IPL Auction 2021: 5 Overseas Players who can start bidding war

After an unusual timing last year, this year’s IPL 2021 season will be back in the traditional window of the Indian summer. All the IPL franchises have announced their retained squads for this year’s season and must be among their preparations for the season. First stepping stone for that will be IPL Auction 2021 which is to be held in Chennai on 18^th February. In our build-up to this auction, we will take a look at some of the major overseas stars on offer that can attract a lot of bidding this year.

Alex Hales

This Englishman has played IPL cricket before with Sunrisers Hyderabad but failed to leave significant impact that time. Once again this year, he is in fray for the IPL auction. With the form he is coming in from the BBL, he is likely to get a reckoning from more than just one franchise. There are mainly three teams who are searching for attacking options at top of the order: Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore & Rajasthan Royals. And there are not many world-class options on offer at this mini-auction either. Apart from this, Alex Hales has no apparent weakness in his game and can also handle spin-bowling quite well. So, all of these factors will come in handy when Alex Hales goes under the hammer in this year’s IPL 2021 auction on 18th February.

Jhye Richardson

Overseas fast-bowlers have always been at center of attraction when it comes to IPL auctions. This year also, story is not likely to change as there are plenty of teams searching for fast-bowling talents. This is one skill-set which is not easily available in Indian domestic pool. One of the finest options available in this year’s auction is Australian Jhye Richardson. After missing most of his cricket due to injury in last couple of years, he is back to full fitness and bowling beautifully in the ongoing Big Bash League for Perth Scorchers. Mumbai Indians have cleaned up their fast-bowling cupboard almost completely in terms of overseas options apart from Trent Boult and looks likely that they will pour money on few of the overseas options. Kings XI Punjab also have plenty of purse remaining and likely to go all guns blazing for options like Jhye Richardson. He is the highest wicket-taker in BBL 2020-21 so far with 27 scalps to his name.

Mitchell Starc

One of the most impactful white-ball bowler in the world – Mitchell Starc has always remained elusive prospect at IPL. He has played a couple of seasons for RCB but apart from that, he has avoided the competition either due to injuries or busy schedule. There are talks about him being throwing his name for this year’s auction. If that happens, you can easily bet upon him being the most expensive player in the auction. Last year only, his fellow countrymen Pat Cummins defied all the odds and went for a whopping amount to Kolkata Knight Riders. And if this left-arm pacer puts his name in the roster, there is plenty of money to be spent for most of the franchises even though this is a mini-auction of sorts. Kings XI Punjab are prime contender for him as they have highest purse remaining for this particular IPL Auction 2021. 

Chris Morris

In a shocking move before the auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore released Chris Morris from their squad. This will create a bidding-war among franchises in all likelihood. This South African all-rounder can contribute in more than just one department in T20 cricket. Although he missed the first-half during last year’s competition but did perform brilliantly in the matches he played. He has enough experience up his sleeves playing IPL cricket for all these years and T20 leagues all across the globe. Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals are prime contenders to bid for this high-profile overseas name in the upcoming auction.

Kyle Jamieson

IPL franchises have been particularly kind to overseas players who perform against India in International cricket. And if that player happens to be of top drawer quality, then he is almost confirmed to be a million-dollar baby. Indian fans must be having memories of Kyle Jamieson when India toured New Zealand last summer. That lanky fast-bowler has grown in status significantly since then on International circuit. If anything, his batting has gone places to make him a multi-dimensional cricketer. He is likely to attract a lot of eye-balls come February 18^th in Chennai. Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings may consider him as a prime prospect for their squads this year.