The Indian Premier League (IPL), has, over the seasons, been the ideal launching pad for some of the finest talents all across the world. From domestic stars such as Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya to international heroes like Sunil Narine and Shaun Marsh, a number of players have massively benefited from the platform that the IPL provided them with.
As many as 1097 players, including 207 capped players have registered themselves for the IPL auctions 2021 that will be held on February 18 in Chennai. Of them, 254 are foreign players, including 186 capped international stars. 68 uncapped internationals have registered themselves in the auctions as well, which will be a medium for the IPL teams to plug the gaps in their squad.
We look at five international players who could attract huge bids and earn themselves a IPL contract come February 18.
Ben Dwarshuis:
The left arm fast bowler from Australia has been a consistent performer in the shortest format of the game of late, and ended the recent Big Bash League as the second highest wicket taker, with 24 scalps in 13 games. The 26-year old Australian managed a bowling average of just under 17 with an economy rate of 8.85 this season in the domestic T20 league Down Under, with best figures of 4 for 13.
Dwarshuis was a member of the T20I team back in 2018 for the tri-series that featured New Zealand and England as well, but failed to get a debut. He has not been called up to the Australian squad since, but has been a consistent performer for the Sydney Sixers. He claimed 16 wickets in BBL 9, and took on the responsibility of bowling in the powerplay overs in the absence of experienced players.
A number of teams lack quality overseas fast bowling options, and Dwarshuis could be on the radar, especially for teams such as Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab.
IPL experience: Was in the KXIP squad in 2018 but did not play a game.
Tanveer Sangha
The 19-year old leg spinner emerged as the X-factor in this year’s Big Bash League. Sangha made his debut in T20s during the course of the edition, and ended as the leading wicket taker as a spinner, with 21 wickets in 15 games. Moreover, Sangha’s ability to mix up his deliveries in the middle overs earned great praise, as did his success on tracks that had hardly anything on offer for the slower bowlers.
Sangha could, thus, be mightily impactful in the IPL where the wickets will keep slower to suit his bowling style. In the 2021 auctions, the youngster from Australia could attract bids from teams such as Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, who struggled in this department last season.
IPL experience: Yet to make his debut
Also Read: IPL 2021: 5 Overseas players CSK can target in the auction
Kyle Jamieson:
The fast bowler from New Zealand had a fairytale Test debut against India last year after replacing Neil Wagner in the Kiwi squad, and his rise thereafter has been nothing short of a fairytale. In six Tests thus far, the 26-year old has picked up 36 Test scalps at a stunning average of 13.27. Although he has played only two ODIs and four T20 Internationals, Jamieson has managed to leave his stamp in the two formats as well, picking up a combined 6 wickets in white-ball cricket. However, what has been impressive has been his bowling economy rate of 6.20, especially considering the fact that he bowls the tough overs.
Overall. Jamieson has picked up 54 T20 wickets in 38 games, with best figures of 6 for 7 at a bowling strike rate of 15.4, He recently picked up 3 for 18 in the Super Smash for Auckland, and could be among the fray with teams like Mumbai Indians, who keep a rich stock of fast bowlers in the side in order to give their premier bowlers adequate rest through the tournament.
IPL experience: Yet to make his debut
Marnus Labuschagne:
The batsman has not been considered a T20 batsman due to his “technically sound” game that makes him more prone to success in Test cricket than in the white-ball game, but that has not stopped Labuschagne from showing his interest in playing for a team in the IPL. Ever since the batsman made his Test debut as a concussion sub for Steve Smith, he has shown unbelievable consistency, raking up 1885 runs at an average of 60.80 in 18 games. He was a constant thorn-in-the-flesh for the Indians in the recent Test series, and has also shown his skills in ODI cricket where he averages 39.41.
The batsman proved the critics, who questioned his ability to play T20 cricket, wrong in the recent Big Bash League, where he turned out to be a game changer for Brisbane Heat, helping them qualify for the playoffs. In just six games, Labuschagne scored 176 runs at an average of 29.33 and picked up 10 wickets with two three-wicket hauls. Teams such as Rajasthan Royals, who have let go of Steve Smith, might show interest.
IPL experience; Yet to make his debut
Jhye Richardson:
The 24-year old is expected to attract huge bids after finishing the recent Big Bash League as the highest wicket taker, with 29 wickets in 17 games at an average of 16.31 and an economy rate of just 7.69. The right arm fast bowler bagged two four-wicket hauls, and was brilliant with his lines and lengths throughout the season. His express pace and his consistency was remarkable in the BBL, and he could be a target for teams such as Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings, who are short on express fats bowling reserves.
IPL experience: Yet to make his debut
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