Follow UsFormer India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh says Suresh Raina and Umesh Yadav not getting a single bid in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 auction.
The former CSK bowler reckons Umesh Yadav may still get picked in the accelerator, but it may not be the same case for Raina, who has retired from international cricket and plays very little competitive cricket these days.
“It is very strange sort of thing for me to see someone like Umesh Yadav, who has been playing cricket for so many years and been a consistent member of the Indian cricket team. It's sad that someone did not pick their name at the auction," Harbhajan told India Today at the end of the first day's auction.
"For me, it was a sad sort of moment of the auction. But I feel he will have a chance tomorrow. Some team will go for him. But not too sure for Raina as he hardly plays any cricket,” he added.
Even if CSK bid for Raina in the accelerator, Harbhajan reckons it won't be the same, having not bid for him in the auction for a base price of INR 2 crore.
“Of course, he has been a very consistent member of the Chennai Super Kings and known as Mr. IPL," Harbhajan said.
"It is so sad when you see Umesh and Raina not getting a bid. Maybe CSK might buy him tomorrow but it will not be the same thing as you want to get picked in the first round itself. It was a sad sight of the IPL. This is how you reflect on time.
“When Raina was at his best he wasn't just CSK's top pick but all the other teams as well. 13-14 years later there are many other players now and Raina might find it difficult to make the squad as well.”
As many as 74 players were sold out of 97 players who were put up for auction on the first day in Bengaluru. Ishan Kishan emerged the most expensive buy, with Mumbai Indians (MI) shelling out 15.25 crore for his services.