10 Players who could earn big bucks in the 2016 IPL auctions

The window for the franchises to retain players for the VIVO Indian Premier League 2016 season got shut on December 31, 2015. A total of 101 cricketers including 37 overseas players were retained by the IPL franchises. Some high profile players were not retained by their respective franchises and will go under the hammer during the auctions. Here’s a list of 10 players who could be in great demand to feature in this year’s Indian T20 extravaganza. 1. Colin Munro: (Photo Source: Getty Images) The Kiwi has been in solid form recently and played some breathtaking innings for New Zealand. He scored a 16-ball 50 against Sri Lanka last Sunday and showcased his immense big-hitting ability. It is quality aggressive cricketers, who can change the face of the game in a matter of overs that are always in demand during the IPL auction and the left-hander is just the kind of batsmen a captain would love having in the lineup. 2. Martin Guptill: New Zealand’s Martin Guptill. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) Guptill has been one of New Zealand’s most consistent batsmen in the T20 format as he has scores of 33, 42, 60, 58 and 63 in his last five T20I matches. His exploits in the 2015 World Cup would have not gone unnoticed either. The right-hander is a belligerent opening batsman who has the ability to play long innings in the shorter formats as well. It will be interesting to see which teams would be eager to fill its opening slot with this talented Kiwi. 3. Kevin Pietersen: Kevin Pietersen. (© Getty Images) The Englishman will be available for the entire duration of the IPL and that will help his cause to no end. He is no longer a part of the England team and will be able to fully commit himself to IPL. He missed out last year and will be eager to entertain his fast legion of fans in India. A popular player, KP has been in superb form playing T20 around the world in tournaments like Ram Slam, Big Bash and Caribbean Premier league. When in flow KP is an absolute delight to watch. Sunrisers Hyderabad paid Rs 2 crore for KP in the 2015 auction. 4. Yuvraj Singh: Yuvraj Singh DD. (Photo Source: BCCI) Yuvraj Singh hit the limelight with a series of solid performances in domestic cricket and earned a comeback to the national T20 side. He will tour Australia and his performances will be keenly followed by not just his fans but also the IPL team owners. He has failed to live up to the expectations in IPL, however, one can never count the southpaw out. In the 2015 Vijay Hazare trophy, he was one of the most consistent performers striking the ball as crisply as he has ever done. Delhi Daredevils paid a whopping Rs 16 crore to acquire his services in the 2015 edition. 5. Darren Sammy: Darren Sammy RCB. (Photo Source: BCCI) The West Indies skipper in the shortest format of the game is a brilliant cricketer and a showman of sorts. Known to play cameos in tricky situations, Sammy brings the kind of flair which is typical of a cricketer from the Caribbean. A useful medium pace bowler, Sammy is also a brilliant fielder. A complete package for the T20 format, the ever smiling West Indian will be in great demand during the auctions. He is a great team man and an inspirational leader on and off the field. RCB paid Rs 2.8 crore for the West Indian in the 2015 auction. 6. Kagiso Rabada: (Photo Source: BCCI) The young South African fast bowler impressed one and all with his performances in India against the home side. He was able to hold his nerves in tough situations during the ODI series. Pace, accuracy and above all a temperament to stay unruffled in the most demanding of situations makes him a one of the most promising fast bowlers around the world. Rabada gained a lot of popularity on that tour as Indian fans and experts alike praised his skills to no end. 7. Shane Watson: Shane Watson RR. (Photo Source: BCCI) Watson was an integral part of the Rajasthan Royals team since the inception of IPL. Having retired from Test cricket and finding it difficult to earn a place in Australia’s ODI side, he will be in huge demand. An ability to hit the ball a mile and contribute with the ball as well made him the stand out performer on many occasions for his previous team. He even skippered the team on many occasions putting his vast international experience to great use. He has done well in the ongoing BBL Down Under and will looking forward to play in India in a new team. 8. George Bailey: (Photo Source: BCCI) Bailey was surprisingly not retained by the Kings XI Punjab despite of leading the team well since past 2 years. The right-hander has been in superb form recently. He battled brilliantly in the BBL and has continued his golden run in the ongoing series against India in Australia. A cool and calm head under pressure allows him to execute his skills when needed the most. He is a popular member of the Australian side and IPL team owners will be eager to get him in their teams. He was bought for Rs 3.25 crore by the Punjab outfit in the 2014 auction. 9. Thisara Perera: Thisara Perera. (Photo Source: AFP) Another member of the Kings XI Punjab team, the Sri Lankan is a brilliant all-rounder cricketer. He is not only renowned for his lusty blows but also for bowling accurate yorkers at the death. The left-hander has the strength to clear any boundary in the world and has played in T20 leagues around the world. He is another complete package for the shortest format and will be eager to get a long run in this edition of the IPL. He was bought by Kings XI for Rs 1.6 crores in the 2014 auction. 10. Irfan Pathan: (Photo Source: BCCI) Last but not the least, the man who has been in stellar form in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament. Irfan has played 8 matches and led his team Baroda expertly. With 15 wickets including a four-for and a five-for 171 runs with the bat he has been in top gear. His strike rate is mighty impressive at 155.45 courtesy 11 fours and 9 massive sixes. He has made a strong recovery from injuries and is fully fit now. An asset for any team, Irfan’s match-winning ability should attract many during the auctions. He was brought for Rs 1.5 crore from CSK in the 2015 auction.