One result of the Indian Premier League’s unashamedly capitalist stance on world cricket is the opportunity to trade players in an auction much like you can buy second-hand goods. Predictably, Indian national team players went for a premium in the auctions on 20th February and 11th March. On that subject, is there a young, pinch hitting, all-rounder in India also known as Anil Kumble? To my mind, the Indian captain is not worth $500,000 to any team in any 20 over cricket tournament, however, overrated players are for another day.
Below are my underrated 3, keeping with players seen previously at international level as I have yet to see any domestic Indian cricket, though I am looking forward to seeing Napoleon Einstein, just to see the name on a shirt. Hopefully than they can do that better than the West Indies did for Jerome Taylor.
Misbah-ul-Haq $125,000: So how to fill Inzamam’s sizeable boots? When stuffing the toes with paper didn’t really work, Pakistan drafted in Misbah after 3 years out to pasture and he really repaid the faith. In the world Twenty20 Championship in South Africa last year, he almost single-handedly got Pakistan to the final. A cool head under pressure and being able to play unorthodox shots (flick over the shoulder anyone?) should make him a shoe-in for any IPL team. That’s qualitative, so how about the numbers? An average of 50 at a strike rate of 130 in 20 over competitions is top notch, so why’s he only worth $125,000?
Dimitri Mascarenhas $100,000: The only England player in the IPL this season is worth a punt, you only have to ask Yuvraj Singh about his batting credentials, having spanked him for 5 maximums in a single over. It is only recently that he has really inflated the batting dimension to his all-round game, of medium pace bowling and smart fielding. Shane Warne, who he played with at Hampshire and who bought Mascarenhas for his Rajasthan Royals team, is a fan and knows he’s picked up a great bargain. Good all round players will be worth their weight in gold in the IPL so, a batting average of 24 at a rate of 125, tied to a bowling strike rate of 19 makes Macarenhas one of those.
Matthew Hayden $375,000: Compared to the other players I’ve looked at here Matty Hayden is expensive, but he is undoubtedly worth every cent and more. Have they not shown Australia games in India over the past decade? This guy is one of the hardest hitters, nay sloggers in world cricket and has the stats to prove it. In the shortest form of the game, an average of 51 gained at a rate of 144 is phenomenal. Although his stats prove his worth I’ve never liked to watch him as a player with his brutal style being less than pretty on the eye, but even I would have realised that results will be everything in IPL and would have expected a fight to get him. $375,000? He’s worth at least double that and his team Chennai Super Kings must be pinching themselves to have got him at a knock down price.
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