, who is being widely appreciated for his skills as a spinner for his state team at Tamil Nadu, was bought for a whopping INR 8.4 Crore by the Punjab-based franchise. Varun, a leg-spinner by choice has as much as seven variations to boast about his skills.

He was always in the reckoning after his remarkable outing for Tamil Nadu in this year's Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he emerged as the highest wicket-taker(22) for his side.

But he hogged the limelight after his stint in the TNPL for Madurai Panthers in 2018 did a world of good to his popularity as a mystery spinner.

His performance was also acknowledged by the ace off-spinner Harbhajan Singh after the veteran saw him at the CSK nets in IPL 2018.

Varun, who was priced at INR 20 lakhs in the auctions, bagged a contract 42-times his base price. It will be interesting to see how the youngster handles the limelight at IPL and forges his path for a call in the national team.

#2 Sam Curran (INR 7.2 Crore to Kings XI Punjab)

The bowling all-rounder had a major role in inflicting a series win for his country

Sam Curran, a product of Surrey Cricket Club, took the world by storm when he proved to be the difference between the two sides in the England-India Test series, earlier this summer.

The bowling all-rounder had a major role in inflicting a series win for his country. He was unarguably the biggest threat that India faced against a down and out English team in the 5-match Test series.

However, the formats might have changed but the world has certainly acknowledged his skills to be a match-winner.

The all-rounder was bought for a massive amount of INR 7.2 Crore to initiate his maiden stint at IPL with Kings XI Punjab next year.

The all-rounder possesses great skill with the bat and is as potent with his left-arm fast medium bowling being deadly consistent.

It is debatable as for how he may fare on the Indian soil given he's an unknown commodity in the sub-continent conditions against the white ball.

#3 Shivam Dube (INR 5 Crore to Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Shivam bowls right-arm medium pace to assist his left-handed batting in the lower middle order

A consistent performer for his state team, Shivam Dubey has been the find of the season for Mumbai. A handy all-rounder, Shivam bowls right-arm medium pace to assist his left-handed batting in the lower middle order.

He first came into the reckoning for his prowess with the bat in the domestic Mumbai T-20 league when he smacked Pravin Tambe for five sixes in an over.

His skills with the bat hand in hand with his ability to bowl some consistent line and length. The 25-year old was at the peak of his powers in the domestic circuit, to earn a hefty IPL contract with RCB.

What added to his cause was his clean hitting against Baroda in a Ranji Trophy game, a day prior to the auction, when he repeated the feat to hit five sixes off Swapnil Singh.

#4 Colin Ingram (INR 6.4 Crore to Delhi Capitals)

The 33-year old tends to play in T-20 leagues all around the globe

After going unsold in the previous IPL edition, former South African striker Colin Ingram saw a bidding war at the IPL auctions 2019, where eventually he was bought by Delhi Capitals for a hefty amount of INR 6.4 Crore.

Ingram, who was a part of the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in IPL 2011, could feature in only three games but this time he will hold a key overseas pick for Delhi given his recent T-20 form.

A T-20 freelancer, the 33-year old tends to play in T-20 leagues all around the globe. He has been a consistent performer in this format and there were no surprises in a tussle between the franchises for his acquisition with the team. He is a powerful striker and can bowl a handy leg-spin to aid to his bowling abilities.

He has grown in stature as a T20 player and can walk into any side merely on his batting talent. He will be crucial for Delhi's chances in the upcoming IPL edition next year.

Misses:

#1 Manoj Tiwary

Tiwary was a part of Kings XI Punjab in 2018

One of the regulars in the Indian domestic circuit for quite some time now, Manoj Tiwary didn't interest any franchise at the IPL auctions for 2019.

Tiwary was released by Kings XI Punjab ahead of the auctions after making appearances in only a few games in 2018. Bengal skipper has so far appeared in every edition of the IPL, unfortunately not to continue his streak in IPL-12 next year.

A typical Indian middle-order batsman, Tiwary has shown his ability in the past with both bat and the ball. In his 98 appearances at IPL, he boasts of nearly 1700 runs across eleven years.

It was indeed gut-wrenching for the 33-year old to conceive what went wrong that he saw no buyers at the IPL auction.

Tiwary, who was a vital cog for Rising Pune SuperGiants in 2017, in their most successful campaign before they lost in the final against Mumbai Indians.

His lower-order runs had bailed his team out of trouble on many occasions. Even in the domestic games for Bengal, the skipper stood tall many a times to fight until it was all over.

#2 Brendon McCullum

McCullum' s exclusion was an aberration

Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum also featured in the list of rare unfortunate players to not continue their tie-up with the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Ahead of the IPL, McCullum was released by Royal Challenger Bangalore after he had a pretty disappointing season as a middle-order bat and an opener.

It is no doubt that the retired Kiwi has lost his Midas touch with the bat and is no more a live wire in the field.

As a result, he had to warm the benches on most occasions in the previous season and even saw no buyers for the upcoming edition.

It is hard to fathom the fact that the player who saw the league on fire in its first-ever IPL game, will be now a part of history.

It must have been difficult for the 37-year old to see an end to his illustrious career at IPL, playing for the various franchise over the entire course of 11 years.

#3 Dale Steyn

South African pace bowler Dale Steyn was also among the ones ignored by the franchise at the IPL auctions

One of the most inspiring cricketers in the present day and age, South African pace bowler Dale Steyn was also among the ones ignored by the franchise at the IPL auctions.

His exclusion must have been forced due to his probable unavailability for the later half of the tournament pertaining to his World Cup commitments for his national team.

Steyn, who was out of action for a longer time than expected, the 35-year old made a strong comeback to give his last shot before calling it a quit.

He returned to the South African setup and looked better than ever, bowling quick, fiery and consistent spells. His will to continue until it lasts has given Proteas, a hope to secure their maiden World Cup title next year.

However, all this was not enough for the fast bowler to impress the team owners and the think-tank to allow him with a contract after two years.

#4 Chris Jordan

Jordan, who could only feature in the solitary game for the Orange Army

The English pace bowler Chris Jordan, after a decent IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, was released ahead of the IPL auctions for 2019. Jordan, who could only feature in the solitary game for the Orange Army, didn't fit into the scheme of things for any franchise to interest in his abilities.

A regular part of England's limited overs setup, Jordan might also be unavailable for his stint for a major part of May next year due to World Cup commitments.

It must have been difficult for the teams to acquire the services of a player with a base price as INR 1 Crore, to not be available for the business end of the tournament.

Jordan, who can bowl with pace, has been an expensive customer in the death for the various franchise that he played for in the past editions of the league.

Though his ability to hit sixes at will does aid to his batting capabilities, but not enough to include him as an overseas pick.