At 9.5 crore, Watson is top pick at IPL 9 auction

The auction ahead of the ninth edition of the Indian Premier League had in store something on expected lines, and some surprises. 

Here's a look at the top buys, and a few smart ones.

Shane Watson
Royal Challengers Bangalore (Rs 9.5 crore)

Shane Watson's century in the recent T20 against India in Sydney upped his stakes considerably.

The former Rajasthan Royals captain was snapped up by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a whopping 9.5 crore.

This against a base price of Rs 2 crore. 

Pawan Negi
Delhi Daredevils (Rs 8.5 crore) 

A couple of years back Chennai Super Kings acquired him at his base price (Rs 10 lakh). 

And now Delhi Daredevils have loosened their purse strings considerably to acquire him. 

Against a base price of Rs 30 lakh, Pawan Negi has fetched, believe it or faint, Rs 8.5 crore.

And then he got selected for the India team for World T20. So twin good news for him.  

Yuvraj Singh
Sunrisers Hyderabad (Rs 7 crore)

Yuvraj Singh fetched the most in the last two season, Rs 14 crore in 2014 and Rs 16 crore last year. 

Both the seasons he flattered to deceive. 

No points for guessing his stock came down crashing this year. 

Having said that he is still fortunate that Sunrisers Hyderabad agreed to pay Rs 7 crore for his services this season. 

Chris Morris 

Delhi Daredevils (Rs 7 crore) 

He performed admirably for Chennai Super Kings, and Rajasthan Royals before that. 

A base price of Rs 50 lakhs was probably apt for the South Africa. 

That he went for 14 times that amount is shocking.  

Mohit Sharma
Kings XI Punjab (Rs 6.5 crore) 

It was Kings XI Punjab's first purchase.

And they paid Rs 6.5 crore for India discard Mohit Sharma.

Enough said! 

Ashish Nehra

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Rs 5.5 crore) 

This comes in as a huge surprise. 

Ashish Nehra is a decent bowler, and has made it to the Indian squad for the World T20. 

However, the price Hyderabad paid (Rs 5.5 crore) to acquire his services is something that belied all expectation.

Mitchell Marsh

Rising Pune Supergiants (Rs 4.8 crore) 

One of the highly-rated young players, it came in as no surprise that Mitchell Marsh fetched a good price. 

Rising Pune Supergiants paid Rs 4.8 crore to acquire his services. 

Murugan Ashwin
Rising Pune Supergiants (Rs 4.5 crore)

Murugan Ashwin has played all of three first class matches.

The Tamil Nadu leg-spinner albeit impressed in the recent national T20 championship for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Royal Challengers Bangalore were interested in the 25-year-old, but it was Rising Pune Supergiants which eventually won the bid.

But it did cost the new franchise a lot of money, Rs 4.5 crore to be precise (against a base price of Rs 10 lakh)

Now Murugan will play alongside Ravichandran in the Pune set up.

Deepak Hooda

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Rs 4.2 crore) 

Deepak Hooda's base price was just Rs 10 lakh.

Then started a war between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

That swelled Deepak Hooda's value 42 times, the player signed up by the Hyderabad franchise. 

Sanju Samson
Delhi Daredevils (Rs 4.2 crore)

 

Sanju Samson was hugely impressive for Rajasthan Royals. 

His consistent performance over the years meant Delhi Daredevils didn't hesitate paying Rs 4.2 crores. 

A great buy this for Delhi. 

Carlos Brathwaite
Delhi Daredevils (Rs 4.2 crore)

Carlos Brathwaite impressed during the recent West Indies tour Down Under. 

A base price of Rs 30 lakhs was perhaps somewhat undermining his efforts.

However, the fact that Delhi Daredevils paid 14 times the base price more than made up for it. 

A shocking acquisition for sure. 

Karun Nair
Delhi Daredevils (Rs 4 crore)

The former Rajasthan Royals player simply got lucky.

Starting with a base price of just Rs 10 lakhs, he earned 40 times over, thanks to a bidding war between Delhi and Hyderabad.

A desperate buy by Delhi daredevils. 

Jos Buttler 
Mumbai Indians (Rs 3.8 crore) 

One of the most promising young wicket-keeper batsmen, Jos Buttler's consistent displays meant he commanded a Rs 1.5 crore base price. 

Mumbai Indians paid more than double to acquire his services. 

Ishant Sharma

Rising Pune Supergiants (Rs 3.8 crore)

Ishant Sharma may not have made the cut for the Indian squad for the World T20.

He may have been one of the biggest disappointments during India's tour Down Under.

However, that didn't stop Rising Pune Supergiants from shelling out Rs 3.8 crore to acquire his services.

Kevin Pietersen
Rising Pune Supergiants (Rs 3.5 crore)

Kevin Pietersen's super performance in the Big Bash Bash league won him plaudits.

No wonder his base price was Rs 2 crore.

Rising Pune Supergiants acquired him by paying Rs 1.5 crore more.  

Pietersen in Dhoni's team, now that's interesting.

Praveen Kumar
Gujarat Lions (Rs 3.5 crore)

The India discard has been a decent success at the Indian Premier League. 

His base price was Rs 50 lakh. 

Gujarat Lions paid seven times that amount. 

Nathu Singh
Mumbai Indians (Rs 3.2 crore) 

Nathu Singh has been acquired by the Mumbai Indians.

After a three-way battle with Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore, the holders had their way. 

Against a base price of Rs 10 lakh, he secured a deal worth Rs 3.2 crore.

Tim Southee
Mumbai Indians (Rs 2.5 crore) 

New Zealand's strike bowler has been consistent in recent times.

He commanded a base price of Rs 1 crore.

Mumbai Indians eventually paid Rs 2.5 crore to strengthen their bowling arsenal. 

He is a smart buy no doubt.

Dale Steyn
Gujarat Lions (Rs 2.3 crore)

Dale Steyn is an asset for any team. 

That Sunrisers Hyderabad let him go was somewhat of a surprise. 

The world's premier fast bowler was snapped up by Gujarat Lions for Rs 2.3 crore.

Dwayne Smith
Gujarat Lions (Rs 2.3 crore)

Dwayne Smith was impressive for Chennai Super Kings.

So it was surprising that his base price was only Rs 50 lakhs.

However, it didn't come in as a surprise when Gujarat Lions acquired him for Rs 2.3 crore, almost five times more.