Hyderabad players snubbed at IPL auction

Hyderabad: Players from Hyderabad were handed raw deals at the irrational IPL auction on Thursday which saw average players making their way into sides at the expense of proven ones in the uncapped category.

For most part of the auction, it seemed the Sunrisers Hyderabad team will have none from Hyderabad — T. Suman, G. H. Vihari, Ashish Reddy and Akshat Reddy (all priced below Rs 30 lakh) went unsold initially. However, a late awakening by the bidders ensured two — all-rounder Ashish Reddy and left-arm pacer C. V. Milind — made it to the squad.

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The Sunrisers had three more slots vacant and Rs 1 crore of the auction purse left at the end of the auction. Thursday’s turn of events was disturbing. Of the 39 uncapped players from Hyderabad in auction pool, only Vihari and Ashish Reddy came up on the main list.

Vihari and Ashish were shortlisted in an accelerated auction after the franchisees submitted their wishlists, but the players found no takers. They were re-introduced in a second list where the former was again given the cold shoulder while Ashish got picked for his base price of Rs 20 lakh. Milind made the cut via the final list of the day, at his base price of Rs 10 lakh.

Milind’s India U-19 teammate Ricky Bhui too made the Sunrisers squad as did former India player Y. Venugopala Rao (they represent the Andhra Cricket Association).

The City is not smiling though. “Two is too little,” snarled Hyderabad Cricket Association secretary S. Venkateshwaran on Thursday evening. “The earlier franchise had about eight Hyderabad players in the squad,” he pointed out.

“Some good players have been overlooked (by the Sunrisers). Their confidence could be dented,” Venkateshwaran said, terming Hyderabad captain Akshat Reddy, Vihari, Rahul Singh and B. Anirudh among those with a lot of promise.

Vihari is the leading run-getter for Hyderabad this Ranji season having amassed 841 runs including two tons and a double century at an astonishing average of 93.44. D. B. Ravi Teja, with 694 runs at 63.09 per visit, also found no takers.

“Akshat also did well in the Ranji season. There have been some good individual peformances which I felt should’ve been recognised,” Venkateshwaran said.

A few bright prospects in the junior ranks too were ignored. “Anirudh has been among the India U-19 World Cup probables and is a fine talent. Rahul too is a good player,” Venkateshwaran added.
Vihari’s coach John Manoj batted for his ward. “It’s strange that the most prolific scorer for Hyderabad this season has been left out,” he said.

John has also coached former Indian batsman V.V.S. Laxman, who is also a mentor for the IPL’s Hyderabad franchise. Laxman was seated at the Sunrisers’ table at Thursday’s auction.

For the record, Vihari (touted as the next Laxman in Hyderabad circles) was officially instrumental in winning two matches for the Sunrisers last year, evident from his Man of the Match awards.
For now, the youngster does not know what to say. Knowing him, he should soon let his bat do the talking.