A list of top 7 surprise picks at the IPL 2016 Auction.
With the IPL auctions concluding on Saturday, it was a day of surprises. The cash-rich league lived up to the expectation of being a stage for youngsters. Many sensational as well as interesting picks were seen in Saturday's draft.
Shane Watson and Pawan Negi emerged as the top paid international and domestic players respectively. Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh wasn't lucky enough to be crowned the most expensive player for the third time and instead got a huge pay cut.
But the day belonged to India's uncapped players, with a host of them getting picked up by top teams.
Here's a list of top 7 surprise picks at the IPL 2016 Auction.
1) Pawan Negi to Delhi Daredevils for Rs 8.5 crore
It was a day to remember for the left-arm spinner, becoming the highest paid player just a day after getting the call-up for World T20 squad. It was a rather unusual price tag for a player who has yet to receive an international cap. In the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Negi took six wickets in nine matches.
2) Chris Morris to Delhi Daredevils for Rs 7 crore
The South African international was being pursued by three teams— Pune, Mumbai and Kolkata. But Delhi entered in between and went unchallenged. The interesting thing was that Morris wasn't picked for today's encounter against England, but proved to be a valuable pick for Delhi.
3) Carlos Braithwaite to Delhi Daredevils for Rs 4.2 crore
The little-known West Indian was another surprise pick. His recent form Down Under, where he scored quickfire fifties, might be one of the reasons for him being picked up. It was another smart buy for Delhi considering his all-rounder abilities.
4) Mohit Sharma to Kings XI Punjab for Rs 6.5 crore
The former Chennai player has been out of form lately, losing his place in the Indian squad. But Kings XI Punjab have put faith in the pacer. With a list of other equally talented bowlers, Mohit Sharma was a surprise pick for such an amount.
5) Nathu Singh to Mumbai Indians for Rs 3.2 crore
No one even knew this youngster till Mumbai Indians made him a crorepati today. The little-known fast bowler from Rajasthan averages around 140 kmph in a spell. With just 6 first-class matches played, this was quite a staggering amount for a 20-year old. There are reports that he may be the most fastest bowler in the country. We will know for sure when the IPL begins.
6) M Ashwin to Rising Pune Supergiants for Rs 4.5 crore
Again, this little-known boy from Tamil Nadu was paid a great deal. Although his stats could be misleading, his recent performance in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Tournament caught everyone's attention. R Ashwin and he share a connection, having graduated from the same college.
7) Deepak Hooda to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 4.2 crore
One more youngster benefiting from the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Tournament. The former Rajasthan Royal man claimed he went blank after hearing about his trade. The 20-year old all-rounder will have a lot to prove considering his price tag.
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