Aaron Finch who has played for eight IPL teams might play for a new team in the new season as Royal Challengers Bangalore has released him ahead of the IPL 2021 Auction. Aaron Finch who came to support the likes of Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers couldn’t perform to his potential and was dropped mid-way through the season.
Finch’s IPL returns are not that great but he is a great T20 player and keeps scoring runs at the international level which means he will always attract bidders in the Auction. There are a few teams who need an overseas opener. Some of them need a first-choice one while some need a back-up but in either case, Finch will be in demand. So, let’s have a look at the four teams who should target Aaron Finch in IPL 2021 Auction.
4. Kings XI Punjab
Kings XI Punjab might not need an opener but they need a middle-order batsman to replace Aaron Finch’s mate Glenn Maxwell in the team. Finch has been a part of the KXIP team and he did bat in the middle-order for them. He can come in and start smashing the spinner from ball one. Sometimes he struggles against swing and starting the innings against spin might not be a bad option.
Finch who captains the Australian white-ball sides and his BBL team Melbourne Renegades can help KL Rahul who is fairly new in this role. Finch is a senior player whose experience can come in handy in crucial games and so KXIP should target Aaron Finch in this year’s auction.
3. Kolkata Knight Riders
Kolkata Knight Riders haven’t released many players but they have releases Tom Banton who was their back-up opener in the squad. They have the likes of Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, and Nitish Rana who will open the innings for KKR but they would need a back-up option.
Aaron Finch won’t be a bad back-up option and in fact, he can even be the back-up guy for the middle-order in case anything happens to Eoin Morgan in the middle of the tournament. Bredon McCullum who is the coach of the KKR team likes explosive batsman and Aaron Finch is one of them. If KKR manages to buy Aaron Finch then it would be his ninth team in the IPL.
2. Chennai Super Kings
Shane Watson who was Chennai Super Kings’ opener in the last season announced his retirement from the IPL and so CSK needs to find a replacement for him. Aaron Finch just seems to be the perfect replacement for Shane Watson. He is an experienced player and is an opener.
Finch takes on the spinners which might not be a bad option at the Chepauk where the spinners can be threatening if they are allowed to settle. Aaron Finch hasn’t played for CSK before and looking at the trend of his new teams he might be going to CSK after this year’s auction.
1. Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals has released their captain and star batsman, Steve Smith, from their team and they need a like to like replacement for him. Aaron Finch might not be a like to like replacement but might be a better replacement. Finch is more suited to the shortest format than Smith and he might come at a cheaper price than their ex-captain.
Sanju Samson will be captaining the RR side for the first time and a senior player like Aaron Finch could be really helpful. RR has also traded Robin Utthapa which means they would need an opener and Finch can play that role. RR should look to buy the Australian white-ball captain in this year’s IPL Auction.
