IPL Auction 2018: From Faf du Plessis to Shakib Al Hasan, 14 players who are absolute 'steals'

From a franchise's point of view, a great auction isn't one where you grab headlines for acquiring the most expensive player. It simply comes down to this - did you spend your money cost-effectively?

While the limelight has been stolen by players who took home the big bucks in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 auctions over the weekend, there will be franchises that'll be smiling quietly for spending their money wisely.

Owners broke the bank to get Ben Stokes, Jaydev Unadkat and the likes. However, there were also those players who were obtained for remarkably reasonable prices. Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils are the two sides who seemed to have made the most 'steals' at the IPL 2018 auctions.

Here's a list of such players

Murali Vijay

Base Price: Rs 2 crore

Sold for: Rs 2 crore

Bought by: Chennai Super Kings

The stylish right-hander was bought for his base price by a team with whom he's had considerable success in the past. During the years CSK was the team to beat in the IPL, Vijay was responsible for providing the Men In Yellow the impetus at the top of the order. There's no reason why he can't find that spark again.

Quinton de Kock 

Base Price: Rs 2 crore

Sold for: Rs 2.8 crore

Bought by: Royal Challengers Bangalore

The South African keeper-bat, along with compatriot Hashim Amla, is a real threat to Virat Kohli when it comes to ODI records. De Kock is prolific in white-ball cricket and his record in India is phenomenal too. A solid buy for RCB.

Faf du Plessis

Base Price: Rs 1.5 crore

Sold for: Rs 1.6 crore

Bought by: Chennai Super Kings

Another South African with an understanding of Indian wickets, Du Plessis boasts of a great record for CSK. The Proteas skipper has often said that he enjoys playing in the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. With a mere 1.6 crore, CSK have brought a lot to the table in the form of Du Plessis.

 

Shakib Al Hasan

Base Price: Rs 1 crore

Sold for: Rs 2 crore

Bought by: Sunrisers Hyderabad

One of the best all-rounders in world cricket for several years now, Shakib is definitely a steal for that amount. The left-arm spinner and batsman possesses the ability to turn the game around with his all-round skills. SRH have a true match-winner in their ranks with the Bangladeshi veteran.

Gautam Gambhir

Base Price: Rs 2 crore

Sold for: Rs 2.8 crore

Bought by: Delhi Daredevils

The feisty left-hander will represent his home team after captaining Kolkata Knight Riders for several years. With 2.8 crore, DD not only have a bankable opener but also a captain. Great buy, indeed.

Kane Willimson

Base Price: Rs 1.5 crore

Sold for: Rs 3 crore

Bought by: Sunrisers Hyderabad

The New Zealand right-hander is right up there with the best in the world. He had a decent IPL 2017 for SRH and the franchise did well to not let him go. At that price, the IPL 2016 champs have ensured stability in their middle-order.

Jason Roy

Base Price: Rs 1.5 crore

Sold for: Rs 1.5 crore

Bought by: Delhi Daredevils

The right-hander played a stunning knock of 180 against Australia during England's victory in the just-concluded ODI series. He also had an impressive outing when his side toured India last year. DD have added a considerable amount of firepower in their middle-order with Roy.

 

Imran Tahir

Base Price: Rs 1 crore

Sold for: Rs 1 crore

Bought by: Chennai Super Kings

The No.5 ranked T20 bowler in world cricket was acquired for his base price by CSK. Tahir had an impressive IPL 2017 for Rising Pune Supergiant, picking 18 wickets in 12 matches at a strike-rate of 15. Leg-spinners tend to be among the wickets in the shortest format of the game. CSK will surely be smiling to have Tahir at that price.

Prithvi Shaw

Base Price: Rs 20 lakh

Sold for: Rs 1.2 crore

Bought by: Delhi Daredevils

Considering that price for an uncapped under-19 cricketer, one might be surprised to see Shaw's name on this list. However, with each player's contract running for a period of three years, DD have done well to obtain a talent that has the makings to be a Team India star for years to come. Let's not forget, fast-bowler Kamlesh Nagarkoti (another India Under-19 prospect) has been bought for a jaw-dropping Rs 3.2 crore by KKR.

Basil Thampi

Base Price: Rs 30 lakh

Sold for: Rs 95 lakh

Bought by: Sunrisers Hyderabad

He was one of the rising stars of IPL 2017 with consistent performances for the now defunct Gujarat Lions (GL). Thampi has a fluid action and a deadly yorker to go with it. After all the talk last year about him being an India prospect, it was a surprise to see the right-arm medium-pacer go for less that a crore. SRH surely won't be complaining.

Mitchell Santner

Base Price: Rs 50 lakh

Sold for: Rs 50 lakh

Bought by: Chennai Super Kings

The No.1 ranked T20 bowler in the world for his base prise of Rs 50 lakh? Thank you very much, CSK will say. Santner has the knack of providing key breakthroughs along with maintaining a miserly economy rate. Add to that, he possesses the ability to clear the ropes and make contributions with the bat. Santner has also done well on Indian wickets in the past and CSK will be delighted to have his services at that price.

 

Evin Lewis

Base Price: Rs 1.5 crore

Sold for: Rs 3.8 crore

Bought by: Mumbai Indians

With two international T20 hundreds (both against India) to his name, the West Indian is one of the most dangerous openers in the game. Who can forget how Lewis marauded the Indian attack en route his blistering ton last year. No wonder MI owner Akash Ambani was elated after getting the Trinidadian on board at that price.

Trent Boult

Base Price: Rs 1.5 crore

Sold for: Rs 2.2 crore

Bought by: Delhi Daredevils

The left-arm quick can prove to be a handful for any batsman. Boult has picked wickets with the new ball for New Zealand in all conditions. A world class fast-bowler at that price is another fine purchase by DD.

​Parthiv Patel

Base Price: Rs 1 crore

Sold for: Rs 1.7 crore

Bought by: Royal Challengers Bangalore

The man might have his share of haters, but there's little doubt that Parthiv has the ability to make an impact at the top of the order in T20s. His presence in the Indian Test team proves he still has a lot of cricket left in him. At that price, RCB have added a useful keeper-bat to their squad.