IPL 8 Auctions: 5 value for money buys

There was a real danger that the IPL auctions would slip by unnoticed, hidden from view by the World Cup. But thanks to Indian sentiment, the presence of Yuvraj Singh, and a room with a high pocket money average, there was enough for everyone to obsess about.For the second year in a row, Yuvraj Singh (Rs. 16 cr.) and Dinesh Karthik (Rs. 10.5 cr.) have retained their spots as the highest paid players. But like every auction, it’s the business done besides the big bucks that was extremely impressive. This list of deals provides - at first glance - great value for money and feature players who offer far beyond what they will be paid:

#1 Murali Vijay to KXIP (Rs. 3 crore)

Its arguable that Rs. 3 crore isnt a small amount of money. What isnt arguable, however, is Murali Vijays wondrous form. If there ever was a transformation for India over the last few years, Vijay has embodied it. From a scrappy, impatient player to someone who can be counted upon to provide a good start all the time, it has been quite the story.

This deal is up there with the best of yesterday. Punjab only had one visible issue last year till Manan Vohra came along, and that was Sehwags opening partner. In Vijay, they have filled the spot that most needed filling and its no flimsy layer of putty. Count on the 30-year-old right-hander to be up among thetop 10 run-getters this season.