IPL 2021 Auction: Ashish Nehra Names Shakib Al Hasan To Be The Most Expensive Player In The Mini-Auction

Ashish Nehra believes that former Bangladesh captain and superstar all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan will be the most expensive buy of the IPL 2021 Auction. The auction for the 14th edition of the tournament is slated for Thursday in Chennai.

The former India pacer opines that while there are several big names who will be up for grabs – such as Glenn Maxwell, Chris Morris, and Steve Smith – however, according to Nehra it would be the Bangladeshi all-rounder who would fetch the maximum bid as he provides balance to any team with his binary skills.

“Again, one more IPL auction and plenty of big names, but one name, which according to me is right on top – can be the most expensive player of this IPL auction – is Bangladesh all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan (former captain). He can give balance to any IPL team in any T20,” the former pacer told Star Sports.

Shakib Al Hasan missed the IPL 2020 due to a one-year ban by the ICC

Shakib Al Hasan was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad before the IPL 2020 auction as he banned by the ICC for failing to report corrupt approaches. Al Hasan faced a one-year ban from cricket by the governing body and hence was not available for the IPL. Shakib was one of the economic buys in the auction three years ago as SRH roped him in for Rs. 2 crores in the mega-auction.

After winning two titles with the Kolkata Knight Riders – in 2012 and 2014 – Shakib played a couple of seasons with SRH; in the 20 games he was picked in by the Hyderabad-based franchise, the southpaw averaged 20 with the bat at a strike rate of 119 and picked 16 wickets at an economy of 8.12.

The 33-year-old, after his year-long ban, has returned to play international cricket recently in the home matches against West Indies. And he returned with a bang – picking up 4 wickets and bagging the Man of the Match award in his first game back for his country and then the Man of the Series award as well.

Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra reckons it will be Glenn Maxwell, once again, who would be the costliest buy in the mini-auction.

The Australian was released by Kings XI Punjab after a dismal season with the bat – he couldn’t hit even a single six – and also factoring in his price of 10.75 crores from the last auction.

“I feel that Glenn Maxwell, yes, Glenn Maxwell, once again, will be the most expensive buy in this mini-auction. It might be mini for a lot of people, but it will be max for Maxwell,” the former India opener said.

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