While the organisers of the IPL are battling to keep the 2021 show on the road amid rising Covid numbers in India, one thing that apparently remains unaffected by the pandemic is the financing of cricket’s richest league. February’s auction might only have been a minor one, but it still saw franchise and league-wide records spent on individual players. And yet shelling out boatloads of cash does not guarantee success. Mumbai Indians actually spend less than anyone, but are serial winners, while Punjab Kings spend the most to try and bridge the gap – yet are still no closer to a first title. Ahead of the first game of the new season between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday, how are the eight sides shaping up? After missing out on the playoffs for the first time in their history last season, the leaders of the Chennai franchise were quick to put a brave face on. Rebuilding was going to be a fun task, according to captain MS Dhoni and coach Stephen Fleming. The response has been expensive. In February, they splashed out two of their biggest ever fees at auction, bringing in Moeen Ali and the uncapped Krishnappa Gowtham. Whether it be the new recruits, or just the return back to India from the UAE, they will be out to prove that last season was merely a dropped stitch. The Capitals have never been closer to glory than they managed last season. They were within touching distance of the trophy in Dubai, at least until Trent Boult fired out Marcus Stoinis first ball of the final, <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/cricket/ipl-2020-mumbai-indians-crowned-champions-for-the-fifth-time-after-comprehensive-win-in-dubai-1.1109336">and all was lost from that point on</a>. Reaching this point has been a costly business. The Delhi franchise have spent in excess of $33 million at auction since 2013, more than double what Mumbai Indians have spent in the same period. This season they will be without their injured captain Shreyas Iyer, with Rishabh Pant given the responsibility in his stead. When KKR spent what was then a record fee for an overseas player to get Pat Cummins back ahead of 2020, it reinforced the general idea that they are flashy, big-spenders. However, according to research by Cricket Bet India studying each auction signing since 2013, Kolkata are in the middle or the pack when it comes to spend on players. On average, their recruits have cost $268,000 per player. Cummins had a slow start last season, but should be better off for having since been <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/cricket/record-2-25-million-bid-for-chris-morris-and-other-top-buys-at-ipl-2021-auction-in-pictures-1.1169186">relieved of the tag of most expensive by Chris Morris</a>. The IPL's most successful franchise spare no expense in caring for their players. Evidence their <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/cricket/ipl-2020-mumbai-indians-unique-recreation-centre-at-abu-dhabi-team-hotel-in-pictures-1.1073843">lavish living quarters</a> when they were in Abu Dhabi last season. However, because they have had such a settled side for so long, their spend on new players at auction is the least of any side – a mere $220,000 on average. The fact there was no mega auction ahead of this season, no massive rehash of rival squads, and just a five-month turnaround anyway, means the champions are in good shape for a hat-trick of titles. It is seven years now since the side formerly known as Kings XI Punjab last made the playoffs. Their underachievement compared to outlay is stark. No side spend more at auction, with Punjab laying out an average of $336,000 per player since 2013. Even though they finished sixth last season in the UAE, they actually coloured the competition brightly. They had a rousing run in the second half of the season, were involved in some compelling finishes, and Nicholas Pooran was a headline act who is becoming more and more reliable. Remember when Rajasthan Royals were the Moneyball franchise? They were the cheapest side to put together, who then marched to the first title, largely by force of personality of their legendary captain Shane Warne. They were simpler times. Ranjit Barthakur, their chairman, reflected last season that that’s not really possible anymore, and world stars like Ben Stokes as Jofra Archer don’t come cheap. Neither does Chris Morris. Rajasthan made the South African quick bowler the most expensive player at an IPL auction ahead of this season. Repaying the faith will be even more important given they will be without the injured Archer <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/cricket/jofra-archer-to-miss-england-one-day-series-in-india-and-start-of-ipl-season-due-to-elbow-problem-1.1188425">for at least the start of the campaign</a>. Attempting to break their title duck has been a costly business, and RCB are still no closer to doing so. On average since 2013, they have spent $306,000 on new players at auction – the second highest amount among the active franchises, after Punjab Kings. This season, that has included spending a king’s ransom on Kyle Jamieson, a bowler who wowed in Tests against India, but who is unproven in franchise cricket. Only Mumbai Indians are thriftier at auction than Sunrisers, who spend $241,000 on players at auction on average. They fell just short of the final last year, losing the eliminator to Delhi Capitals in Abu Dhabi. Turning up new players who are little heralded is a skill in the cash-rich climes of the IPL. Sunrisers did just that – for the benefit of all of India – with the emergence of yorker aficionado Thangarasu Natarjan last season.
