Former Punjab Kings skipper-Mayank Agarwal, Overseas all-rounders-Ben Stokes, Cameron Green and Sam Curran are all set to grab eye-balls in the upcoming auction.
With the IPL Auction few days away from action, the franchises’ leads have started developing their action plans and whom could they target on the auction table. Many big names, both Indians and overseas, have decided to throw their hats in this year’s auction keeping in mind the next 50-over World Cup that is scheduled in India next year. Among all the categories, one category of players that is set to grab a lot of attention is of the overseas Fast-bowling allrounders which consists of Cameron Green, Ben Stokes, and Sam Curran to name a few. Also, with the dearth of experienced Indian batters in the auctions, former Punjab Kings-skipper Mayank Agarwal is set to be in huge demand as well. Keeping in the team compositions and auction availability, here is the probable prime target of each IPL franchise –
1. Gujrat Titans – Following the exit of their frontline-overseas pacer, Lockie Ferguson, the current-champions are in search of a reliable 4-over bowler to accompany Shami and Alzarri Joseph. Keeping in mind the availability of players, Jason Holder or Sam Curran could be possible picks. However, someone like a Riley Meredith, who can provide the extra pace can be a prime pick for the Titans this auction.
2. Chennai Super Kings – With M.S. Dhoni’s retirement inching closer and Ravindra Jadeja’s captaincy stint not faring well enough, CSK’s search for a successor to MSD shall be continued in the upcoming auction as well. With this, Kane Williamson seems to be their prime pick for a solid number 3 position as well as future captain.
3. Delhi Capitals – With most of their team settled, it is unlikely that the Capitals break the bank for anyone in the auctions. However, their eyes could be glued to Cameron Green to bring him in as a back-up for the injury-prone Mitchell Marsh.
4. Sunrisers Hyderabad – The Sunrisers need a Captain, a number 3 batter as well as a finisher and they are all set to own the auction with their huge purse. They could possibly break the bank for Ben Stokes, with whom they shall receive a captain, a top-order batter, and a finisher as well along with few overs.
5. Punjab Kings – The Kings from Punjab go into this year’s auctions finding a reliable all-rounder as has been the case since quite a few years. Odean Smith’s punt didn’t fare well for the Kings last season and thus they would be on a hunt for his replacement. Sam Curran or Ben Stokes could be their prime targets this time around.
6. Kolkata Knight Riders – With a settled unit and a low purse, the Knights are unlikely to go big for any of the stars. Back-ups is what they shall be looking for this time around. It is possible that they try to get Harry Brook or Nicholas Pooran on board with their middle-order lacking power incase of an injury to Andre Russel or Shreyas Iyer.
7. Lucknow Super Giants – The Giants too more or less have a settled unit. They just need someone who could fill in Mark Wood’s shoes in case he gets injured yet again like the previous season. They too like their counterparts Gujrat Titans could go for Riley Meredith for his express pace or even could look at Jhye Richardson.
8. Royal Challengers Bangalore – Faf Du Plessis’s opening partner is yet to be found as Anuj Rawat did not live upto their expectations last season. The Challengers are probably all set to have a go at the Karnataka-guy Mayank Agarwal and form a very destructive batting-order with Faf, Mayank, Virat, Maxwell, and DK.
9. Mumbai Indians – With the exit of all-rounders Kieron Pollard and Daniel Sams, Mumbai Indians are all set to break their bank for one of the prime all-rounders in the auctions. According to me, they would be looking to grab Sam Curran to accompany Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer in the death as well as powerplay overs.
10. Rajasthan Royals – Another team with a fairly settled unit at its helm. However, they too would be looking at all-rounders which they lacked in the previous season. It would do them good if they look to grab someone like Jason Holder instead of going for the big names in the auction.
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