We are now just a few days away from the much anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 auction. The auction is scheduled to be held in Chennai on the 18th of February and with as many as 292 players to choose from, the auction promises to be an entertaining one.
The initial list consisted of a staggering 1,114 players and the filtration process has bought down the number to 292 players. The shortlisting meant that Indian pacer Sreesanth could not make the cut as no teams showed any interest in the veteran.
Earlier, Cricwizz brought you the list of players and their base price. If you did miss it. You might want to keep yourself up to date with the intriguing list ahead of the Auction. https://www.cricwizz.com/article/indian-premier-league-ipl-2021-auction-all-you-need-know-990102
Cricwizz took an insight into the list of the remaining 292 players and we bring you the top 10 players to watch out for in the upcoming auction.
1) Alex Hales
The first player that catches our eye in the lot is the English opener- Alex Hales. The 32-year old has been in tremendous form in the recently concluded Big Bash League, scoring 543 runs in 15 matches at an excellent average of 39 and strike-rate of 161.60. The English National has made himself available for a base price of 1.5 crores. But he is likely to go for far more given his vast experience and consistency at the top-order.
2) Steve Smith
The former Rajasthan Royals skipper was released by the franchise and now has set himself a base price of 2 crores. It was announced that Sanju Samson would be replacing the Australian as the captain of the Royals and that serves no good to the World No.2 test batsman. Though he posses a modest Strike-rate of 126 in T20, he is yet to show why he could be a match-winner in the shortest format. Given his experience and quality, the teams would be looking at him as someone who can play the anchoring role.
3) Dawid Malan
Another English batsman is expected to heat up the bidding. The current World No.1 T20I batsman has set himself at a base price of 1.5 crores. Though the 33-year old is yet to play the grandest T20 league. He has showcased some extreme hitting at the International level and that is expected to fetch him the big money. His recent form in the BBL may not be in favor of him but he is someone who can play all the gears. With Watson announcing his retirement from IPL, Will Chennai Super Kings eye the Englishman?
4) Harbhajan Singh
Talk about experience and we have the Indian spinner, Harbhajan Singh. The 40-year old was not part of the Chennai Super Kings in the last season after he decides to pull out owing to personal reasons. The franchise though have decided to release the veteran and he has put himself in the top category of 2 crores. He is only one of the two Indians who have registered themselves in the 2 crores club with the other being Kedar Jadhav, who again was released by CSK. Who do you think will pick up the veteran?
5) Glenn Maxwell
The Australian hard-hitter had a nightmare season in the last edition of the IPL and for that reason, Kings Xl Punjab decided to release the hard-hitting all-rounder. The 32-year old though showed great touch in the series against India and also played some crucial innings at the BBL. But, It would be interesting to see how the Aussie plays in Indian conditions. He does a good value with the ball as well and that is likely to do him good at the auctions, where he has priced himself at the top category of 2 crores.
6) Shakib Al Hasan
The Bangladeshi star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan marked his return to International after being banned by the ICC for not reporting a corrupt approach. The 33- year old has made him available for 2 crores. He is also in splendid touch both with the bat and ball. He is someone who is likely to create a bidding war on February 18th.
7) Jhye Richardson
The third Aussie to make it to our list. This time it is the fast bowler Jhye Richardson. There is no doubting the potential and caliber of the 24-year old pacer. But his injury-stricken career has to be the issue for the growth of the Australian. He did show great character in the recently concluded BBL. playing 17 matches and picking up 29 wickets. He ended the season as the highest wicket-taker, 5 wickets ahead of Ben Dwarshuis. He is also someone who can hit the ball a long way. Any guesses on which franchise would be eyeing him?
8) Cheteshwar Pujara
Yes, you read it write. It is the Indian test specialist- Pujara who has registered himself for the auction for a modest price of 50 lakhs. Not well known for his power hitting, the 33-year old is a great anchor of the innings and also can play the gorgeous drives down the ground. His character of pricing his wicket very high and ability to adapt to any conditions is likely to fetch the spot in one of the franchises.
9) Marnus Labuschagne
The animated young Australian is next on our list. With not much T20 experience under his belt, the 26-year old will be hoping he can play his first IPL this season. He is someone who can add great value at No.3 and has a variety of shots in his arsenal. He did show his great bowling skills in the recently concluded IPL, picking up 10 wickets from just 6 games played. He also finished with a splendid bowling average of 14.60. With a base price of 1 crore, he is a definite pick in the upcoming auction.
10) Daniel Christian
Another Australian makes it to the list and this time it is the veteran, Daniel Christian. He is undoubtedly the most experienced on our list, having played 342 matches. The 37-year old seems to be still hungry for runs and wickets and proved in the BBL that he still has steam left in him. The match-winner picked up 15 wickets in the BBL and also scored 272 runs at a strike-rate of 162. The capped candidate has capped himself at a base price of 75 lakhs and any team who are looking for an experienced pacer and power-hitter would be drooling over the Australian.
That concludes our handpicked top 10 players to watch out for in the upcoming auction. Which one of them do you want to see being picked by your team? Stay tuned with Cricwizz for more updates on the IPL auction.
