IPL 2019: 3 Teams that would want to pick Mohammad Shahzad

Mohammad Shahzad is one excellent cricketer whose game perfectly suits the shorter formats and is at his best in the current scenario. A fierce and a clean hitter of the cricket ball, though unconventional he can tonk them a long way. He is not one of those fittest cricketers around but Shahzad has got his own ways of doing things. He just stands at the crease and delivers the ball way back into the stands with so much ease and grace.

He has been around for quite a while and has got loads of experience behind him. Furthermore, he can double up as a wicketkeeper and is bankable behind the stumps. But one thing that has eluded this respectable Afghan cricketer is an IPL contract. Even though his base price was only ₹50 lakhs in 2018, this dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman found no bidder and hence went unsold.

But, right ahead of the IPL 2019 auction, Shahzad has struck the right chord and made a case for himself. The aggressive opener helped his side, Rajputs chase a target of 95 in just four overs in the first match of the ongoing T10 League. He galloped his way to an unbeaten 74 off 16 balls. His innings included 8 sixes and he scored those runs at a staggering strike rate of 462. Some of the IPL franchise owners might keep a close eye on him and look to pick him in the upcoming auction next month.

Here are three IPL teams that could bid for Mohammad Shahzad:

1. Dehli Daredevils

After failing to clinch the title eleven times thus far, the Delhi Daredevils have to yet again rework a lot of their strategies. The team parted ways with some of its players from the last season to have more balance in the side. They acquired Shikhar Dhawan in the auction which could be a great buy for them. Although Prithvi Shaw is expected to open the innings with him, Shahzad can bat anywhere in the top order as well as in the middle to add firepower.

At the same time, he enjoys batting in the powerplay and can be given the licence to go after the bowlers without any intuitions. Shahzad can probably bat at number three with Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant to follow, it adds more balance to the middle-order, an area where the side faced troubles earlier. 

2. Kings XI Punjab

After having a dream start to the tournament in IPL 2018, things fell apart quickly for the Kings XI Punjab and they ended being the 7th team on the points table. There was too much of burden on KL Rahul in the line-up with the bat. Furthermore, he was entrusted with the duties behind the stumps as well.

With no keeper other than Rahul in the squad, KXIP might fancy adding Mohammad Shahzad into their squad. He can then open the innings with Chris Gayle and these two could go bonkers after the bowlers. Rahul at three strengthens the middle order as well. If the Gayle-Shahzad duo gets the side off to the good start, he can go aggressive right from ball one. If it goes otherwise, he can anchor the innings and play around the other batsmen.

3. Kolkata Knight Riders

One might argue that KKR has got some quality hitters in Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, Sunil Narine, Shubman Gill and others. But, they could rework their strategies slightly if they get Shahzad in. They have a pretty settled opening combination but need a player who can go bonkers in the lower-middle order.

Shubman Gill at four and Dinesh Karthik and Shahzad as the finisher might possibly help them extract better results. Also, Andre Russell being the injury-prone player that he is, can not be the fourth overseas option always which opens up an extra slot for Shahzad.

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