There aren't many, if any, T20 bowlers better than Umar Gul. This format has been played for 3-4 years now, and he's pretty much at or near the top for the entire period. He also has no off-field or work ethic issues. This guy is clearly worth buying out someone else's contract if you've run out of the 10 international player slots.
Umar Akmal & Md Aamer are very good and while they might not be irreplacable, they're exactly the sort of new thing on the block that adds considerable spice to a flashy event like IPL. Kemar Roach & Pollard got extra attention for similar reasons, they aren't veterans either.
So, (at least) 3 players who, by any criteria that involved individuals alone, could've been picked and one of them pretty much a must-have. No use trying to pretend or insinuate otherwise.
(Tanvir should have particular value for RR, but he's dropped off from the international radar. Afridi has the reputation of being a toxic asset in the dressing room, that should actually make him 'untouchable' in the best of times too. Rest of the players have been average, and I dont see them having a chance when 11 out of 66 were selected)
Umar Akmal & Md Aamer are very good and while they might not be irreplacable, they're exactly the sort of new thing on the block that adds considerable spice to a flashy event like IPL. Kemar Roach & Pollard got extra attention for similar reasons, they aren't veterans either.
So, (at least) 3 players who, by any criteria that involved individuals alone, could've been picked and one of them pretty much a must-have. No use trying to pretend or insinuate otherwise.
(Tanvir should have particular value for RR, but he's dropped off from the international radar. Afridi has the reputation of being a toxic asset in the dressing room, that should actually make him 'untouchable' in the best of times too. Rest of the players have been average, and I dont see them having a chance when 11 out of 66 were selected)