Sometimes the choices that IPL franchises make during an auction are inexplicable. IPL 2024 Auction, which concluded on Tuesday saw many such examples, where the cricket fraternity was taken aback. India’s Harshal Patel bagged a contract of INR 11.75 Cr with Punkab Kings, while uncapped Sameer Rizvi was sold for a massive INR 8.4 Cr by Chennai Super Kings.
But finding logic in these bidding wars is a futile activity. The players need to move on rapidly and focus on the task at hand. This is what England batter Philip Salt also did after the IPL 2024 auction snub. The fiery Salt, who has a career strike rate of over 165 in the T20Is, did not find any bidder for the upcoming IPL 2024.
Despite missing out on a big paycheque, Salt went on his business as usual and slammed yet another ton against the West Indies, his second in as many matches. The hard-hitting batsman scored 119 from just 57 balls to take England to a massive 267/3 against the hosts in the fourth T20I. This after scoring an unbeaten 109 against the same opposition, three days back at St. George’s.
Perhaps Delhi Capitals?
Salt had entered the IPL 2024 Auction with a base price of INR 1.5 Cr, and would have been a decent backup option for Delhi Capitals. With the surety surrounding Rishabh Pant and his fitness for the tournament in March, Salt would have fit the team best with his decent T20I numbers. Instead, the franchise went with Tristan Stubbs and Shai Hope.
