Sport

IPL auction in 1980s and 1990s: These 10 Indian cricketers could have invited bidding wars

Some were rich in talent, some mavericks and some others could bring in the crowds as pure entertainers. These were the Indian cricketers of the '80s and '90s, who were unlucky to miss the gravy train called the IPL.
Some were rich in talent, some mavericks and some others could bring in the crowds as pure entertainers. These were the Indian cricketers of the '80s and '90s, who were unlucky to miss the gravy train called the IPL. (Photo | EPS)
Some were rich in talent, some mavericks and some others could bring in the crowds as pure entertainers. These were the Indian cricketers of the '80s and '90s, who were unlucky to miss the gravy train called the IPL. (Photo | EPS)
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Kapil Dev: Perhaps India's greatest all-rounder across all generations. India's best swing bowler and a batsman who hit sixes as nonchalantly as he chewed gums. He would have opened the bowling, bowled an over in the middle and one at the death. And of course, he would have scored sixes in style. All teams would have reached for their cheque books for the 'Haryana Hurricane'. (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Kapil Dev: Perhaps India's greatest all-rounder across all generations. India's best swing bowler and a batsman who hit sixes as nonchalantly as he chewed gums. He would have opened the bowling, bowled an over in the middle and one at the death. And of course, he would have scored sixes in style. All teams would have reached for their cheque books for the 'Haryana Hurricane'. (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Krishnamachari Srikkanth: He was a batsman way ahead of his time. A show-stopper, a man who brought in the crowds. He could pull Andy Roberts for a six, hook Patrick Patterson without a helmet and scored at a run-a-ball in the '80s. He could have adjusted accordingly and maybe CSK would have outbid every other franchise. (Why CSK? Because he is a Tamil?) (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Krishnamachari Srikkanth: He was a batsman way ahead of his time. A show-stopper, a man who brought in the crowds. He could pull Andy Roberts for a six, hook Patrick Patterson without a helmet and scored at a run-a-ball in the '80s. He could have adjusted accordingly and maybe CSK would have outbid every other franchise. (Why CSK? Because he is a Tamil?) (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Vinod Kambli: A made-for-IPL cricketer, not only for his batting talent but also for his sartorial flamboyance that would have fitted well with the current streak of garishness. Diamond studs, gold-plated belts and a flaming personality with a game to match the brashness, he was Hardik Pandya multiplied by 10 in the '90s. A murderer of spinners, Kuldeep Yadav or Yuzvendra Chahal would have had sleepless nights. Sachin Tendulkar and Kambli for MI. Not bad at all. (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Vinod Kambli: A made-for-IPL cricketer, not only for his batting talent but also for his sartorial flamboyance that would have fitted well with the current streak of garishness. Diamond studs, gold-plated belts and a flaming personality with a game to match the brashness, he was Hardik Pandya multiplied by 10 in the '90s. A murderer of spinners, Kuldeep Yadav or Yuzvendra Chahal would have had sleepless nights. Sachin Tendulkar and Kambli for MI. Not bad at all. (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Mohammed Azharuddin: Between overs 10 and 20, he could have been a nightmare for the bowlers. He knew how to find gaps with ease and his footwork against spinners was to be seen to be believed. At point or extra cover, he would have saved 15 runs in every game. Not just that. When fitness was considered perfunctory, Azhar stood apart with his blazing running between the wickets. A captaincy candidate and Eden Gardens' favourite. KKR could have been his team. (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Mohammed Azharuddin: Between overs 10 and 20, he could have been a nightmare for the bowlers. He knew how to find gaps with ease and his footwork against spinners was to be seen to be believed. At point or extra cover, he would have saved 15 runs in every game. Not just that. When fitness was considered perfunctory, Azhar stood apart with his blazing running between the wickets. A captaincy candidate and Eden Gardens' favourite. KKR could have been his team. (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Ajay Jadeja: One of the most intelligent cricketers to have ever played for India. He could pace the innings and also be the man who could finish games just like Mahendra Singh Dhoni did during his best years. Like Azhar, his agility on the field was exceptional. A brilliant fielder, who could, maybe, also chip in with a couple of overs. Good choice for Delhi -- whether Daredevils or Capitals. (Photo | AFP and PTI)
Ajay Jadeja: One of the most intelligent cricketers to have ever played for India. He could pace the innings and also be the man who could finish games just like Mahendra Singh Dhoni did during his best years. Like Azhar, his agility on the field was exceptional. A brilliant fielder, who could, maybe, also chip in with a couple of overs. Good choice for Delhi -- whether Daredevils or Capitals. (Photo | AFP and PTI)
Manoj Prabhakar: Swinging the new ball and those slower deliveries in death overs, his utility would have been exactly what IPL franchises look for. Not exactly a big-hitter but he could anchor the innings from one end if there was a good batsman at the other end. A good choice for Rajasthan Royals, a team where he could have expressed himself more. (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Manoj Prabhakar: Swinging the new ball and those slower deliveries in death overs, his utility would have been exactly what IPL franchises look for. Not exactly a big-hitter but he could anchor the innings from one end if there was a good batsman at the other end. A good choice for Rajasthan Royals, a team where he could have expressed himself more. (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Robin Singh: Another all-rounder, who could have invited intense bidding wars. A big hitter, tight medium-pace bowler and a solid fielder within the 30-yard circle, Robin could have been any captain's 'go-to' player. Sunrisers Hyderabad, which judiciously builds its team every year, could have been his home. (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Robin Singh: Another all-rounder, who could have invited intense bidding wars. A big hitter, tight medium-pace bowler and a solid fielder within the 30-yard circle, Robin could have been any captain's 'go-to' player. Sunrisers Hyderabad, which judiciously builds its team every year, could have been his home. (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Ravi Shastri: Tight left-arm spin bowling, ability to bat at any position, including as opener, he could hit spinners for sixes. Shastri was the best captain that the Indian team never had - save in a Test and a handful of ODIs. In a parallel universe, he could have been the captain of Chennai Super Kings with his cricketing acumen. (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Ravi Shastri: Tight left-arm spin bowling, ability to bat at any position, including as opener, he could hit spinners for sixes. Shastri was the best captain that the Indian team never had - save in a Test and a handful of ODIs. In a parallel universe, he could have been the captain of Chennai Super Kings with his cricketing acumen. (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Maninder Singh: In his best years, Maninder had everything, Flight, loop, deception and an attacking mindset. Left-arm orthodox bowlers are a necessity in T20 cricket and his talent would certainly have been rewarded. He could have been a hit for Kings XI Punjab. (Photo | EPS)
Maninder Singh: In his best years, Maninder had everything, Flight, loop, deception and an attacking mindset. Left-arm orthodox bowlers are a necessity in T20 cricket and his talent would certainly have been rewarded. He could have been a hit for Kings XI Punjab. (Photo | EPS)
Javagal Srinath: India's fastest bowler in his time, he was every captain's dream with his pace, bounce and consistent inward movement. He would have given early breakthroughs on more occasions than one. He could have been a real deal for the RCB at the Chinnaswamy. The Indian pacer that Virat Kohli missed all these years. (Photo | EPS and PTI)
Javagal Srinath: India's fastest bowler in his time, he was every captain's dream with his pace, bounce and consistent inward movement. He would have given early breakthroughs on more occasions than one. He could have been a real deal for the RCB at the Chinnaswamy. The Indian pacer that Virat Kohli missed all these years. (Photo | EPS and PTI)
IPL
Ravi Shastri
Kapil Dev
Krishnamachari Srikkanth
Maninder Singh
Mohammed Azharuddin
Indian Premier League
IPL auction
Manoj Prabhakar
Javagal Srinath
Robin Singh
Indian Premier League Auction
Ajay Jadeja
Vinod Kambli

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