With eye on IPL auction today, Moeen Ali played like a T20 batsman in 2nd Test
Uncapped Azharuddeen and Shahrukh up for grabs
As the second Test between India and England was over as a contest by lunch on day four, England allrounder Moeen Ali used the opportunity to send out a strong message. Moeen smoked a few lusty blows and smashed India’s Axar Patel for a hat-trick of sixes before England were bowled out. A left-handed batsman who also bowls off-spin, Moeen is one of the overseas players to watch out for in Thursday’s ‘mini’ IPL auction where franchises will be looking to pick up a few pieces to solve the jigsaw puzzle ahead of season 14.
After picking eight wickets on a turning Chepauk track, Moeen, who was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore, couldn’t have chosen a better place to showcase his big-hitting skills. Chennai Super Kings are looking for a foreign player and also an off-spinner to replace Harbhajan Singh and Australia’s Shane Watson. Moeen fits the bill.
CSK would also be weighing other options such as the reliable Steve Smith (released by Rajasthan Royals), the swashbuckling Glenn Maxwell (released by Punjab) and No.1 T20 batsman Dawid Malan (who
played for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big
Bash League).
CSK CEO K.S. Viswanathan said their requirement is a foreign batsman. CSK have `19.9 crore to spend for six slots, including an overseas player. “There are a few choices available in the pool. It can even be a rookie,” he said, keeping his cards close to his chest.
After the Covid-19 lockdown forced the 2020 IPL to go overseas, the next edition is expected to be back in India. A state, most likely Maharashtra, with multiple venues will be chosen to host the cashrich league.
“If it’s going to be in India, pitches are likely to assist the spinners. Our core team which remains intact was built looking at our home venue. So, it (venue) plays a key role in the auction dynamics,” said Viswanathan.
After removing ‘XI’ from their name, the rebranded Punjab Kings will splurge at the auction table on Wednesday. They have the highest remaining purse at `53.2 crore. They have nine slots to fill and five of them are for foreigners. Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore have `37.85 crore and `35.40 crore in their pockets to pick nine and 11 players, respectively. Having released an array of fast bowlers — Lasith Malinga, Mitch McClenaghan, James Pattinson, Nathan Coulter-Nile — Mumbai Indians’ primary target would be getting a couple of seamers.
As Delhi Capitals’ assistant coach Mohammed Kaif pointed out, flexibility is the key in any auction. “One can have all the plans, but things can change on the auction table. We have to make spontaneous decisions. Our main players have been playing continuously and there are no fitness issues as well. So, we’ll be looking to acquire some back-up players,” said
Kaif. Australia’s limitedovers skipper Aaron Finch, explosive England opener Jason Roy, the bighitting Evin Lewis and Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan are some of the other prominent foreign players in the fray.
It will be interesting to see if Harbhajan, Kedar Jadhav, Piyush Chawla (all released by CSK), Hanuma Vihari and Cheteshwar Pujara find takers.
Among the uncapped Indians, Kerala’s Mohammed Azharuddeen, Tamil Nadu’s Shahrukh Khan and Baroda’s Lukman Meriwala fancy their chances. Azharuddeen became a sensation when he scored a 37-ball hundred in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, while Shahrukh impressed with his finishing skills while inspiring Tamil Nadu to the domestic T20 title. Left-arm pacer Meriwala with 15 wickets in eight matches impressed the IPL scouts during the Syed Mushtaq Ali.
All eyes will be on Sachin Tendulkar’s son, Arjun, who has listed himself as an allrounder with a base price of `20 lakh. Arjun warmed up for the auction with an allround show in a local tournament in Mumbai recently. Mumbai Indians are expected to pick the youngster.