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How IPL teams stack up after record-breaking auction
The 10 Indian Premier League teams splurged millions on players during a two-day auction to reset their squads for the 18th edition of the Twenty20 tournament.
IPL / X/@IPL
The 10 Indian Premier League teams splurged millions on players during a two-day auction to reset their squads for the 18th edition of the Twenty20 tournament.
AFP Sport looks at the teams of the world's richest cricket competition, which is expected to be played between March and May next year.
- Mumbai Indians -
Five-time winners Mumbai, led by India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, snapped up New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult.
The left-armer returned to the team for US$1.48 million, joining fellow pace bowlers Jasprit Bumrah (retained), Deepak Chahar, Reece Topley, and Lizaad Williams.
The team, owned by Nita Ambani -- wife of Reliance Industries billionaire Mukesh Ambani -- includes India Test and ODI skipper Rohit Sharma.
- Chennai Super Kings -
The five-time champions got back veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who last played for the franchise in 2015.
Ashwin, costing US$1.15 million, reunites with spin twin Ravindra Jadeja, who was retained alongside team icon M.S. Dhoni.
"There's an emotional attachment of Ashwin with Chennai, so it is a nice fit," coach Stephen Fleming said.
Attacking batsman Devon Conway also returns, alongside fellow New Zealander Rachin Ravindra and England all-rounder Sam Curran.
- Delhi Capitals -
Delhi, who parted ways with captain Rishabh Pant, left happy with the signing of KL Rahul.
Pundits including Tom Moody said Rahul's US$1.65 million price tag was a "good buy" for an outfit searching for their first IPL title.
Delhi co-owner Parth Jindal hinted that either Rahul or veteran all-rounder Axar Patel, who was retained, could be the new captain.
Other notable picks were Harry Brook, Mitchell Starc, Faf du Plessis, and Jake Fraser-McGurk.
- Lucknow Super Giants -
Lucknow broke the bank for wicketkeeper Pant for an IPL-record US$3.2 million.
The 27-year-old left-hander made a stunning return to competitive cricket in the IPL this year following a serious car crash.
Lucknow coach Justin Langer called Pant a "huge pick-up".
Also added to the batting brigade was the South African duo of Aiden Markram and David "Killer" Miller.
Lucknow boosted their pace attack with Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, India's Avesh Khan, and Shamar Joseph of the West Indies.
- Gujarat Titans -
Gujarat snapped up England batsman Jos Buttler for US$1.87 million, before securing top names including Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada.
"We needed a wicketkeeper and a player with experience, someone who can bat anywhere from number one to four, and Jos fits that role," assistant coach Parthiv Patel said.
With Shubman Gill as captain and Afghanistan's Rashid Khan as the lead spinner, Gujarat has managed to strike a balance between bat and ball.
New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips (spinner), Afghanistan pace bowler Karim Janat, and South African speedster Gerald Coetzee also add to their strength.
- Punjab Kings -
Punjab ensnared Shreyas Iyer for US$3.17 million, which was briefly a record before being trumped by Pant.
Punjab, with new head coach Ricky Ponting, entered the auction with the biggest purse and won left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh ($2.13 million) and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal ($2.13 million), as well as Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.
- Rajasthan Royals -
The inaugural champions snapped up England pace bowler Jofra Archer for US$1.48 million.
Under new coach Rahul Dravid, the team led by Indian batsman Sanju Samson also bought Sri Lankan spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana.
They also made headlines with the youngest-ever player -- 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi -- for US$130,500.
Built up by the late Shane Warne, who led them to a title triumph in 2008, Rajasthan are looking for their second title.
- Kolkata Knight Riders -
The defending champions surprised all with their winning bid for all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer at US$2.81 million, the third-highest after Pant and Shreyas.
Venkatesh, a left-handed batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler, was not retained by the team -- but had a happy homecoming when they successfully bidding for him.
They replaced the slots of Phil Salt and Starc with Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, and Spencer Johnson, but left fans and pundits wondering about a captain.
Venkatesh said he was "more than happy" to lead the side.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad -
Hyderabad had retained the Australian duo of Pat Cummins and Travis Head after their runners-up finish and got another Australian in spinner Adam Zampa in the auction.
Fast bowler Mohammed Shami was picked up at US$1.18 million along with other quicks including Brydon Carse (England), Eshan Malinga (Sri Lanka), Harshal Patel (India), and Jaydev Unadkat (India).
Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan also joined, for US$1.33 million.
- Royal Challengers Bangalore -
Still hunting for their first IPL title, Bangalore got England's Salt for US$1.36 million to partner star batsman Virat Kohli.
Batting coach Dinesh Karthik called Salt "explosive" and with a "great attitude".
England's Liam Livingstone has also been added to boost the batting.
For bowlers, they bought Australia quick Josh Hazlewood for US$1.48 million and Indian seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for US$1.27 million.
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