Even before the IPL Auction, what captures the attention of the fans is the mock auctions, that a few franchises have started doing these days. KKR, on Wednesday conducted ‘KKR Mock Auctions’ with a few ardent fans and the results were surprising, but were perhaps a true reflection of the pulse of the people who follow the IPL.
KKR Mock Auction Before IPL Auction
The first player to go under the hammer was India all-rounder R Ashwin, who has been around for a long-long time. But surprisingly, there were no buyers for him in the KKR Mock Auction, where five different teams had a purse of INR 51 Cr each. Ashwin had a base price of 2 Cr.
It must be reminded to all, that Ashwin wasn’t retained by RR ahead of IPL Retentions, and will be a part of IPL Auction, scheduled to take place in Jeddah on November 24, 25. This year, he had ordinary numbers, where he picked up only 9 wickets in 15 matches for RR at an economy of 8.49.
Ishan Kishan Sold, R Ashwin Unsold
On the other hand, Ishan Kishan had a field day, as far as KKR Mock Auction is concerned. He was bagged for 8.2 Cr by Thunder Knights, one of the teams in the fray. A price like that shows that he could be much in demand at the IPL Auction as well, after being released by MI. He has gained some form in red-ball cricket lately, that could be instrumental in his white-ball form too.
This year, for MI in 14 matches, Ishan Kishan was less impressive, scoring 320 runs at an average of 22. He had only one fifty to his name. But that doesn’t take away, that he can be devastating in the format, and such is his prowess, that he might well be on MIs radar in the Auction again.