Base Price Players Who Went On To Become Match Winners

IPL 2021 reminds us of a few players who were bought by franchises at their base price and still grabbed the limelight. As the time for IPL 2021 is nearing, let us have a look at 5 players who were bought at their base price and went on to become match winners for their teams:

1. Aaron Finch- Gujarat Lions: IPL 2016
   

   Aaron Finch was grabbed by Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016 at his base price of Rs. 1 crore. The purchase came out as completely worthy as the Australian batsmen rocked the IPL season with his hard-hitting batting. With 5 fifties in 13 games, Aaron Finch proved to be a match-winner for Gujarat Lions scoring 393 runs.
   With Aaron Finch’s attack with the bat, Gujarat Lions was able to top the table before the playoffs. Although Gujarat Lions lost a golden opportunity after losing Qualifier 1 and Eliminator games against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively, the team witnessed a memorable journey.

2. Hashim Amla- Kings XI Punjab: IPL 2016
   

   Hashim Amla went unsold at IPL 2016 auctions but was later signed by Kings XI Punjab at his base price of Rs. 1 crore. KXIP bought the South African opener as a replacement for Shaun Marsh, who suffered an injury during an IPL game. Amla earned the limelight after hitting an astonishing knock of 96 runs off 56 balls in a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. His innings was amazing and cricket fans applauded him for performance as an opener. KXIP lost the match by 7 wickets, however, it was Amla’s innings which was the talking point of the game.

3. Shreyas Gopal- Rajasthan Royals: IPL 2018
   

   Rajasthan Royals bought Shreyas Gopal at Rs. 2 lakh base price and it came out to be a successful deal after the all-rounder took 11 wickets in 11 matches. The highlight of Shreyas Gopal’s performance was the game against Royal Challenges Bangalore at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
   RCB was chasing 165-run target set by home team RR in the first innings. Shreyas Gopal crushed the whole top order after grabbing 4 wickets for 16 runs. The leg-break bowler Gopal dismissed Parthiv Patel, AB de Villiers, Moeen Ali and Mandeep Singh. He sent all the main batsmen to the dug-out, eventually leading his team to a victory by 30 runs.

4. Lasith Malinga- Mumbai Indians: IPL 2019

   Lasith Malinga did not feature in IPL 2018 and when he appeared in IPL 2019 auctions, Mumbai Indians gave no second thoughts to not buy him. Mumbai Indian bought the Sri Lankan pacer for the base price of Rs. 2 crore. This came out to be a superb deal as Malinga was the highest wicket-taker for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019 with 16 wickets.
   His most notable performance came in Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings IPL 2019 final when he dismissed Shardul Thakur on the final delivery of the match. CSK needed 2 runs off the last ball, however, a quick yorker from Malinga hit Shardul Thakur on the pads dismissing him. Malinga changed the scenario of the game with the delivery and Mumbai Indians became the champions of IPL 2019.

5. Imran Tahir – Chennai Super Kings: IPL 2019

   Imran Tahir was signed by Chennai Super Kings for the base price of Rs. 1 crore in IPL 2019. Leg spinner Tahir took 26 wickets in 17 matches, grabbing the purple cap in the tournament. Tahir outshined everyone with his 4-wicket haul against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, which enabled CSK to maintain an easy victory against KKR on their home soil. Tahir was the key bowler who helped CSK to reach the finals against Mumbai Indians.