IPL 2021: Ranking the first-half performances of the season's 5 most expensive buys
The 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) resumes in the UAE next month, and franchises like the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Mumbai Indians (MI) have already started preparing for the second phase of the tournament.
The second half of IPL 2021 will see several new faces, as replacements for players who have been ruled out due to personal commitments or injuries. However, most franchises are expected to be able to avail the services of their key big-ticket players.
In this article, we rank (from worst to best) the five most expensive buys in the IPL 2021 auction based on their performances in the first half of the tournament.
#5 Krishnappa Gowtham (Acquired by CSK for Rs 9.25 cr)
Krishnappa Gowtham, the least involved of the top five expensive purchases, has been consigned to the CSK bench this season.
The splendid performance of fellow off-spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali has meant that CSK's Rs 9.25 crore acquisition hasn't been given a chance to showcase his wares.
Gowtham is unlikely to get a look-in for the second phase as well, with Ali and the other overseas players expected to participate.
#4 Jhye Richardson (Acquired by PBKS for Rs 14 cr)
Jhye Richardson was bought for Rs 14 crore in the IPL 2021 auction, leading many to believe that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) would consider him their premier pace-bowling all-rounder. But the Aussie played only three games, over the course of which he experienced minimal success, before he was dropped in favor of domestic talent.
Richardson picked up three wickets in three games at an economy rate of 10.63 and scored 15 runs at an average of 7.5. His returns were majorly underwhelming, especially after his spectacular displays in the Big Bash League. Richardson will not take part in the second phase of IPL 2021 schedule due to an injury.
#3 Kyle Jamieson (Acquired by RCB for Rs 15 cr)
Kyle Jamieson entered IPL 2021 after losing his place in the New Zealand T20I squad, and expectations were low as a result. But the towering quick gave a good account of his white-ball ability, taking nine wickets and bowling at key stages for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Jamieson struck a few lusty blows with the bat as well, and while he wasn't at his absolute best, he was decent overall. RCB will look to their expensive Kiwi recruit to spearhead them to a top-two spot in the second phase of IPL 2021.
#2 Chris Morris (Acquired by RR for Rs 16.25 cr)
The most expensive player in the history of the IPL auction, Chris Morris was a consistent presence for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the first half of this year's edition.
Morris picked up 14 wickets in seven games at an economy of 8.61 and contributed 48 runs at a strike rate of 154.83. In the absence of Jofra Archer, the Proteas speedster took on more responsibility, including death-bowling duty. He is placed second on this list because RR couldn't break into the top four when the tournament was called off.
Morris has performed well on an individual level, though, and will be one of the players to keep an eye on in the UAE leg of the competition.
Also see: Purple cap holder in IPL 2021
#1 Glenn Maxwell (Acquired by RCB for Rs 14.25 cr)
Glenn Maxwell's form tapered off after a bright start to life as an RCB player, but he had a massive impact on the franchise after joining them for IPL 2021.
Maxwell scored 223 runs in seven games at an average of 37.16 and a strike rate of 144.8 to finish the first half as the team's leading run-scorer in IPL 2021. The Aussie was at home even on difficult tracks in Chennai and helped take the pressure off the other credentialed batsmen in the RCB lineup, such as Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
Maxwell wasn't regularly used as a bowler, but he remains one of RCB's biggest value additions in IPL 2021.