Just like every previous edition, the IPL 2024 auction had its share of surprises: some cricketers were unexpectedly picked, while some top performers missed out.

Not picked at IPL 2024 auction

Finn Allen (base price: INR 75 lakh)

With a 1,000-run cut-off, no batter in the history of Twenty20 cricket has a strike rate better than Allen’s 168, and also keeps wicket. But he did not find a bidder for the 2024 edition and remains uncapped at the IPL.

Phil Salt (base price: INR 1.5 crore)

Like Allen, Salt keeps wicket as well as batting at the top of the order, and strikes 156 in his Twenty20 career – a number that goes up to 158 in internationals. Even recent success could not assure him a berth: three days ago, he slammed a belligerent 109 not out to help England pull off their highest chase against the West Indies.

Adil Rashid (base price: INR 2 lakh)

There were no takers for England’s 2022 T20 World Cup hero, whom Sunrisers Hyderabad left out after two matches in 2023. Since the start of 2021, Rashid averages 23.60 with the ball in all Twenty20 matches while going at seven and a half an over, but as is often the case, the overseas slots were mostly occupied by batters and fast bowlers.

Akeal Hosein (base price: INR 50 lakh)

Another victim of the franchise’s lack of interest in overseas spinners – a justifiable trend, perhaps, given the abundance of Indian tweakers – left-arm spinner Hosein has a terrific career economy rate of 6.78, and has been the West Indies’ go-to spinner for some time.

Keshav Maharaj (base price: INR 50 lakh)

Given the trend, Maharaj was unlikely to be sold despite conceding only 6.83 an over in his career. Yet, there was hope after the World Cup (15 wickets at 24.67, economy 4.15), for the best performers at the tournament were rewarded at the auction. It did not materialise.

Hrithik Shokeen (base price: INR 20 lakh)

In 2022, Mumbai Indians scouted, selected and gave a Twenty20 cap to Delhi off-spinner Shokeen. He was released ahead of the 2024 auction but, given his low base price, there was always a chance of him getting an Indian spinner with IPL experience. It did not happen.

Picked at IPL 2024 auction

Shai Hope (Delhi Capitals, INR 75 lakh)

Delhi did not have to spend a lot on Hope, but going for someone whose strike rates across formats (45 in first-class, 78 in List A, 126 in Twenty20) suggest a general inability to accelerate made little sense. Ability to keep wicket does not add much value, for Delhi already have a small army of glovemen.

Ashton Turner (Lucknow Super Giants, INR 1 crore)

Turner does boast of a strike rate of 141 in the format, but it has been a while since he has done anything of note, and he has not been in national contention for some time.

KS Bharat (Kolkata Knight Riders, INR 50 lakh)

Kolkata have probably zeroed in on Rahmanullah Gurbaz as a starter, but they still needed another wicketkeeper – an Indian one – not only for emergencies but to accommodate other overseas players. While that is true, the selection of a 30-year-old with a career scoring rate of 112 was baffling. This, when 20 Indian wicketkeepers priced at INR 20 lakh went unsold, including Urvil Patel of Gujarat who strikes at 155.

Tom Curran (Royal Challengers Bangalore, INR 1.5 crore)

Why Curran, a bowler who goes at 8.80 an over and has not played for England since the summer of 2021, and why for that price? Perhaps it was the 3-19 against the Hobart Hurricanes a week ago that clinched it.

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