The ebbs and flows of the IPL auction’s unpredictable nature were on full display at Dubai’s Coke-Cola arena on Tuesday, December 19th. The event, known for its lavish expenditure on cricketing talent, did not fail to produce a series of financial spectacles as well as a few surprises with regard to the players who were overlooked.
The names listed among the unsold could draw a gasp from any cricket enthusiast, but particular attention was drawn to England’s spin wizard, Adil Rashid. Despite his T20 prowess, Rashid found no suitor among the ten franchises, a curious outcome given the player’s pedigree, and his successful tenure with Sunrisers Hyderabad the previous year. This occurrence highlighted a broader trend as franchises appeared to turn a blind eye to most overseas spinners, excluding spin all-rounders such as Wanindu Hasaranga and Mohammad Nabi.
The shock at Rashid’s exclusion was magnified the following day when the International Cricket Council (ICC) elevated him to the top of the T20 bowlers’ rankings. Rashid’s ascension was a testament to his skill and consistent performances, particularly in the ongoing T20 series against the West Indies, where his craft resulted in seven wickets across four matches at an impressive economy rate of less than seven runs per over.
In what might be considered a response on the pitch to the snub he faced off it, Rashid recorded his most expensive spell of the series in the fourth match, conceding 35 runs for a single wicket. However, this was overshadowed by the fact that the West Indies could not chase down England’s massive total of 267 runs, despite scoring at a rapid pace.
England’s batting display was formidable, with Phil Salt notching up his second consecutive T20 century, alongside robust contributions from Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone, which propelled the team to their highest-ever T20 total. The series stood evenly poised at 2-2, with everything to play for in the decider at Tarouba on December 21, according to IST.
Apart from Adil Rashid, notable players who went unsold included Steve Smith, Akeal Hosein, Karun Nair, Michael Bracewell, and Josh Hazlewood. Their exclusion added to the peculiar reality of an auction where reputations and records at times seemed to take a backseat to strategies and specific team needs.
The IPL auction is an annual event that garners much attention and speculation, dynamically shaping the fortunes and narratives in the cricketing world. While it can propel certain players to newfound fame and fortune, it can also leave acknowledged talent in an unexpected wilderness, albeit temporarily.
Adil Rashid’s immediate bounce back to become the number one T20 bowler in the world could not have been scripted with more cinematic finesse. It was a compelling reminder of the intricate balance between the game’s commercial elements and the undeniable skill and performance on the field. As teams gear up for the new season, decisions taken at the auction table will undergo scrutiny, often in the harsh light of hindsight.
But for now, Rashid stands tall, not by the price tag he could have fetched at the IPL auction, but by the undeniable prowess that has earned him the top spot in the rankings—a clear signal that cricket, in its purest form, is ultimately played and won on the pitch.
