 "Into the big league")
PAWAN NEGI
Delhi Daredevils, Rs 8.5 crore
Every year at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, an overeager franchise ends up splurging an inordinate amount on a player that leaves cricket fans perplexed. Talent, in such situations, generally trumps rationality. At this year's auction, that honour - or misfortune - went to Pawan Negi. The 23-year-old was bought by Delhi Daredevils for a handsome Rs 8.5 crore - almost 30 times his base price.
To put the enormity of that amount into context, Shane Watson, seasoned all-rounder and one of the giants of the game's shortest format, fetched only Rs 1 crore more. Yuvraj Singh, the man who has won India two World Cups, cost Rs 7 crore.
Negi turned out for Chennai Super Kings last year; his numbers were uninspiring but the impact indelible. In a game that is rapidly ceasing to be one populated by specialists, Negi is the versatile player that franchises covet.
His million-dollar purchase by the Daredevils was followed by Negi's selection in the Indian team for the T20 Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup. Delhi Daredevils CEO Hemant Dua says that Negi was one of their main targets. "He has improved tremendously in the last year. Playing under Dhoni has really helped him," explains Dua. "The fact that Pune pushed us all the way for him shows his worth."
Negi's cricket career took off from the little-known Delhi Kannada Senior Secondary School, nestled in a quiet corner of New Delhi's Lodhi Estate. In a school where football and kho-kho were the two dominant sports, Negi chose cricket. He started off as a left-arm pacer before switching to spin. His school friends say that his elder sister, Babita, who went on to represent Delhi, was his inspiration.
His career, however, fully burgeoned when he moved to Delhi Public School, Mathura Road in Class IX. Wily with the ball and more than formidable with bat in hand, Negi's all-round heroics helped his school routinely win major tournaments. As Arun Kumar, who trained with Negi at Delhi's National Stadium several years ago, explains: "He was that one bowler that opposition batsmen feared. He would come on and the batsmen would become extra cautious; he was always the main man." Negi, in fact, was a school cricket legend at the time. Stories about his astounding ability travelled far and wide.
Kapil Rawat, one of his classmates at Delhi Kannada, remembers Negi as a mischievous kid who had absolutely no interest in studies. "He would just play cricket. The classroom wasn't meant for him. But he loved troubling the other students," he says.
Despite Negi having played just three first-class games for Delhi, the Daredevils seem to have impeccable faith in his ability. "Earlier, he was a bowler who could bat; now it's the other way around. He is a real impact player. And, that's what we need," says Dua. There is no denying that Negi's batting has really come up in the last year. He excelled in the role of a pinch-hitter for the Super Kings, but now Negi can hold his own as a proper batsman. Hopefully, for Indian fans, before Negi sprays his enormous talent on the IPL canvas, he can help India clinch a second World T20 title.
DEEPAK HOODA
Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rs 4.2 crore
A stupefying 25-ball 54 saw the Royals snatch a last-ball victory. His performances for Baroda in the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy have been steady for the last two seasons, explaining perhaps why Sunrisers Hyderabad have invested so heavily in the Rohtak-born all-rounder. There is a general consensus that Hooda is the best young multi-skilled cricketer in the country.
Hooda, in a lot of ways, is the archetype of the modern-day T20 cricketer. Players who've played with Hooda call him "hurricane" for his ability to quickly change the complexion of a match, with both bat and ball.
"There was a lot of pressure after Rajasthan Royals got disbanded. I had to keep performing for a new franchise to notice me," says Hooda. His selection is another affirmation of franchises' growing penchant for players who can both bat and ball. As Hooda has illustrated time and again with his performances in domestic cricket, specialising in one discipline in this format of the game is barely adequate.
Hooda, who played junior cricket for Haryana, truly came to the fore during the 2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Even though India were dumped out of the tournament by England in the quarter-finals, Hooda shone with the ball. Sanjiv Sawant, his long-time coach, says that his ability to keep things simple is what works for him.
"As far as bowling goes, he is accurate; consistently landing in the ball in one area," he explains. In a format that is rapidly headed towards batsmen containment, Sunrisers skipper David Warner might have to turn to Hooda more than usual. Now, his goal, says Hooda, is to make his big price tag count.
KARUN NAIR
Delhi Daredevils, Rs 4 crore
His coaches were so impressed by Nair's precocious ability that he was earmarked to play for the Karnataka Ranji team the moment he started piling up big scores in local cricket. In 2013, when the opportunity to step into the big league arrived, Nair did not disappoint. In his debut season, the Jodhpur-born Nair scored three back-to-back centuries to lead Karnataka to the Ranji Trophy title. His performances were equally important in Karnataka's charge to the Irani Trophy title that same season. It was rather unsurprising then that Delhi Daredevils paid Rs 4 crore for the 24-year-old at the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this month.
"I didn't quite expect this. But being picked by the Daredevils is a great feeling," says Nair. For the last couple of years, Nair has worked closely with Rahul Dravid, first at Rajasthan Royals and then with the India A side. Dravid, he says, has helped him improve his game immensely. " He has given me a lot of confidence and helped me stay positive irrespective of results," explains Nair.
This Dravid pupil, though, is not quite in the same mold as his master. Nair, while opening the batting for the Royals, showed that he can give belt the new ball even when up against quality bowling. And, he can do that for long periods with almost stoical ease. In the 2014-15 Ranji final, Nair scored a triple century against Tamil Nadu, helping his side register a landslide victory.
His childhood coach, B Shivanand, says that Nair's versatility and ability to adapt is what sets him apart. For a number of years now, Nair has batted in various positions, ranging from number six to the opening slot. "I like to play all shots. And, I can bat at any number. It depends on how the team wants to use me," he says.
Nair's repertoire of shots is quite remarkable. He is a fierce cutter of the ball; the lofted shot down the ground is another favourite. But the swat over square-leg is one shot that he has studiously perfected in the last couple of years. "I like to keep it simple. I spot the gaps in the field and just hit the ball," he says coyly. Bengaluru has a history of producing great cricketers - Dravid, Anil Kumble, Gundappa Viswanath. Nair would be eager to join that list.
Delhi Daredevils, Rs 8.5 crore
Every year at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, an overeager franchise ends up splurging an inordinate amount on a player that leaves cricket fans perplexed. Talent, in such situations, generally trumps rationality. At this year's auction, that honour - or misfortune - went to Pawan Negi. The 23-year-old was bought by Delhi Daredevils for a handsome Rs 8.5 crore - almost 30 times his base price.
To put the enormity of that amount into context, Shane Watson, seasoned all-rounder and one of the giants of the game's shortest format, fetched only Rs 1 crore more. Yuvraj Singh, the man who has won India two World Cups, cost Rs 7 crore.
Negi turned out for Chennai Super Kings last year; his numbers were uninspiring but the impact indelible. In a game that is rapidly ceasing to be one populated by specialists, Negi is the versatile player that franchises covet.
His million-dollar purchase by the Daredevils was followed by Negi's selection in the Indian team for the T20 Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup. Delhi Daredevils CEO Hemant Dua says that Negi was one of their main targets. "He has improved tremendously in the last year. Playing under Dhoni has really helped him," explains Dua. "The fact that Pune pushed us all the way for him shows his worth."
Negi's cricket career took off from the little-known Delhi Kannada Senior Secondary School, nestled in a quiet corner of New Delhi's Lodhi Estate. In a school where football and kho-kho were the two dominant sports, Negi chose cricket. He started off as a left-arm pacer before switching to spin. His school friends say that his elder sister, Babita, who went on to represent Delhi, was his inspiration.
His career, however, fully burgeoned when he moved to Delhi Public School, Mathura Road in Class IX. Wily with the ball and more than formidable with bat in hand, Negi's all-round heroics helped his school routinely win major tournaments. As Arun Kumar, who trained with Negi at Delhi's National Stadium several years ago, explains: "He was that one bowler that opposition batsmen feared. He would come on and the batsmen would become extra cautious; he was always the main man." Negi, in fact, was a school cricket legend at the time. Stories about his astounding ability travelled far and wide.
Kapil Rawat, one of his classmates at Delhi Kannada, remembers Negi as a mischievous kid who had absolutely no interest in studies. "He would just play cricket. The classroom wasn't meant for him. But he loved troubling the other students," he says.
Despite Negi having played just three first-class games for Delhi, the Daredevils seem to have impeccable faith in his ability. "Earlier, he was a bowler who could bat; now it's the other way around. He is a real impact player. And, that's what we need," says Dua. There is no denying that Negi's batting has really come up in the last year. He excelled in the role of a pinch-hitter for the Super Kings, but now Negi can hold his own as a proper batsman. Hopefully, for Indian fans, before Negi sprays his enormous talent on the IPL canvas, he can help India clinch a second World T20 title.
DEEPAK HOODA
Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rs 4.2 crore
A stupefying 25-ball 54 saw the Royals snatch a last-ball victory. His performances for Baroda in the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy have been steady for the last two seasons, explaining perhaps why Sunrisers Hyderabad have invested so heavily in the Rohtak-born all-rounder. There is a general consensus that Hooda is the best young multi-skilled cricketer in the country.
Hooda, in a lot of ways, is the archetype of the modern-day T20 cricketer. Players who've played with Hooda call him "hurricane" for his ability to quickly change the complexion of a match, with both bat and ball.
"There was a lot of pressure after Rajasthan Royals got disbanded. I had to keep performing for a new franchise to notice me," says Hooda. His selection is another affirmation of franchises' growing penchant for players who can both bat and ball. As Hooda has illustrated time and again with his performances in domestic cricket, specialising in one discipline in this format of the game is barely adequate.
Hooda, who played junior cricket for Haryana, truly came to the fore during the 2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Even though India were dumped out of the tournament by England in the quarter-finals, Hooda shone with the ball. Sanjiv Sawant, his long-time coach, says that his ability to keep things simple is what works for him.
"As far as bowling goes, he is accurate; consistently landing in the ball in one area," he explains. In a format that is rapidly headed towards batsmen containment, Sunrisers skipper David Warner might have to turn to Hooda more than usual. Now, his goal, says Hooda, is to make his big price tag count.
KARUN NAIR
Delhi Daredevils, Rs 4 crore
His coaches were so impressed by Nair's precocious ability that he was earmarked to play for the Karnataka Ranji team the moment he started piling up big scores in local cricket. In 2013, when the opportunity to step into the big league arrived, Nair did not disappoint. In his debut season, the Jodhpur-born Nair scored three back-to-back centuries to lead Karnataka to the Ranji Trophy title. His performances were equally important in Karnataka's charge to the Irani Trophy title that same season. It was rather unsurprising then that Delhi Daredevils paid Rs 4 crore for the 24-year-old at the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this month.
"I didn't quite expect this. But being picked by the Daredevils is a great feeling," says Nair. For the last couple of years, Nair has worked closely with Rahul Dravid, first at Rajasthan Royals and then with the India A side. Dravid, he says, has helped him improve his game immensely. " He has given me a lot of confidence and helped me stay positive irrespective of results," explains Nair.
This Dravid pupil, though, is not quite in the same mold as his master. Nair, while opening the batting for the Royals, showed that he can give belt the new ball even when up against quality bowling. And, he can do that for long periods with almost stoical ease. In the 2014-15 Ranji final, Nair scored a triple century against Tamil Nadu, helping his side register a landslide victory.
His childhood coach, B Shivanand, says that Nair's versatility and ability to adapt is what sets him apart. For a number of years now, Nair has batted in various positions, ranging from number six to the opening slot. "I like to play all shots. And, I can bat at any number. It depends on how the team wants to use me," he says.
Nair's repertoire of shots is quite remarkable. He is a fierce cutter of the ball; the lofted shot down the ground is another favourite. But the swat over square-leg is one shot that he has studiously perfected in the last couple of years. "I like to keep it simple. I spot the gaps in the field and just hit the ball," he says coyly. Bengaluru has a history of producing great cricketers - Dravid, Anil Kumble, Gundappa Viswanath. Nair would be eager to join that list.