IPL 2021 Auction: 3 Big Stars Who Might Go Unsold

It is that time of the year again where fans, as well as pundits of the game, scratch their heads and debate about which players that their favorite IPL teams should opt for ahead of the auctions.

Yes, we are just a few days away from the much-talked-about IPL auctions. This time the auctions will take place on February 18 in Chennai. Franchises have already released their player’s retention list ahead of the auctions which included a plethora of high-profile names, making the upcoming mini-auction a mouth-watering affair.

Like every auction, there is every chance of several marquee cricketers going unsold, come February 18.

Here’s a look at three stars who might go unsold in IPL 2021 auction:

 

Steve Smith

One of the biggest talking points after the players’ retention list was released by each of the eight franchises was Steve Smith getting snubbed by Rajasthan Royals.

But to be honest, those who watched Smith bat in IPL 2020, it wouldn’t have come as a surprise to them. The former Australian skipper kickstarted his 2020 campaign with a bang as he smoked back-to-back whirlwind half-centuries.

However, just like his team, Steve Smith’s fortunes went south quite dramatically. The champion Test cricket did not look in his elements as he tried to manufacture a style of batsmanship that doesn’t come naturally to him.

Overall, Smith managed just 311 games in 14 outings at an average of 25.91 and a strike-rate of 131.22. Smith does not brings anything new to the table as far as his T20 batting is concerned and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he goes unsold in the IPL 2021 auction.

 

James Neesham

Another cricketer who underwhelmed in the 2020 IPL and could go unsold in the upcoming auction is New Zealand’s James Neesham.

Neesham, who has always come up with his ‘A’ game on Twitter, was not able to replicate the same during his stint with KXIP during the last season.

In 5 games, he managed just 19 runs and claimed two wickets at an average of 74 and an economy rate of 9.86. And. with teams’ already have enough options which are seemingly better than the Kiwi all-rounder, it could well be a case if he fails to attract any bid in the upcoming auctions.

 

Kedar Jadhav

Chennai Super Kings endured a horrendous 2020 IPL campaign and at the heart of it was the lack of intent that they displayed in their batting.

And, among several batsmen who struggled to find any sort of momentum in their batting was Kedar Jadhav.

Barring his match-winning knock in the opening game of the 2018 season, Kedar Jadhav has been a disappointment in the IPL in the past three years. And, his performances reached its nadir last season.

In 8 games, Kedar Jadhav managed just 62 runs at an average of 20.66 and a strike-rate of 93.93 before being eventually dropped from the playing 11.

Jadhav has been released by CSK ahead of the 2021 auction. And, with him on the wrong side of 30, the chances of him going unsold are pretty high.

Also Read: 5 Stars From The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Who Can Wreck Havoc In IPL 2021 Auction