IPL 2020: 5 in-demand international cricketers who opted for a cheaper base price

The Indian Premier League (IPL) over the years saw various hyped cricketers go down the drain. Franchises went all guns blazing to buy these players and as it turned out, they weren’t half as good enough for the side. The job of these coaches and mentors hasn’t been easy and the record proves that most of the big money signings have not proven themselves worthy of it.

As it turns out, the base price of the players doesn’t really matter with the eventual price at which he’s sold, especially when more than two clubs are interested in him. This edition too, we have seen some players choose for a relatively lesser base price but the demand for them is a lot bigger than what they assume for themselves.

Here are five players who have kept their base prices on the cheaper side, but are almost certain to receive a huge contract:

1. Alex Carey (INR 50 Lakh)

Alex Carey rose to limelight when he started asserting his dominance in the Australian domestic circuit, especially for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League. He smashed 443 runs in the 2017/18 edition and backed it up with another outstanding performance in the next season. The national call-up was inevitable and he made his mark soon enough.

In the 2019 World Cup, he rose to prominence as a dependable middle-order cricketer against the white ball, stepping up for the Aussies whenever it was required. He played a couple of brilliant knocks against South Africa and India in a losing cause and piled up a staggering 375 runs coming in at number 5 and 6.

Carey’s base price for this auction is INR 50 Lakh, which means he could go for a lesser price if not many teams are running for him. However, the likes of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab are in dire need of a player of his calibre and a bidding war should not surprise anyone.

2. Shimron Hetmyer (INR 50 Lakh)

Shimron Hetmyer was picked up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore last auction after all the brilliant work he did for the West Indies in the ODI series against India in 2018. He rose to prominence very quickly and as many had predicted, be induced a bidding war. The Caribbean southpaw, unfortunately, wasn’t up to the mark and RCB have released him from their squad.

However, Hetmyer’s base price is just INR 50 Lakh and having seen him play an innings of a lifetime in Chennai in the 1st ODI this Sunday, teams’ perception could change. He batted marvellously on a track that wasn’t completely flat and had a hint of slowness to it. This is exactly the ability teams look for in foreigners and if he has learned how to do it, get ready for another bidding war.

If the Royal Challengers want him back in the side, they might have to pay a significant amount, perhaps more than what they released him for. This could be a great chance for the likes of Kolkata Knight Riders or Rajasthan Royals to get him in their ranks as he fits some of their plans perfectly.

3. David Miller (INR 75 Lakh)

David Miller has represented only the Kings XI Punjab all his career. He scored 1,850 runs at an average just over 34, but just like his international career, Miller’s story isn’t wisely communicated with his stats. Although the numbers could seem very attractive, he hasn’t stood up for the side when it mattered the most.

Besides 2013, 2014 and 2015 season, where he scored 350+ runs each time, Punjab have not found any major contribution coming from the southpaw later on. His strike-rate too has come down drastically over the period of time, from ranging over 145 in his early days to averaging less than 115 in the last three seasons.

Miller still has the ability to launch some big missiles at regular intervals and his experience of playing in Indian conditions could come in handy. He’s one of the best players available in this season’s auction in terms of experience and ability to strike it big and maybe he just needs a chance to recapture his great hitting skills.

4. Shai Hope (INR 50 Lakh)

One of the most highly-rated young cricketers around the world, Shai Hope has it in him to make it huge in international cricket. Time and again, he has shown his maturity to play out some difficult overs and just the way most Caribbean cricketers show up, he knows how to smack the ball a long distance.

Again in the game against India, when Shimron Hetmyer was smacking the ball to all parts, he knew how to assist him and that is one great ability he’s blessed with. Just for the maturity factor, he’s worth going for a contract in excess of a million dollars. He too is familiar to slow and dry conditions and has excelled in this part of the world.

The only factor against him is he never played T20 cricket in Leagues outside West Indies. He represents the Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League and has played relatively lesser T20 games than what most of his countrymen do by the age of 26. His base price is INR 50 Lakh and it’ll come in as a huge surprise if he doesn’t get sold.

5. Sheldon Cottrell (INR 50 Lakh)

Agile, energetic, exuberant and a cricketer who puts in a tremendous amount of workload – Sheldon Cottrell has already grabbed the attention of many franchises in the IPL. The left-arm pacer is one of the finest talents existing in the Caribbean circuit right now and the energy he brings to the side is contagious.

A little similar to Shai Hope, Sheldon Cottrell doesn’t have great prior experience of playing in the shortest format elsewhere. He represented the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Antigua Hawksbills in the Caribbean Premier League and is one of the best bowlers Jamaica produced in recent years.

Cottrell attacks right from the outset is not scared of giving away some runs to get wickets. That attitude is very much needed on Indian conditions, as most bowlers tend to change their plans once they go for a big over. He is in a perfect state of mind for a challenge as big as this and there’s no way he is getting a contract for just INR 50 lakh.