5 Overseas T20 League players who can cause bidding wars in IPL 2021 auction

The thirteenth edition of the Indian Premier League – IPL was the most competitive one in the history of the tournament. While everyone had written off the Kings XI Punjab, they bounced back superbly and lost during the final stage of the league phase. Rajasthan Royals had an awesome start to the season, in their first encounter, they decimated the Chennai attack and later, Rahul Tewatia’s iconic inning ensured that the Royals kick-started Punjab’s misery.

The defending champions started with a loss, but what happened later for the Mumbai-based franchise was nothing short of spectacular. They won regularly and their lineup was considered as the strongest ever for a T20 team. Well, the story for the Chennai Super Kings was a sad one, because it was for the very first time, they failed to make it to the playoffs. However, they found their silver lining in the form of Ruturaj Gaikwad, and the three-time champions won their last three matches of the league stage.

The Sunrisers were severely affected by the injures and lack of plans during the second qualifier. Although it was a better season for the Royal Challengers, they lost their winning momentum and were eventually eliminated in the eliminator against the Sunrisers. The Capitals made history as they made it to the finals for the first time, but a strong Mumbai lineup ensured that they had to satisfy with the second position.

As we move ahead to another IPL season, the analysts and team owners are applying every sort of permutations and combinations to improve their lineup and bench strength. Now, as we enter a new year, the fans might expect the fourteenth edition to be conducted on home soil.

 5 players from other leagues who can cause bidding wars in 2021 IPL auction:

5. Wanindu Hasaranga

Excluding Mumbai Indians, every team lacked a proper middle-order batsman who could bowl a full-quota of four overs. Well, the very first edition of the Lanka Premier League witnessed the rise of Wanindu Hasaranga, an aggressive middle-order batsman who can bowl proper leg-spin. He was directly drafted from the under-19 side into the national team. During his first outing against Zimbabwe in 2017, he claimed a hattrick.

This made him the only debutant to do so, and as he achieved this feat in his third over, this makes him one of the favourites for the teams looking for a leg spinner and an attacking middle-order batsman. For teams like CSK, who are looking for a spinner after the departure of Imran Tahir and Harbhajan Singh, a spinner like Wanindu Hasaranga could do the trick for M.S. Dhoni.

In T20Is, he has an impressive economy rate of 7.81 and an affordable highest score of 44. Hasaranga’s best moment came against Pakistan when he was given a chance to play as the senior members had refused to travel citing security reasons. The youngster stepped up and secured the victory for the visitors as he won his first Man-of-the-series award.

Apart from CSK, teams like KXIP and Rajasthan Royals can aim for Wanindu Hasaranga. During the first edition of the Lanka Premier League, he managed to claim 17 wickets in 10 outings with the best bowling figures of 3/15. Although the number of Sri Lankans having an IPL contract is minimal, Wanindu Hasaranga can open the door for many aspiring Sri Lankan players to have an experience of the toughest T20 league.

4. Chris Green

Another upcoming T20 superstar, Chris Green has the experience of playing in major T20 leagues. He has represented Birmingham Bears, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lahore Qalandars, Sydney Thunders, and Toronto Nationals. Well, if a team is looking for an experienced T20 specialist all-rounder, then Chris Green has to be their pick. An allrounder who can hit lusty blows down the order and pick-up vital wickets, Green might be the next big player to watch out for.

For teams like the Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and the Royal Challengers, Green might be the player to fill in the roles of a proper allrounder who can bat. With a good strike rate of 125.28 in T20s and the highest score of 49, Green can play the anchor role in case of a collapse, which is quite common in T20s. Talking about his bowling, he has played over 100 T20 matches and has career-best bowling figures of 4/14. An economy rate of 6.78, is priceless given the fact that T20 is considered a batsman’s game.

Now, as many teams in the IPL are looking for an allrounder, Chris Green might start a bidding war in the upcoming auction. Over the years, he has been the backbone of Sydney Thunder and for teams like the Chennai Super Kings, who suffered heavily due to the failure of their spinners, Green might be their catalyst to another title win. An experience of over 100 matches ensures that Green has all the composure and maturity of play according to the conditions. For his solid record in T20s, Green makes it to this list of 5 other T20 League players that can cause bidding wars in the IPL 2021 auction.

3. Scott Kuggeleijn

For teams that rely on fast bowling to do the damage in middle over of an inning, then Scott Kuggeleijn is their go-to man in the upcoming auctions. A genuine pace bowling allrounder who can cross the 140 kmph mark regularly, Scott can also hit some useful blows down the order. Much like Jofra Archer, Scott can bowl quick and score runs easily. In his short career, he has a strike rate of 213.51 in 16 T20s.

The high strike rate is mainly due to the death over cameos. For teams like Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Scott can play the role of a finisher and bowl his quota of four overs. Although he is a bit expensive, his economy rate is destined to improve considering the fact his performance during the recent edition of the CPL was impressive. During the tournament, he took 17 wickets in 11 innings with an economy of 7.79, this might draw the attention of various franchises.

A batsman who can bowl is always an asset. As Scott performed exceedingly well with the Northern Districts, he was later picked for New Zealand’s tour of Ireland in 2017, and later, in 2019, he was drafted into the playing eleven against India. During the series, his performances were up to the mark. A regular IPL experience can help him grow as a mature player as New Zealand’s team continues to grow stronger.

2. Tim Seifert

In the shortest format of the game, every team needs a wicket-keeper batsman who can score quickly. The teams like Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Mumbai Indians have wicket-keeper batsmen who can play quickfire innings. Well for teams like the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Royal Challengers, they can look forward to including Tim Seifert in the playing eleven. Tim Seifert made it to the headlines as he scored the quickest T20 century in New Zealand’s domestic cricket history.

A 40-ball century enabled him to compete for the primary wicket-keeper batsman for New Zealand. In his T20I career, he has scored 668 runs at a strike rate of 139.46, which is impressive and attractive for any team owner. Apart from that, he has the highest score of 84 in the shortest format of the game. Given the fact that some teams in the IPL lack formidable overseas players and wicketkeepers, Tim can be their best purchase at the auction.

Known for his dominating approach, Tim can open the inning for any team he represents. A good powerplay score will help the middle-order batsman as they can then take their time to settle down and play according to the condition. Probably the next big thing in New Zealand cricket, Tim’s wicketkeeping skills can also help teams like the Chennai Super Kings to undergo a smooth transition.

1. Dawid Malan

It is somehow shocking to realize that the number one T20 batsman does not own an IPL contract. Malan has been in the form of his life as he achieved the highest ever rating in the T20I format. The southpaw has been a consistent performer for Middlesex for over a decade and has received national honours for his consistency. A number one rank for a player who has played only 19 T20Is is astonishing. However, an average of 53.44 and a strike rate of 149.48 do justify his reputation as the best T20I batsman.

Malan received a T20I call-up for the national side in 2017 and he responded with an impressive 44 ball 78 on debut against South Africa. Later on, he established himself as a T20I specialist, and in the absence of senior players, he scored a 48 ball century against New Zealand at Napier. This was the fastest century scored by an English player in the format. His contributions were a significant factor in a 3-2 series win. Although his performances in the longer formats do not match his records in the shortest ones, he seems to be the next T20I specialist players.

Well, for teams undergoing a transition phase in the IPL, Malan might be the best option for them. His recent performances in the BBL have added to his value in the team of Hobart Hurricanes. With an excellent strike rate and average, Malan can play the role of a perfect number three batsman. For his form and performances, Malan makes it to the list of 5 players who might start a bidding war in the upcoming auction.