Wed Apr 30 15:40:00 UTC 2025: ## IPL 2023: Big-Money Buys Fail to Deliver
Several high-profile players acquired at hefty prices in the IPL 2023 mega auction have significantly underperformed, raising questions about the efficacy of team strategies.
Tushar Deshpande, bought by Rajasthan Royals for ₹6 crore, has managed only 6 wickets in 8 matches with an economy rate of 11. Similarly, Lucknow Super Giants’ ₹8 crore acquisition, Akash Deep, has an economy rate exceeding 12 in 4 matches and has taken just 3 wickets, leading to his exclusion from the playing XI.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Venkatesh Iyer, purchased for a whopping ₹23.75 crore, has scored a meagre 135 runs in 9 matches at an average of 22, with a significant portion (60 runs) coming from a single innings. His performance has been far from expectations.
Punjab Kings’ Glenn Maxwell, who underperformed last season for RCB, has continued his poor form, scoring only 48 runs in 7 matches at a strike rate of 98 and an average of 8. His release before next season is highly anticipated.
Another disappointing performance comes from a young Delhi Capitals batsman, bought for ₹9 crore, who despite a stellar previous season, has been dropped from the playing XI after scoring just 55 runs in 6 matches at an average of 9 and a strike rate of 106.
These underwhelming performances highlight the inherent risks in the IPL auction system and underscore the unpredictability of player form. The significant financial investments in these players have yet to yield the expected returns on the field.
First Piper 