Brathwaite lands big payday with Daredevils

Brathwaite lands big payday with Daredevils

Published: Guardian
Sunday, February 7, 2016

Carlos Brathwaite
BENGALURU, India—Rising West Indies star Carlos Brathwaite made headlines at the Indian Premier League auction yesterday when he was snapped up by Delhi Daredevils for US$626 000.

The 27-year-old, who made a huge impact with his power-hitting on the recent Test tour of Australia, entered the draft with a base price of US$30 000 but saw his value catapult as Delhi moved quickly to secure his services. He will now make his first ever appearance in the glitzy multi-million-dollar tournament that runs from April 8 to May 29.

Carlos Brathwaite hits straightWest Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite … snapped up by Delhi Daredevils for hefty price.

“Excited to be a part of IPL and DelhiDaredevils. Giving thanks,” Brathwaite tweeted shortly afterward. He was one four West Indies players to find success during the auction. Opener Dwayne Smith was picked up by new franchise Gujarat Lions for US$343,000, Test and one-day captain Jason Holder was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for $104,000 while leg-spinner Samuel Badree went to Royal Challengers Bangalore for $74 000.

Brathwaite, a powerful lower order batsman and steady seamer, has been on the fringe of West Indies Test selection for some time but finally made his debut on the tour Down Under last December. He struck 59 in his first Test innings at Melbourne and then flaunted his bold attacking style in the final Test in Sydney, blasting 69 from 71 balls with seven fours and four sixes.

However, it was his scintillating hundred in a one-day game against Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI last October in Colombo, that would have caught the attention. He faced just 58 balls and slammed ten fours and seven sixes in a devastating knock.

Smith, meanwhile, also saw his value rise significantly after entering at a base price of $50 000. A seasoned IPL campaigner, will play alongside West Indies teammate Dwayne Bravo who was one of Lions’ retained players. Last season, both Smith and Bravo represented the now suspended Chennai Super Kings.

West Indies Twenty20 captain Darren Sammy went unsold, however, after entering at a base price of $50,000.

The 32-year-old lower order batsman and medium pacer turned out for Royal Challengers Bangalore last season but played just two matches and scored 13 runs, without taking a wicket. CMC

Congratulation to Brathwaite. I hope now that he will be able to perform in a manner which will serve to further improve his stocks. Many West Indies cricketers have recently come to the fore, promising much but subsequently delivering very little. However, I hope Brathwaite may be able to break that cycle

While I am very happy that Carlos is getting that amount he must know that this is more due to luck and the fact that Delhi Daredevils have been historically poor at auctions, buying players for prices much higher than their skills should warrant. He must not let this money get to his head and focus on doing well for West Indies in international cricket, otherwise it will be just another talented player lost to the rut of T20 leagues.