IPL XI that is cheaper than Shane Watson

Despite only just returning to the Australian side, Shane Watson became the IPL Auction 2016's most expensive buy as he went to the Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs. 9.5 crores. Given they already had Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers as their top three, it was hard to see why Bangalore went for him.Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure, there were certainly plenty of other players that they could have spent their money on. In fact, they could have bought an entire team with the money they spent on Watson.How good would that team be? Could they win the title? Well, here is your answer as this is an XI that could have been bought for the amount paid for the Australian all-rounder.The side has been picked with seven Indians and four foreign players and all the players combined cost under Rs 9.5 crore. Here is an IPL XI that is cheaper than Shane Watson:

#1 Aaron Finch (Gujarat Lions - Rs. 1 crore)

He might not have played a single Test yet for Australia but when it comes to T20s, few can argue that there are few openers in world cricket than Aaron Finch. The hard-hitting right-hander has been a revelation in the format, ever since he made his international debut in 2011.

His numbers in the format are extremely impressive, so not only is he a bargain at 1 crore, he is also the perfect player to slot into the opener's slot in this side. With Brendon McCullum already in the side, Gujarat Lions might already boast of the best opening partnership in the IPL. So bowlers should certainly beware.

#2 Dwayne Smith (Gujarat Lions - Rs. 2.3 crore)

Dwayne Smith might not be a regular starter in the West Indian T20 side, but his performances in last year's IPL showed that he is still extremely lethal. The West Indian opener was also snapped up by the Gujarat Lions, who will have problems aplenty when they have to decide on an opening pair between him and Brendon McCullum, who already combined beautifully together at CSK and Finch, arguably one of the best openers in the format at the moment.

Still it is a problem that the Lions would be rejoicing as the West Indian can provide good competition for places in their ranks. In any case, his inclusion into this side is a bit of a no-brainer, especially considering the paucity of opening options in the IPL Auction 2016.

#3 Colin Munro (Kolkata Knight Riders - Rs. 30 lakhs)

The IPL teams seemed to have an aversion to players from New Zealand in the auction as plenty of good Kiwi players, like Martin Guptill and Jimmy Neesham went unsold in the IPL Auction 2016. And those that were sold turned out to be bargain buys for their franchise like Colin Munro, who was snapped up by KKR.

A hard-hitting batsman capable of dismantling any attack, the Kiwi brings some variety in the batting line-up, which has three right-handers in the top three. But, he isn't just here to make up the numbers. In fact, going by the numbers, he arguably is the best signing of the lot both due to potential and the impact he might create.

#4 Baba Aparajith (Rising Pune Supergiants - Rs. 10 lakhs)

Even at 21, Baba Aparajith is a bit of an unknown quantity as far as T20 is concerned as he hasn't featured much in the IPL, despite always being in the Chennai Super Kings squad. While he might also fail to make the starting XI regularly for Pune, there can be little doubt of his usefulness, when he does bat.

A classical player, who is more at home in the longer formats, Aparajith has shown that he is versatile enough to adapt to any situations. Much like CSK's previous fire-fighter Subramaniam Badrinath, who made the cut last year, the 21-year-old is something you want by your side when the going gets tough.

#5 Sam Billings (Delhi Daredevils - Rs. 30 lakhs)

While much of the attention was on England's first-choice keeper, Sam Billings shrewd signing showed that not all IPL teams were swayed by what they saw on the television. While there is denying that Jos Buttler is the finished product at the moment, Billings has done enough to suggest that he is the perfect replacement for Buttler.

Not only is he an athletic and agile wicketkeeper, Billings make the extraordinary shots that many modern batsmen play look ordinary. The ease with which he can switch gears and go on the rampage means he is the perfect player to have in the middle order to provide some thrust in the innings.

#6 Rajat Bhatia (Rising Pune Supergiants - Rs. 60 lakhs)

All-rounders who are equally capable with both the bat and the ball are a rarity. While Rajat Bhatia might not be in the same class as Jacques Kallis, he is arguably a similar version of the South African legend in the domestic circuit. A loyal servant wherever he has been, Bhatia has shown he can adapt to any situation.

While his medium pace can easily be ignored by those who only care about the speedometer, his effectiveness cannot be questioned. Whether it bowling a few tight overs or providing the innings with a final flourish, Bhatia can do it all and at just 60 lakhs, Rising Pune Supergiants certainly have a steal on their hands.

#7 Irfan Pathan (Rising Pune Supergiants - Rs. 1 crore)

After him or before him in the batting order depending on the situation is Irfan Pathan. The 31-year-old all-rounder has been in stunning form over the last few months and it was certainly surprising to see that he was snapped up for his base price of 1 crore.

His numbers with both bat and ball in the current season, both in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, are proof that Irfan is certainly back with a bang. While he was certainly unlucky to miss out on a spot in the Asia Cup squad or the World T20, he makes the cut here and will be a valuable addition to the side.

#8 Dhawal Kulkarni (Gujarat Lions - Rs. 2 crores)

Dhawal Kulkarni might not be a big name international or a fashionable signing, but in the form that he is in, there can be little argument that he is most certainly worth the 2 crore that Gujarat Lions paid to secure his services.

Economical with the ball and capable of a few hits lower down the order, Dhawal Kulkarni is the perfect new ball bowler in Indian conditions, especially in the shorter formats. While he doesn't have the pace to trouble batsmen, his metronomic accuracy and useful variations make him a valuable asset to the side.

#9 RP Singh (Rising Pune Supergiants - Rs. 30 lakhs)

While many eyes might have been on Barinder Sran, who went for 1.2 crores RP Singh's signing at just 30 lakhs shouldn't be overlooked. The left-arm fast bowler, who won the World T20 with India in 2007, has 87 IPL wickets to his name and has also previously won the Purple Cap.

Only five bowlers have taken over 100 wickets in the IPL and RP Singh will be hoping to join that illustrious company when he turns out for the Rising Pune Supergiants. A good swing bowler, with a good variation of pace and yorker, RP is certainly one to look out for, if he can get back to being the bowler he was when he played regularly for India.

#10 Pravin Tambe (Gujarat Lions - Rs. 20 lakhs)

At 44, he is comfortably the oldest player to make the side but that should take nothing away from just how important he has come to be in the IPL for his side. After being plucked from obscurity by the Rajasthan Royals, Pravin Tambe repaid their faith by picking up quite few wickets and bamboozling the batsmen with his variations.

The surprise in his selection is not that he has been picked for Gujarat Lions, but that he has been snapped up for just 20 lakhs. While his age might have had something to do with that, he is certainly a bargain for the Lions, who will have a quality spinner to lead their spin department.

#11 Barinder Sran (Sunrisers Hyderabad - Rs. 1.2 crore)

When Barinder Sran had made the Indian squad for the tour against Australia, many were surprised as little was known about this left arm fast bowler. But in his first game, against the reigning World Champions, he showed just what he is made of, as he picked up 3 wickets in conditions that weren't especially conducive to fast bowling.

Although he hasn't really done a lot since that impressive debut, he has already comparisons with one of India's best bowlers in Zaheer Khan. His Punjab teammates, including Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh, have been glowing in their tributes of him and if he can back that up with performances in the maiden IPL, he will certainly be worth the money Sunrisers Hyderabad paid for him.

The fact that he will have two of the best left-arm bowlers from 2015 and Ashish Nehra to call for advice will only help Sran develop.