IPL 2016 Auction: Performers, not stars, are season's flavour

The 2016 IPL auctions in Bengaluru on Saturday might have been the most drab in comparison to its previous editions, but it could be a defining one in the years to come.

Yuvraj Singh, who was expected to send cash registers ringing again after taking home Rs 16 crore and Rs 15 crore in the 2015 and 2014 auctions, respectively, was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a mere Rs 7 crore this time around. For a player who can provide a franchise multiple aspects – on-field skills, brand value as well as fan connect – it was a steep fall. What's more, lesser-known players like Pawan Negi (Rs 8.5 crore) and Chris Morris (Rs 7 crore) create more buzz than the Indian southpaw.

The message from the franchises was clear: we want performers, not superstars. How else could one explain an almost unknown West Indian all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite going for Rs 4.2 crore, while England batsman Kevin Pietersen, a freelance T20 specialist, getting only Rs 3.5 crore?

"Nowadays, teams don't go for names, they go for slots," TA Sekar, former India pacer and mentor of Delhi Daredevils, told dna after the auctions. "Multi-utility cricketers will be in demand now, because then there can be seven-eight players who can bat as well as bowl. Teams will look for that depth."

Mutli-utility is the key word, and it explains quality Australian all-rounder Shane Watson's highest price tag, and players like Martin Guptill, Usman Khawaja and George Bailey – all only batsman – remaining unsold.

Sekar expects the trend to continue. "T20 is a young man's game. That's why teams will go for quality young players than stars. In two years' time when the next auction will be held, those youngsters will become the core of the team after playing for their respectively countries and franchises," he said.