On November 15, we got a hang of all the activities done in the Indian Premier League trade window. Several big players were released owing to form and other reasons. Many fringe players and under performers were shown the door. A few names were exchanged as the core of each team was kept intact.
Now with the important part done, we head into another crucial day on December 18. That is quite the most important day for franchises and players alike. Teams will be looking to have a sound auction in Jaipur and get the missing chinks in their armour.
Will the auction be a smart one? It remains to be seen.
To be honest, everything is not lost for players who were released. Some of them can still be in the reckoning this time. But the focus will be on several emerging and star names in the cricket fraternity.
We could see some players make their debut in the IPL as well and mega deals could be on the way. So the auction promises action aplenty.
Here we pick 5 players that could fetch the big bucks in the IPL 2019 auction.
Shimron Hetmyer
One of the main positives for West Indian cricket is the presence of Shimron Hetmyer. The youngster is quite the deal in the early stages of his career. He has shown that he could be the next big thing of world cricket in the years to come.
Hetmyer set the CPL 2018 alive after finishing as the third highest run-scorer in the global T20 League. Playing for Guyana Amazon Warriors, the middle order batsman amassed 440 runs, that included a century and two fifties.
Hetmyer also showed his prowess last month in the first two ODIs against India, slamming 106 and 94. The in-form player could solve middle order blemishes for many teams. He won many supporters in the ODIs against India and franchises know the special talent he is.
His big-hitting skills would benefit any IPL franchise and keep the momentum going in the middle overs. Hetmyer could go on to rake in the moolah and set the stage on fire in the IPL auction.
Adam Zampa
Adam Zampa played in two seasons in the IPL for the Rising Pune Supergiant. He was overlooked in the 2018 auction. But the Aussie spinner could make a return to the cash-rich league with a bang. The two performances in the recently concluded T20I series against India was terrific for Zampa.
He broke into the top 5 rankings in T20Is and the Aussie was a revelation in those middle overs against India. Zampa mixed pace and variations brilliantly to not only put breaks on the scoring but also pick up the crucial wickets of Indian captain Virat Kohli and dangerous KL Rahul to finish with 2/22 in four overs in their win in the first T20I.
He was superb in the 3rd T20I as well and what was striking was he pitched the wet ball in perfect spots. Â Zampa has 19 wickets in 11 matches in the IPL with best figures of 6/19.
Zampa could add quality to any side and provide the depth in spin.
Mohammad Shahzad
Afghanistan opening batsman Mohammad Shahzad is a sheer delight to watch. The aggressive batsman has managed to hit the right chords this year and has grown in status. Shahzad could see himself join a pool of Afghanistan players in the IPL.
The wicket-keeper batsman won hearts of fans when he smashed a 116-ball 124 against India in the Asia Cup 2018. The Afghans went on to seal a tie and Shahzad’s innings orchestrated a stunning show in Dubai. The pocket-sized dynamite can explode from the word go.
Shahzad thrives on hand-eye coordination and delivers from the crease at ease. From going aerial to picking out gaps, he is quite the run-machine.Recently, the explosive batsman hit a 16-ball 74* in the ongoing T10 League for his side Rajputs.
This experienced guy can bat and see his team off to a flier in a short span of time.
Adil Rashid
England international Adil Rashid was one of the surprise exclusions in 2018 auction. The leg-spinner has gone on to do everything right this year and could see his hard work pay-off. Quality spinners often win you T20 matches, and Rashid bears the quality.
2018 has been magnificent for Rashid. He has been a regular for England across formats and his wickets column see a stunning rise. With 12 T20I wickets this year, Rashid has been England’s leader. The Englishman also bagged 42 ODI wickets and has been his side’s best bowler.
In Test matches as well, Rashid has picked 22 scalps in 2018. That’s 76 wickets in a calendar year with one month left. Rashid’s experience means he can light up the show for any franchise. The in-form bowler has been consistent throughout and his mastery could help him get things going on Indian pitches.
Jaydev Unadkat
The left-arm pacer showed his true potential and prowess in 2017 when he was stupendous for Rising Pune Supergiants. He had picked 24 wickets that season for the finalists.
The performance had helped Jaydev to be the big name in the 2018 auction and he garnered the most bucks by any bowler to be the costliest Indian player. But he was a let down after being bought by Rajasthan Royals at 11.5 crores.
And a costly economy-rate (9.65), besides just 11 wickets saw him being released by RR after just one season. But Unadkat is one of the big names among Indian players available in the auction. Jaydev could have another big season in terms of being a box-office hit in the auction.
Some teams are looking to get in quality bowlers and Unadkat will be raring to have a crack. The trend shows Indians are always in demand. He might not get the amount in the same region like last season, but he could still end up earning reasonably well.
The left-arm pacer picked 16 wickets in 8 matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018-19, and teams will be looking at these statistics.