IPL Auction Highlights: Wicketkeepers Sold and Unsold
Wicketkeepers at the IPL Auction
The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction showcased a lineup of notable wicketkeepers, including Quinton de Kock, Jonny Bairstow, Jamie Smith, Finn Allen, and Ben Duckett. Despite the star-studded list, only three players were purchased, all at their base prices.
Quinton de Kock Returns to Mumbai Indians
Quinton de Kock, the South African wicketkeeper-batter, made a return to the Mumbai Indians (MI), being acquired for his base price of ₹1 crore. Recently, he came out of retirement from white-ball cricket and rejoined the South African national team.
During his time with the Mumbai Indians, de Kock has participated in 43 matches, accumulating 1,329 runs with an average of 34.08 and a strike rate of 131.32, including 10 half-centuries.
De Kock's Career Statistics
In T20 internationals, de Kock has scored 2,706 runs across 99 matches, averaging 30.40 with a strike rate exceeding 139, featuring one century and 17 half-centuries, making him South Africa's leading run-scorer in T20s.
Overall in T20 cricket, he has amassed 11,543 runs in 416 games, averaging 30.94 with a strike rate above 138, including seven centuries and 76 fifties. In the IPL, he has scored 3,309 runs in 115 matches for various teams, maintaining an average of 30.63 and a strike rate over 134, with two centuries and 24 fifties. Last season with KKR was challenging for him, as he managed only 152 runs in eight matches, averaging 21.71 with a strike rate close to 130, and a top score of 97 not out. De Kock is also a champion with the Mumbai Indians.
Ben Duckett Joins Delhi Capitals
The Delhi Capitals acquired England's Ben Duckett for his base price of ₹2 crore.
Duckett has scored 527 runs in 20 T20 internationals for England, averaging 29.27 with a strike rate above 153, including three half-centuries. He is recognized as one of England's top-order batters across all formats, with a total of 5,397 runs in 216 T20 matches, averaging 30.49 and a strike rate of 140.18, along with 34 fifties.
Finn Allen Signs with Kolkata Knight Riders
Finn Allen, the aggressive New Zealand opener, was also sold at his base price of ₹2 crore to the Kolkata Knight Riders.
He has scored 1,285 runs in 52 T20 internationals at a striking rate of 163.27, including two centuries and five half-centuries. In total T20 matches, Allen has amassed 4,431 runs in 162 games, boasting an impressive strike rate of 173.90, with four hundreds and 29 fifties.
Notable Wicketkeepers Remain Unsold
In an unexpected twist, England's Jonny Bairstow and Jamie Smith went unsold during the initial bidding round. Additionally, Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz and India's KS Bharat also did not receive any bids, although they may have another chance in the accelerated round.