The auction has signalled the start of cricket's silly season. Like always, powerful franchise owners and their employees sat at tables playing God. Wired to the team's real decision-makers, they wielded the power to make a star feel worthless or turn a virtual nobody into a star.
Along with some inspired strategic calls, the auction would see some debatable choices that would stump pundits and fans alike.
Beyond the dodgy impulsive buys, miscalculated risks and questionable inclusions dictated by team balance compulsions, there were some big decisions that defied even logic.
Now that the big purses are back in the pocket and the giant shopping bags unpacked, let's spread out the buys for the all-important second look.
It is their knack of spotting talent and potential that makes and Sharma the most-winning captains. Over the years, several cricketers have performed way beyond their potential when the two have hand-held them.
A few captaincy choices set eyes rolling. Let's take Kolkata Knight Riders first and their call to cut ties with Morgan. The English player has a case.
MS and Morgan had similar last year. The rival captains in the 2021 finals had a modest season with the bat. 114 runs in 16 games, Morgan had 133 from 17 games.
2022 has shaped differently for the two by CSK for Rs 12 while Morgan would go unsold at the auction.
KKR didn't see Morgan as a skipper Actually, they weren't even keen to have him in their squad.
Even other franchises that were head-hunting for captains were not impressed by the leadership credentials of one of world cricket's most successful skippers.
One average season with the bat was enough for to turn its back on the England captain with a formidable record. From being the man who transformed England's white-ball cricket, led them to the World Cup title and even played a key role in KKR's turnaround last year, Morgan is now a
By naming the young Shreyas Iyer as Morgan's replacement, KKR was making the common mistake - they were undermining the role of an astute leader in T20 cricket.
Take a look at the list of winning captains. Rohit Sharma, MS Gautam Shane Adam Gilchrist and David are hardened pros with adequate experience to lead top international sides in high-profile games. Now turn to the roster of the players named to lead teams this season. Standing out like a sore thumb are three names - KL Rahul, and These are players with extraordinary cricketing skills they haven't yet shown tactical nuance, talent to think on their feet or inspire players to perform at their optimum.
It is their knack of spotting talent and potential that makes and Sharma the most-winning captains. Over the years, several cricketers have performed way beyond their potential when the two have hand-held them. Both and Sharma think for their bowlers, set fields for them, snub them on field, praise them to the sky away from it. In short, they make them better. There have been cases of match-winners turning also-rans when they move away from the shadow of men like Sharma and even
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