The players’ auction for the 13th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will take place on December 19, and franchisees are going to get down to brass tracks as each team would be looking to make the best combination.
The last season wasn’t as electrifying as fans expected it to be; the reason was that several crucial players opted out due to the preparations for the World Cup. However, this time, history is not going to repeat itself, and most of those players are set to make a return to play for the full edition.
So, let’s have a look at the three players who will attract the most franchisees and may give birth to a bidding-war:
Jason Roy
Jason Roy is arguably the best limited over opener in modern cricket. And without any doubt, he will be the center of attraction in the upcoming auction. The kind of form he’s in, no team would want to let go of him. As far as openers are concerned, Roy will be the hottest property.
The Surrey cricketer was a part of England’s squad that won the 2019 World Cup. In his 32 International T20 matches, Roy has scored 743 runs, with 78 being his highest.
The cross-bat swing that he possesses helps him to hit the ball a long way. Roy can destroy the opponent team’s bowling as he hits the ball hard. For some, he’s just like the great Brandan McCullum. So, teams who need a power-striker as their opener can bid on Roy.
Chris Morris
Ahead of the 2020 auction, the experienced South African all-rounder was released by Delhi Capitals. The previous edition was disappointing for him; however, he has an impressive record in IPL. In 61 matches, Morris has amassed 517 runs with a strike-rate of 157.62, and he has also earned 69 wickets with 4/23 being his best.
The 32-year old all-rounder is having a good run in the ongoing Mzansi Super League. In the leading wicket-takers, he’s at the 7th spot. In 11 matches, Morris has taken ten wickets and has scored 122 runs with a decent average of 30.50.
Franchisees who are looking for a value for money player, for them Morris would be a good choice. With a base price of INR 1.5 crore, it’s expected that the Pretoria born could get the right amount of money as teams will have a go at him.
Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn needs no introduction as his career stats speak for him. However, he’s not as lethal as he was a few years back, but the Proteas speedster still can’t get ignored.
Steyn has played 92 matches in the lucrative league and taken 96 wickets with an average of 24.73 and an economy of 6.76.
He is currently playing the Mzansi Super League for Cape Town Blitz, and he’s showing that he still has a lot of hunger left to hunt down the batting order. The pacer has taken 15 wickets so far and is at the 2nd spot in the leading wicket-takers after Imran Tahir.
In the upcoming auction, Steyn would be vital, especially for those teams who are looking for a pacer who consists of a lot of experience, and the South African fits perfectly in the criteria.
In the history of IPL, Steynmis at the 15th spot to take most wickets amongst all bowlers, and amongst overseas, he’s at the 4th position, only Lasith Malinga, Dwayne Bravo, and Sunil Narine are ahead of him.
