IPL TOP 20 HOT PICKS

With the auction for the 11th edition set to take place on January 27-28, HT takes a look at the top 10 Indian and foreign players who can attract a hefty price going under the hammer.

INDIAN PLAYERS R ASHWIN

The off-spinner has slipped in the pecking order for India, but experience and variety in his bowling should see him attract a hefty price. Ashwin skipped the 2017 IPL due to injury but will a top name this time.

KL RAHUL

The opener has a strike rate of 147.74 in T20s and also bats in the middle-order. He scored 154 runs in the home T20 series against Sri Lanka with two fifties. A shoulder injury kept him out of 2017 IPL, but he will be in demand.

KARUN NAIR

Yet to play a T20 for India, the attacking batsman hit a ton in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament. He was not retained by Delhi Daredevils but teams should still be interested in buying the Karnataka player.

KULDEEP YADAV

Though KKR didn’t retain the Chinaman bowler, he can rest assured his wicket-taking qualities will attract a lucrative deal. KKR using Right-to-Match option is an option. He took six wickets in the T20s vs Sri Lanka.

JAYDEV UNADKAT

The left-arm pacer was a prime factor helping Rising Pune Supergiant reach the final last year. He ended at No.2 in the list of the highest wicket-takers and had 24 scalps to his name — two less than Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

AJINKYA RAHANE

Rahane’s ability to switch to a power-hitter and play the anchoring role makes him the perfect player to have in one’s squad. Also, his leadership skills, teams can opt to fall back on the 29-year-old to provide stability.

SHIKHAR DHAWAN

On his day, the southpaw can dominate opposition at will and help his side chase down tall totals owing to his ability to create a blitz with the bat. He’s in great form and had a good Test and ODI series against Sri Lanka.

YUZVENDRA CHAHAL

Chahal was a name almost everyone thought Royal Challengers Bangalore would want to retain this season. It will be seen if RCB opt to use their RTM card to retain him as he will certainly not be available for a cheap deal.

DINESH KARTHIK

The stumper was recalled to the national side after three years. He was part of the Gujarat Lions last season and scored 361 runs in 13 innings. Being a wicket-keeper batsman Karthik fits the T20 bill perfectly.

WASHINGTON SUNDAR

Yet another player from the RPS camp, Sundar’s continued excellence in the domestic circuit helped him earn the national T20 and ODI caps within a span of just 12 days. Sundar’s bowling credentials make him an effective buy.

FOREIGN PLAYERS CHRIS GAYLE

The ‘Universe Boss’ is perhaps the only player for whom the franchises won’t go checking for his recent form. With a strike rate of 145.11 in T20Is, Gayle is one of the most lethal openers a team can hope to have in their side.

CHRIS LYNN

Lynn was highly impressive for KKR last year before a shoulder injury benched him. Lynn’s played four games in the Big Bash League this season and notched up 127 runs in four matches at a staggering strike rate of 162.82.

COLIN MUNRO

He recently slammed a century vs Windies in the third T20, besides scoring half-centuries in the other two T20Is. KKR might rue their luck for releasing him and they can’t even use the RTM as they’ve already retained 2 foreign players.

RASHID KHAN

Afghan leg-spinner currently holds the No 3 rank behind Ish Sodhi and Imad Wasim. Khan ended the last season with 17 wickets. Also the second-highest wicket taker in BBL and might go for a hefty fee in the auction.

BEN STOKES

The controversial Englishman can be a good buy for any side owing to his all-round skills. Stokes is a handy batsman lower down the order and a perfect first change bowler. He was chosen the Most Valuable Player last season.

GLENN MAXWELL

While he finished on top of the list of run-getters in the Sheffield Shield with 590 runs, including a 278, he’s on song in BBL. Maxwell has already scored 186 runs, including two half-centuries and a strike rate that reads 145.31.

KANE WILLIAMSON

The Kiwi had played seven matches for SRH and scored 256 runs. Although he has been released, given his form and batting credentials, there are high chances that SRH will buy him back using the RTM card.

MITCHELL STARC

The Australian quick has not played IPL in the last two seasons, but with his searing pace, accuracy and ability to make early strikes, Starc remains a hot property in T20 cricket. Starc averages 18.86 in T20Is.

PAT CUMMINS

The Aussie attained his peak after a successful Ashes campaign, a series in which he played in all five Tests. He finished as the highest-wicket taker with 23 scalps in the Ashes and scored 166 runs to cap his all-round effort.

CAMERON WHITE

He featured in just two games of the Sheffield Shield earlier this year and went on to score 167 runs in three innings. He sits second on the Big Bash list of highest run-getters with 285 runs playing for Melbourne.