Tom Moody describes reason for Glenn Maxwell going for a big money

Glenn Maxwell might have got a duck for Australia in the One-dayer against the West Indies on Sunday, but it certainly didn't affect the Victorian's fortunes at the players' auction of the sixth IPL as Mumbai Indians turned him into the cash-rich league's latest million-dollar baby.

While Nita Ambani kept it simple saying that allrounder Maxwell will be a key ingredient of her team, Hyderabad Sunrisers coach Tom Moody, who lost the bidding battle for the player, explained why the 24-year-old went for such big money.

"He has been in very good form of late for Australia and that's what matters in auctions like these. He is the kind of impact player who really comes in handy," Moody said.

According to Moody, an established player-turned-coach who understands the requirements of this format, Maxwell is a player who can make a difference on a regular basis. "If you play a winning hand once in every four matches, you can be recognized as a match-winner in T20s. Maxwell fits into that category very well... We would have loved to have him in our line-up," Moody said.

Maxwell first came into prominence in 2010 when he scored a 19-ball half-century against Tasmania, the fastest limited-overs fifty in Australia's domestic history. He was bought by Delhi Daredevils last year, but failed to make an impact and was released by the franchise.

Last month he came up with some decent performances for Australia and the clincher might have been the 51 not out against West Indies in the first ODI. "He can do a decent job when he is pushed up the order as well," Moody said, explaining Maxwell's credentials.

The next big surprise at the auction was 21-year-old Australian paceman Kane Richardson, who was bought for $70,000 by Pune Warriors. "We were looking for a pacer who can work up a decent pace and Richardson fits the bill," Susanta Roy, owner of Pune Warriors, told the TOI.

Richardson has played only one ODI for Australia, called up as replacement for injured Mitchell Starc. But it was his steady show in the Big Bash for Adelaide Strikers that fetched him the big money. "Big Bash is an important tournament for the IPL recruiters and we keep a close eye on it. Last year we decided to go for Steve Smith after watching Big Bash, and now it is Richardson... I hope Richardson is as effective for us as Smith was last year," Roy said.

The third surprise was South African Chris Morris, who was bagged by Chennai Super Kings for $675,000. The allrounder, who bowls fast medium, has a T20 strike rate of 175 with the bat while his economy rate is 6.85.