The IPL Auction 2021 will happen next month. According to reports, the auction could happen around February 11. The IPL Governing Council has asked the franchises to declare their retention lists by January 21. Since it is a mini-auction this year, the franchises are unlikely to make wholesale of changes. There will be only a few changes in the squads.
Some franchises require batsmen. On the other hand, some teams are in dire need of quality bowlers. As there will be only limited star players available in the auction, there will be high demand for top-quality overseas batsmen. This demand could result in an expensive IPL deal for foreign batsmen. Here are the five overseas batting stars who could earn big in IPL Mini Auction.
5. Alex Hales
Alex Hales was one of the top T20 batsmen in 2020. He has been quite successful in the game’s shortest format. Still, the IPL franchises have not shown much interest in his services. Hales played 37 T20 games in the previous year. He ended 2020 with 49 sixes, the third-highest for any batsman in the world.
Hales played T20 matches for Karachi Kings in the PSL. In the T20 Blast, Hales was a part of Nottinghamshire, while he played for Sydney Thunder in the BBL. Alex is an opening batsman who knows how to pace his innings. He scored over 1,000 T20 runs last year. On top of that, his strike rate in T20s last year was 152.32.
4. Lendl Simmons
Lendl Simmons is a top-order batsman from West Indies. There was a time when Simmons was a match-winner for the Mumbai Indians. He played many game-changing knocks for the Mumbai-based franchise. Also, he had done a great job for the West Indies in 2016 T20 World Cup. His knock helped West Indies qualify for the final.
In 2020, Simmons played T20 cricket for the Chattogram Challengers, Trinbago Knight Riders, and West Indies. In 18 matches, he aggregated 642 T20 runs. His highest score was 96, while his average was 45.85. Notably, he smashed 40 sixes. These numbers show he was in excellent touch during 2020 and could earn big in the auction.
3. Colin Munro
Colin Munro has been a part of multiple IPL franchises. However, his IPL career never took off. Munro can do well on flat tracks and grounds like Wankhede Stadium and M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. He is a left-handed batsman from New Zealand, who was in great form last year. Munro has excellent numbers in T20I cricket also. He scored 872 runs in 32 T20s in 2020.
Munro had turned up for Auckland, Islamabad United, Trinbago Knight Riders, New Zealand, and Perth Scorchers in T20s. He has a ton of experience under his belt. Since some teams need a reliable and experienced name in the batting order, Munro could get another IPL deal. The Kiwi would be keen to make the most out of the opportunity if he gets a contract. The chances he goes for a big price are high.
2. Avishka Fernando
Avishka Fernando is a rising star from Sri Lanka. In IPL 2020, the fans witnessed only Isuru Udana from Sri Lanka. Lasith Malinga had skipped the tournament for personal reasons. Hence, there was only one Sri Lankan player last year. Fernando could ensure the number is higher in 2021.
He has been in great touch. Also, the Sri Lankan conditions are almost similar as some Indian tracks. In LPL 2020, Fernando helped the Jaffna Stallions win the title. He scored 491 runs in 15 T20 innings last year. He hit 35 fours and 30 sixes, showing that he has got what it takes to succeed in the T20 format.
1. Dawid Malan
Many fans want Dawid Malan in the IPL soon. He is the world’s number one T20I batsman. Malan holds the record for the highest T20I rating in ICC Rankings history. He has helped England win crucial matches with his batting brilliance. Malan played 23 T20 innings in the year 2020.
He aggregated 685 runs at an average of 34.25. Although Dawid could not score a century, his highest score was 99*. Malan played for the Cumilla Warriors, England, Hobart Hurricanes, Islamabad United, and Yorkshire in 2020. He has never played in the IPL. However, many feel the Chennai Super Kings could sign him in IPL 2021 Auction because they need a player at the top after Shane Watson’s retirement.
