IPL 2014 Player Auctions: Why did Yuvraj Singh fetch Rs 14 Crore?

Brand value

Brand value of Yuvraj helps

People usually end up paying for a name that sounds more familiar. Something similar has happened here, as he is not in the best form of his life and there are many names who are currently doing better than him. He may have been favoured due to his name and the image that he carries. Mention him and everyone goes back to remembering the World Cup triumph of 2011 or the 6 sixes he hit against England. Thus, you expect a name like him to carry a high price tag, which is exactly what has happened.

It would be surprising to many had he gone for a low price, simply because it just doesn’t fit with his name. Somebody like Muralitharan who was bought for just 1 vrore may not have done justice to his brand value, and one can easily recognise that his present form was given more consideration over his name.

Something completely different happened in Yuvi’s case, and he will only be too happy. But now that the ball is in his court, he has to prove his worth. It can also help him make his way back to the national side. If he does well, it will be viewed naturally, at least by his die-hard fans. “It is Yuvraj, after all. He can’t help being awesome,” they will say. On the other hand, if he fails, it will be said that he wasn’t able to find his form. The brand may take a beating in that case.

His Presence

Yuvi is inspirational

His presence does affect the team spirit. His body language is such that the whole team is uplifted. The fighter attitude that emanates from him is very inspiring. You will never see him agitated or tired on the cricket field. He is charged up and rearing to go most of the time. And that is what rubs off to the rest of the team, as well. This happened at least when he was the captain, whether it was with the Kings XI Punjab or the Pune Warriors.

Add to that the marvellous fielding efforts he produces to take impossible catches or produce unlikely run-outs. His presence adds the venom to any batting line-up. You see his name in a team, and you can be certain that he will make life difficult for you. Among his best fielding efforts in the IPL was the last ball run out against the Mumbai Indians to dismiss their no. 10 batsman, which resulted in Punjab winning the game by 1 run to complete a thrilling contest. Such heroics on the field is what makes him desirable to have in one’s team, and all this is probably what Virat Kohli had in mind when he expressed the desire to have him play for the RCB.

RCB already has players who portray a very positive body language (people like de Villiers and Kohli) and are a decent fielding side. Having Yuvraj in their ranks will only improve their presence on the field as a side. They also have new overseas faces in Mitchell Starc and Albie Morkel, both of whom will surely contribute in this regard.