IPL 2020 Auction: 5 big players who might go unsold

It is that time of the year when all the owners of the franchises or teams and the think-tank invested in building the team for the upcoming season prepare themselves vociferously for the IPL auction. The auction for the thirteenth season of the blockbuster T20 league is all set to take place on the 19th of December. A total of 997 players put up their hands for the bidding war which has now been slashed to 332 players.

Similar to all IPL auctions, some of the biggest names in international cricket have registered themselves this time to go under the hammer. And much to the utmost surprise, few of those names may well pass by unsold. The giants could miss out due to their base price having set on the higher side or their track record in the past seasons not spelling out as a compelling one.

Since most of the franchises only have limited slots to fill along with a limited purse, it seems unlikely that they will go out of the way to fight for these athletes. Moreover, the amount set by them may also be inversely proportionate with their current form. They will instead try to go for players with reasonable base prices to occupy the spots.

Here are the five prominent names who might go unsold in the upcoming IPL 2020 Auction:

David Miller

David Miller stayed with Kings XI Punjab for eight seasons since making his debut in the year 2012. In the following year till the 2015 season, the southpaw consistently mustered more than 350 runs at a strike rate of an excess of 150. However, since then, Miller’s performances have gone drastically down.

Once a regular member of the playing eleven, Miller has found himself in and out of the side over the last couple of seasons or so. The South African himself expressed his wish to be released ahead of the upcoming season. Even against his desire, it was likely that he would have been released, given his woeful display.

Considering his sequence of lean performances over the past few seasons, franchises are unlikely to go after Miller. They can opt for a more competent option with a good track record even if it means to spend a marginally higher amount.

Colin de Grandhomme

Colin de Grandhomme is one of the most exciting all-rounders not only in limited-overs cricket but also in Tests. The Zimbabwe-born made his debut built on the reputation as a heavy hitter and gradually soared above as a handy medium pace bowler.

De Grandhomme was roped in as a replacement for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017 for Andre Russell by Kolkata Knight Riders. However, he couldn’t make an impression, having scored only 126 runs and picking up four wickets. In the following season, Royal Challengers Bangalore purchased him for a hefty amount of INR 2.2 crores.

Yet again, the 33-year old fell flat. His strike rate was a mind-boggling 155.95; however, he could manage only 131 runs in nine outings along with two wickets. The Kiwi all-rounder was one of the many foreign recruits who faced an axe from the franchise for his consistent low returns in the second consecutive year.

Colin de Grandhomme may be one of the frequently picked players for his national side; it is not in the case of IPL. With plenty of all-rounders available in the auction for the auction, the veteran may miss out.

Tim Southee

Tim Southee is one of the best new-ball bowlers for New Zealand, having partnered with Trent Boult to spread menace among all the teams. However, the speedster has proved as a liability when it comes to franchise cricket, especially in the Indian Premier League in the death overs.

Having played for four franchises across seven seasons, Southee has not been able to fix his place in any of the sides. His best season was in 2016 for Mumbai Indians when he played 11 games but ended up with only nine wickets at an average of 36.56. Featuring for Royal Challengers Bangalore the previous time, the 31-year old faced a torrid time, taking a solitary wicket in nine games at an average of 118.

As a result, the Kiwi pacer was discarded from their squad. With such an abysmal record in the Indian Premier League, Southee will most likely go unsaleable during the auction.

Chris Woakes

Kolkata Knight Riders purchased Chris Woakes for an amount of INR 4.2 crores ahead of the tenth season of the T20 carnival. The English seamer justified the mighty sum by finishing with 17 scalps in only 13 games at a decent average of 22.71.

Owing to his display for Kolkata, Woakes pocketed a whopping INR 7.40 crores from Royal Challengers Bangalore. The 30-year old didn’t disappoint; however, for an amount of 7.40 crores, he managed only eight scalps from five games. Furthermore, Woakes departed midway through the tournament due to international commitments.

He also went unsold in the previous IPL auction. He may yet again receive a pass, mainly because of his base price, which is INR 1.5 crores. Woakes’ performance hasn’t been compelling enough over two seasons to have a base price that high.

Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur Rahman emerged in 2015 as one of the rare best pace bowlers in Bangladesh’s ranks. The left-arm seamer, with his pace variations, especially in the death overs, outfoxed some of the best batsmen in his very early days. Post the year of his debut, Sunrisers Hyderabad sealed his deal for an amount of INR 1.4 crores.

Mustafizur was one of the key members of the Sunrisers’ squad who went on to lift the title in the year 2016. The 24-year old claimed 17 wickets from 16 games at a sensational economy rate of 6.91. Nevertheless, frequently staying on the sidelines because of injuries in recent times have dented his ability to maintain the same level of quality performances.

Based on his heroics in 2016, Mumbai Indians entered in the fray to purchase him for INR 2.2 crores. Sadly, he couldn’t replicate the display of his inaugural season as he managed only seven wickets in as many matches. Having remained inconsistent along with a fragile body, franchises may not take the risk of splurging a substantial amount on him.

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