10 Cricketers who could be the costliest if mega auction happens before IPL 2021

After the end of the successful 13th IPL amidst the Covid-chaos, fans and experts are looking forward to another cricketing carnival in the upcoming year. As the 14th edition of the T20 extravaganza is all set to hit the floors, talks and discussions are the need of the hour for every franchise prior to the auction. If speculations are to be believed, then BCCI is mulling to add one more team in the swanky pool of 8 current teams. Although no formal notification has been issued by the cricketing body as of now, if the decision is put into place, then the 14th edition will fancy mega auction. Interestingly, the high-profile reshuffling of the teams last happened in 2018. Much to the fans’ excitement, the game of retention, drop along with Right to Match will set the tempo before the tournament gets underway. On that note, this article attempts to focus on the top 10 heavyweight players whose name can echo loudly within the closed room of the marquee event. Will it be the budding talent Ishan Kishan or will the experienced Suresh Raina bag the heavy bids to their name? Notably, there are 8 more players who can rule the roost in the Mega auction day. With an intent to go extra-strong in the next IPL, every team will cherish to boast lethal match-winners in their camp. So, without any further ado, let’s get started (All amounts considered in INR): 10. Shakib Al Hasan (5 crore-7 crore) Shakib Al Hasan. (Photo Source: Twitter) The Bangladesh cricketer has always been a force to reckon with. Eventually, the wily batting all-rounder emerged into the IPL in 2011. Plying his trade for Kolkata Knight Riders from 2011 to 2017, he remained the shining light in the middle-order with the bat and spearheaded the spinning unit consistently. Amassing 227 runs and scalping 11 wickets in 2014, Shakib played a crucial role in the KKR’s journey to their second trophy. Overall, he has garnered 746 runs at an astounding strike rate of 126.66 whereas 59 wickets with the ball at an economy of 7.46 in total 63 matches. Of late, he is back in action after completing the two-year ban by the ICC for serious misconduct. Therefore, the experienced 33-year-old is expected to emerge as the big-ticket player in the mega auction. Every team will be eyeing for a match-winner like him who can provide the right balance to the middle order and can take the command of winning matches with his spinning craft. 9. Kane Williamson (6 crore – 8 crore) Kane Williamson. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The New Zealand based cricketing prodigy has shown his ability to snatch matches from the jaws of defeat. Proving his mettle, Kane Williamson took his national team into the finals against the mighty England in the World Cup 2019. The calm mind is known for weathering any bowling storm and steady the team’s ship in the right direction. Subsequently, Sunrisers Hyderabad was quick to purchase the powerful batsman in 2015. Paying rich dividends, the orange army tasted the ultimate success in 2016 wherein they clinched the coveted silverware. Out of 53 appearances in his IPL career, Williamson has collected 1619 runs at an impressive average of 39. The top-order batsman has 15 fifties to his name in his overall career. It is expected that Sunrisers would drop him owing to only 3 retentions by each team rule. Hence, the right-hander looks all set to make the auction ground on fire too. Providing a fine balance to the top-order along with exemplary leadership skills, Kane will apparently muster a million-dollar contract. 8. Quinton De Kock (6 crores – 10 crores) Quinton de Kock plays a pull shot. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The South African skipper possesses every nuke which is required in the shortest format of the game. Having a rich IPL career playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad along with RCB and currently Mumbai Indians, Quinton de Kock has shown glimpses of his potential in several occasions. Out of 66 outings for all the franchises, the southpaw has 1959 runs to his name at a strike rate of 133.33. In the 13th edition, De Kock went all guns blazing against the lethal opposition bowling line-ups. He scored a massive 503 runs in 16 matches. Moreover, most of his runs came in the winning cause for MI. Eventually, the left-hander is likely to get a bid even higher in the upcoming auction. It will be exciting for the fans to watch out which team bags the explosive batsman in the 14th edition of the cash-rich contest. Hence, De Kock will be all set to roll down the opposition in the upcoming seasons. 7. Jos Buttler (6 crores – 9 crores) Jos Buttler. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) Hailing from England, the wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler is regarded as the T20 specialist for plenty of reasons. Having played for his national team for over 9 years, Buttler carries a truckload of experience on his shoulders. For his ability to dispatch balls for a maximum at ease and comfort, he has been a prime player in the IPL over the years. Riding over his confidence and calculated risk, Rajasthan Royals have retained the 30-year-old from the past 3 editions. As of now, he has plied his trade for Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. Of late, he looked off-coloured producing paltry 328 runs in 13 matches. Although, he has amassed 1400-odd runs in 58 matches at an average of 35 in his overall IPL career which makes him a prime contender for going down the hammer for sure. The pink army is anticipated to drop the middle-order swashbuckler and retain the likes of Steve Smith, Jofra Archer along with Sanju Samson. Hence, only time will disclose which team will be happy to loosen their purse in order to bag the aggressive batter. 6. Trent Boult (7 crores – 10 crores) Trent Boult. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) Trent Boult is another New Zealand based cricketer who took the world by surprise with his sheer pace. To his credit, he was one of the most terrific bowlers in the World Cup 2015 as he was the joint highest wicket-taker along with Mitchell Starc. As it turned out, he stepped into the IPL surface in the same year only to rip apart the opposition batting line up. Till now, he has grabbed 63 wickets at an economy of 8.53 and also has a four-wicket haul to his name. He plied his trade for Mumbai Indians in the 13th edition. Wreaking havoc on the lethal batsmen, he plucked 25 crucial wickets in 15 matches helping the team to cross the winning mark. Eventually, the left-handed speedster may produce profound heat on the auction table as teams will grapple to rope in the lethal pacer in the squad. Boult can spearhead the bowling unit and can turn out to be a match-winner for crucial bowling rendition under intense pressure. 5. Ishan Kishan (7 crores – 12 crores) Ishan Kishan and MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The Ranchi-based batsman has talent written all over his name. Ishan Kishan is known for proving his mettle at times when the team demands from him the most. The former Under-19 India captain signed a contract of 6 crore with Gujarat Lions on the back of brilliant performance in the Junior World Cup. Later, Mumbai Indians showed trust on the batsman and he repaid their faith with massive runs for the team. Over the course of 4 editions, he has scored 1211 runs in 51 matches at a strike rate of 136. In the IPL 2020, he amassed a terrific 516 runs in 15 matches. Also, he scored 99 in a match against Royal Challengers Bangalore speaking volumes about his potential with the willow. Hence, it goes without saying that Ishan will ink an expensive deal with a team only to perform his role as a perfect finisher to an innings. 4. Surya Kumar Yadav (8 crores – 12 crores) Surya Kumar Yadav. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The Mumbai-based domestic cricketer has been topping the charts as far as his performance with the bat is concerned. Impressed by his prowess, he received an IPL contract from Mumbai Indians in 2011, for whom he played a few IPL matches until 2013. As it turned out, Kolkata Knight Riders bought him wherein he had a successful stint and scored quickfire cameos for his team. In fact, he played all the matches in IPL 7, primarily due to his incredible strike-rate. In 101 IPL matches, SKY has mustered 2024 runs in 101 matches at an average of 30. Adding tooth and muscle to the batting line-up, the India uncapped batsman had a spectacular season in the 13th season as well. Making most of the opportunities, he smashed as many as 480 runs in 16 matches at a stunning strike rate of 145. Sticking with Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard, the blue outfit may have to forcefully release him from their list of retention. Eventually, he features in the high-profile list of players whom franchises would be eyeing on so as to strengthen their camp. 3. Mitchell Starc (10 crores – 13 crores) Mitchell Starc. (Photo Source: Twitter) Mitchell Starc can destroy the best of batsmen with his extra pace and swing. He has always been a match-winner for any team he plays for. Talking about his IPL career, he plied his trade for RCB in 2014 and 2015 wherein he stamped his authority with 34 wickets in 27 matches. Moreover, he is no mug with the bat. Starc has heavy arms to deposit the leather into the stands. All in all, Starc who is set to place his availability for the next IPL will be looking forward for yet another memorable stint once again. The 30-year-old has enough cricket within him to take on the likes of KL Rahul along with Virat Kohli among others in the T20 extravaganza. Currently, he is playing in the ODI series against India. A lot is at stake for him as the IPL franchises will be assessing the southpaw’s performance in the high-octane series. 2. Ben Stokes (11 crores – 13 crores) Ben Stokes. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The New Zealand-born England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been the biggest revelation for the 2019 World Cup champions. On the back of brilliant 84*, Stokes steered his team into the direction of triumph against New Zealand in the final showdown at the iconic Lords stadium. The all-rounder boarded the IPL train from the 10th season. Plying his trade for Rajasthan Royals, the southpaw has pulled amazing performances with both bat and ball. Out of 42 outings, he has heaped 922 runs with the willow whereas he picked 28 wickets with the ball. Hence, he has emerged as the best trouble-shooter for the Pink army. He scored 107 unbeaten against MI in the 13th season which is suggestive of his wits and cricketing brain. Rumours say that Ben Stokes will face the brunt as the team management is expected to release the swashbuckler ahead of the mega auctions. Playing the task of a pinch-hitter from the word go and dominating the batsman with the ball, he can perform all his roles to perfection without a shade of doubt. 1. Suresh Raina (12 crores – 15 crores) Suresh Raina. (Photo Source: Twitter) Suresh Raina left no stone unturned to help CSK win many matches whether with the bat, ball or with his fielding. Boasting the tag of ‘Mr IPL’ he has raised the standard of cricket with his fearless brand of cricket. Raina has 5000-odd runs under his sleeves which speaks wonders about his skills. It goes without saying that CSK could not tolerate the loss of Raina in their playing XI. Eventually, the MS Dhoni-led side languished at the bottom for the most part of the season. In 193 IPL matches for CSK and Gujarat Lions, Raina has made 5368 runs at an average of 34. With the advent of the 9th team, Raina can hold the responsibility of captainship in the upcoming season thanks to his experience. Therefore, the 33-year-old may sign a million-dollar contract after a heated battle as no teams will let the premier batsman go easily.

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10 Cricketers who could be the costliest if mega auction happens before IPL 2021

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