IPL 2019: 5 costliest buys of the season - How have they fared

IPL 2019 has seen some memorable performances ever since it kicks tarted about a month ago on March 23. Andre Russell’s superlative form with the bat where he is scoring at a strike rate of 220 plus, managing to successfully chase down 53 runs off 18 balls twice; Sam Curran’s brilliant hat-trick that triggered the worst collapse in IPL history or Virat Kohli’s fifth IPL ton; the tournament has seen it all. But half-way through the 12th season, one is yet to see consistent performances from its highest-paid cricketers. In fact, like every other season, the highest-paid cricketers, have failed to make noteworthy contributions for their franchises.

After 29 days and 37 matches, here is a look at the performance of the top 5 most expensive picks of IPL 2019.

Jaydev Unadkat

After managing to attract a bid of 11.5 crores – the highest to an Indian in IPL 2018 – Jaydev Unadkat once again sent the auction room into frenzy when he was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for 8.4 crores. But the Rajasthan-based franchise’s strategy to release Unadkat and then again spend over 8 crores seems to have backfired. Leaking runs at an economy rate of 11.08, Unadkat is among the most expensive bowlers of IPL 2019. His slower ones, length variations have come a cropper as batsmen from pretty much all the franchises have taken a liking to him. The left-arm seamer has only managed to pick up 6 wickets in his 7 appearances this season and was even dropped twice.

Varun Chakravarthy

Hardly anyone knew about Varun Chakravarthy outside Tamil Nadu. That, however, changed from December 2018 after he went for a whopping a 8.4 crores to Kings XI Punjab that saw his bidding price rise 42 times from his base price of 20 lakh. But the mystery spinner has so far managed to play only one game in the IPL and that too turned out to be a forgettable one. Chakravarthy was hit for 25 runs off his first over by Sunil Narine – the most expensive first over in IPL history. He was dropped after that match and never returned to the playing XI. To make matters worse, he was sidelined because of a fractured finger which put him in doubt for the rest of the season.

Sam Curran

England all-rounder Sam Curran is perhaps the only one who has been a value for his money. The costliest overseas pick of IPL 2019 – he was bought by KXIP for 7.2 crores – has so far played 6 matches in the season, managing to pick up 7 wickets. After having a forgettable IPL debut, Curran made a strong comeback against Delhi Capitals. He returned with figures of 4 for 11, including the only hat-trick of IPL 2019 to help KXIP snatch an incredible win against Delhi. With other major players leaving for World Cup preparations, Sam would be the flag bearer of England in the latter part of the IPL.

Colin Ingram

Delhi Capitals spent 6.40 crores to get South African middle-order batsman Colin Ingram on board. But the 33-year-old has so far failed to live up to his big reputation. The left-hander, has scored 157 runs in 8 matches this season at a strike rate of 137.41. Ingram, who doesn’t play international cricket because of singing a Kolpaak deal, is available for the entire season and Delhi would be hoping the big left-hander can get his act together.

Carlos Brathwaite

West Indies T20 captain Carlos Brathwaite was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders for 5 crores as a back-up option for Andre Russell. That KKR spent such an exorbitant amount for someone who was not guaranteed a place in the XI regularly at first place, especially in the presence other Caribbean stars Russell and Narine, is bound to give rise to question marks on their strategies. Brathwaite has so far been given only match in this IPL, where he scored six runs and bowled only 1 over. But if the big West Indian does not manage find a place in their World Cup squad, then he could grab Russell’s spot, who is certain in West Indies’ World Cup team.