In this age of data and scouting, it is difficult for franchises to discover talent and keep it under wraps in the hopes that they can get it in a deal at auction.
In this age of data and scouting, it is difficult for franchises to discover talent and keep it under wraps in the hopes that they can get it in a deal at auction.IPL Auction: What is the unsung gem unearthed by talent scouts, who will follow in the footsteps of Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah?
It was in 2014, with another edition of the Indian Super League looking big and arriving on Indian shores early for preparation, that John Wright discovered a talent that would be unleashed nine years later by becoming the most high-profile transfer of all time. time.
In mid-March to be precise, Wright – who was still in his position as Mumbai Indians’ head coach that season – got his first look at Hardik Pandya, a player who was an unknown commodity outside Baroda. Against a Mumbai attack that included Zaheer Khan, not only did he score an unbeaten 82, but everything about Pandya stood out to Wright.
Six months later, Wright moved into his new role as Mumbai Indians’ chief scout, convincing head coach Ricky Ponting and Ambanis to spend Rs 10 lakh on Pandya, thus kick-starting a glittering career. In two consecutive years, Wright gave Mumbai Indians and India two gems – the first being Jasprit Bumrah – through aggressive scouting, which was still new for IPL franchises. The likes of Krunal Pandya, Tilak Varma and Nihal Vadera keep adding to the list, but with each passing season, the element of surprise seems to diminish. (read more)