The IPL 2020 auction is around the corner. Though it’s not a full-throttle – two days & all players – auction, it still has the number of valuable players who can win matches on their own. Barring a couple of teams, all other teams have big bucks in their wallets. Especially, RCB and KXIP, who are looking to revamp their teams. There’s hardly a doubt that they’ll go all-out to grab these valuable players. Let us look at the top five international picks that will be a hot property in #IPL2020 auction.
Pat Cummins – Cummo
When he made a debut – at the age of 18 – a very few had a doubt that he’s the one for the future, to lead the Australian pace attack. And he has proven everyone right. The paceman is in the form of his life, taking the wickets at will. He tops the 2019 chart of bowlers with 54 wickets in the longest format. He is a regular pick for Australia’s white-ball squads. Additionally, he can play a shot or two as a lower order bat. Overall, he is a pace attack leader with the potential to play a cameo. One of the only six in the highest base price, teams are sure to shell out at least INR 5 Crores.
Chris Lynn
The hard-hitter batsman has experience of playing every T20 league in the world. He’s a leader for the Brisbane Heat in the BBL T20 league. The power in his shots means, he can clear any cricket ground in the world. Recently, he showed a tremendous form in the T10 league in UAE. The T10 experience is going to help him enhance his T20 game as well. However, the major concern with Lynn is the shoulder injury, that has obstructed his international career for Australia. However, he can make a huge difference in as many games as he plays. So, franchises are guaranteed to spend big bucks on this Queenslander.
Glenn Maxwell – Maxi
Without a doubt, Maxi is one of the hugely talented T20 specialists in the world. He can play shots all around the ground. In fact, there is hardly a player in the world who can play reverse shots as good as Maxwell. On his day, he can single-handedly convert the games in the blink of an eye. If not more, he would win at least them 3-4 matches for any franchise. His off-spin is a good value add on the sub-continent pitches – especially the slow surfaces of Delhi and Kolkata. Though he battled with mental issues recently, he’s expected to be fit by the time IPL starts next year. He is sure to trigger a bidding war between the franchise in the upcoming #IPL2020 auction.
Chris Morris
The lanky South African is one of the best T20 all-rounders across the world. The pick of the T20 death bowlers, he can hit the ball long way as well. To add the third dimension, he’s an agile athlete in the field as well. Like Lynn – his namesake – even this Chris has the experience of playing most of the T20 leagues of the world but one. He is one of the first picks for the South African national team in the format. Many eyebrows were raised when Delhi Capitals released him last year. Though he is expected to trigger a bidding war, do not surprise if Delhi retains him with the “Right to Match” card.
Shimron Hetmyer
A skipper of the under-19 world cup winning West Indies team, the Guyanese is from the same league of the Caribbean, who hit the ball hard. He has more time to play, which allows him to play the ball late and find the gaps at perfection. Though his IPL career didn’t pick up in the style last season, he has gained a good form recently. Chasing 288 against India at Chennai, he took the game away from the opposition with blistering 139 off just 106 balls, a couple of days ago. This inning will have a huge bearing on the IPL franchises in the auction room. With his experience and consistency, he is likely to attract big money this #IPL2020 auction.
#IPL2020 Auction Dark Horse: Alex Carey
Australia’s white-ball regular and their deputy skipper, Alex Carey is a dark horse in the international picks of IPL202 auction. In his short career, Southpaw has already played some match-winning innings for Australia and Redbacks. With his unmatching batting talent and eye-catching wicket-keeping, Kangaroos are already looking him as a future skipper for the national team. With all-round talent, he’s a very attractive buy – from the current season and future perspective – for all the teams. DC has already made its intentions clear through their Twitter handle. Any team can be built around him, who’s sure to lead an IPL team in the future. Don’t pop your eyeballs if one of the teams shell out big bucks for him.
So, who are your top five picks of #IPL2020 auction? Do share in the comment.