“It’s really exciting to see your name up there for the auction,” M Siddharth exclaimed.
At the recent IPL 2024 mini-auction held on December 19, there was an exciting twist as Manimaran Siddharth made a remarkable comeback. Previously sidelined due to injury concerns, Siddharth had faced setbacks while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals in the IPL. However, he kept working hard in Tamil Nadu’s cricketing circuits and showcased his talent in the TNPL, which kept him in the spotlight.
With a mix of anticipation and nervousness, the 25-year-old awaited his fate at the auction. Lucknow Super Giants showed a keen interest, sparking a bidding war that also involved Royal Challengers Bangalore. Starting with a base price of Rs 20 lakh, M Siddharth’s luck changed dramatically as he secured an impressive deal of Rs 2.4 crore from Lucknow.
Expressing his relief and joy, Siddharth shared, “I was nervous, especially the night before the auction. It’s a big deal to see your name on the auction list. I kept wondering if I would get picked because I really wanted to be part of the IPL this time. I missed out the last two years. I told myself I had to make it this time. Success brings motivation, and I felt this was the right opportunity for me to move forward. I’m really glad it happened.”
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M Siddharth aspires to be a powerplay maverick
M Siddharth has been working hard to improve his skills, especially after being advised by Tamil Nadu captain Dinesh Karthik to bowl during powerplays in 2019. As a left-arm leg-spinner, he has made significant progress since then. Over the past four years, he has become known for his ability to restrict opposing batters, both during and after the powerplay.
“I’ve been putting in a lot of effort over the past couple of years. My goal was always to make an impact wherever I played. I saw the TNPL as a great opportunity to do that. When I started bowling in the powerplay, I performed well, and I had a feeling that something good was going to happen,” Siddharth said.