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Cricket PlayersHussey, Bailey, Pujara: Top batsmen to look out for in IPL auction
A total of 351 cricketers will go under the hammer in the 2016 Indian Premier League (IPL) players’ auction that is scheduled to take place on Saturday in Bengaluru.
A total of 351 cricketers will go under the hammer in the 2016 Indian Premier League (IPL) players’ auction that is scheduled to take place on February 6 in Bengaluru.
There are 230 Indians and 121 overseas players for the franchises to choose from. The auction will also be the first for the two new teams -- Rising Pune Supergiants and the Gujarat Lions.
Here’s our list of the top batsmen, international and Indian, who will go under the hammer:
Top overseas batsmen
Michael Hussey
Base price: Rs 2,00,00,000
Past Teams: Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings
Past IPL performance: Matches - 59, Runs - 1977, Average - 38.76, Strike rate - 122.64
The veteran Australian has been an asset for Chennai Super Kings over the years and excelling at any position is his USP. While he is no longer active on the international front, his recent Big Bash exploits would have certainly caught the attention of at least one of the franchises. Hussey will surely be a value addition to any franchise.
Usman Khawaja
Base Price: Rs 1,50,00,000
Past Teams: NA
Past performance: NA
The Aussie southpaw is in red hot form and has become a sensation Down Under. Though he has never played in the IPL before, his cracking form in the Big Bash, where he averaged a mighty 172, shows how destructive he can be in the T20 format. It won’t be surprising if Khawaja gets a high bid at the auction.
Rilee Rossouw
Base Price: Rs 1,00,00,000
Past Teams: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Past IPL performance: Matches - 5, Runs - 53, Average - 10.60, Strike rate - 103.92
The South African left-hander is just five matches old and didn’t have an impressive show last year for RCB. But playing in a line-up having heavy depth in batting, Rossouw could not play a big part. If any team picks him in the auction, it will be for his strike rate and his fielding.
George Bailey
Base Price: Rs 1,00,00,000
Past Teams: Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab
Past Performance: Matches - 34, Runs - 550, Average - 17.02, Strike rate - 135.78
Bailey was skipper of Kings XI Punjab last season. He is a cool customer on the field. Although he averages poorly in the IPL his strike rate makes him a worthy contender. Plus his recent performance in the big bash and the ODI series against India will definitely give him a chance to sell big in the auction.
Travis Head
Base Price: Rs 30,00,000
Past teams: Delhi Daredevils
Past IPL Performance: Nil
The Australian youngster played a 26-run knock down the order against India at MCG in the second T20I. On top of that, he has an unbeaten century in the Big Bash against Sydney Sixers at Adelaide. Head could definitely turn a lot of heads.
Dean Elgar
Base Price: Rs 30,00,000
Past Teams: NA
Past IPL Performance: NA
Although Elgar has only played Test cricket in the last few months, his batting combined with his left-arm spin could attract buyers. His T20 average is 38.20. Elgar is decently priced and could be good value for money.
Top Indian batsmen
Cheteshwar Pujara
Base Price: Rs 50,00,000
Past Teams: Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab
Past Performance: Matches - 30, Runs - 390, Average - 20.52, Strike rate - 99.74
The Saurashtra batsman is definitely among the top Indian players. Pujara has struggled in the shorter format but he has been working on his batting off late and his performances in both the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali tournaments showed he can fit into the role.
Abhinav Mukund
Base Price: Rs 30,00,000
Past Teams: Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Past IPL Performance: Matches - 3, Runs - 19, Average - 9.50, Strike rate - 83.36
Don’t look at the stats as three matches are too less to judge a player. Mukund has been in form recently in the domestic circuit. He scored an unbeaten ton in Vijay Hazare and scored couple of fifties in the T20 tournament for Tamil Nadu.
Mithun Manhas
Base Price: Rs 30,00,000
Past Teams: Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors, Chennai Super Kings
Past IPL Performanace: Matches - 55, Runs - 514, Average - 22.34, Strike rate - 109.36
Manhas has been a prolific run-getter for Delhi on the domestic circuit. His experience as a utility cricketer has enabled him to play in the best sides in the IPL. Although he bats lower down the order, he is capable of going after any attack.
Karun Nair
Base Price: Rs 10,00,000
Past Teams: Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Past IPL Performance: Matches - 27, Runs - 520, Average - 22.60, Strike rate - 133.67
The Karnataka batsman had played a match wining innings last edition aginst Delhi Daredevils. It is his ability to play strokes that makes him a good buy at the auction. His strike rate is in the high 130s.
Prashant Gupta
Base Price: Rs 10,00,000
Past Teams: NA
Past IPL Performance: NA
The UP batsman has scored 317 runs in 9 Syed Mushtaq Ali games at an average of a shade under 40. His strike rate was 118.7 and has consistently scored for UP this season. Gupta could be a utility buy at a reasonable price.
