IPL 2021: Five Players Who Will Be Chased By Every Franchise In The Coming IPL Auctions
Published - 01 Jan 2021, 06:50 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:39 AM
As the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) looms large upon teams, the auction has once again gathered great importance. The IPL 2021 will be the last season of the ongoing three-year cycle. The BCCI and IPL governing council might postpone the major auction and stick to a mini one given the lack of time.
For eight IPL franchises, the retention and release of players will once again pose a major headache. All teams will look to plug holes in their squad, depending on the number of retentions allowed.
Five Players Who Will Be Chased By Every Franchise In The Coming IPL 2021 Auctions:
5. Rahul Tripathi
Over the years, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have focused a great deal on maintaining their core group of players. While that is a prudent exercise in team building, it may not be such great news for young Rahul Tripathi. It wouldn’t be about as much be about his performances. But the greater importance attached to the side’s other first-choice picks that may lead to his release.
Rahul scored at a fantastic tempo for KKR last year in UAE. The Maharashtra right-hand batsman struck 230 runs at a strike-rate of 127.07. Teams can show interest in Tripathi for exactly the reason KKR did, to gain momentum right at the beginning of their innings. He will be a good hunt for IPL 2021.
Maxwell is on the verge of being released by Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) after another lacklustre IPL 2021 season. Maxwell managed to score just 108 runs from his 13 innings, averaging only 15.42 and striking at just 101.88. His failures in the middle-order were one major reason why KXIP couldn’t make the play-offs again.
However, given Maxwell’s reputation as an explosive hitter of the cricket ball, teams are expected to show their trust on him at an IPL auction. Personally as well, Maxwell will have a point to prove in case he is released. Teams can look to take advantage of that.
Gowtham warmed the benches for most of the IPL 2020. But there is little doubt about the Karnataka spin all-rounder’s potential. He was picked by Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and was expected to play a crucial role in the side’s fortunes in UAE.
While that couldn’t be possible if released Gowtham can be a very handy buy for any other franchise looking to bolster their side with an accurate off-spinner. At his best, Gowtham can also regularly tonk the ball out of the park as a lower-order batsman. He will be a good hunt for IPL 2021.
By dropping him midway through the season and only playing him five games overall, KKR hinted that Kuldeep Yadav might not remain in their plans for too long. Yadav has performed poorly in the IPL on the bounce. KKR might not retain him in the future.
But being rare left-arm wrist-spinner, teams are expected to still show a lot of interest in Kuldeep if he is to be bid at the auction. Kuldeep will also be hoping to rejuvenate himself as a T20 bowler in the upcoming summer.
1. Prithvi Shaw
Opening batsman Shaw has been an integral part of the Delhi Capitals (DC) set-up for long now. But after a poor season in UAE last year, the otherwise first-choice batsman has certainly dropped down in the pecking order. DC has shown an inclination towards opening with Marcus Stoinis and this could leave Shaw vulnerably placed in the think-tank’s mind going forward.
A lot of franchises will run after Shaw if he works on his skill. If he regains form, Shaw can prove a vital cog in any team’s wheel. The youngster has always had a fantastic range as a batsman against both fast and spin bowling. He can receive multiple bids if not retained by DC. He will be a good hunt for IPL 2021.
