CPL 2019: 5 lesser-known players who might make it to IPL 2020 Auction

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is into its seventh season and there has been cut throat competition and jaw-dropping excitement on the field. The extravaganza has also thrown up a number of prodigious talents. There’s various franchise based T20 events around the globe and the sides keep any eye on their counterparts to rope in some prodigious talents for their leagues.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is deemed as the most popular of them all and many cricketers have aspired playing in the cash-rich league. Meanwhile, the players need to cross a few hurdles in order to play the IPL. To begin with, they need to be in the auction and then hope for some bids to come their way. There’s still time for the next IPL and some new faces can well be a part of the auction.

Here we take a look at five unknown names from CPL 2019, who can make their way into the 2020 IPL auction  

Fabian Allen

Fabian Allen is someone, who can play the big shots right from the word go and can find the boundary without much fuss. The attribute makes him a dangerous prospect in the T20 format as he can do some serious damage, especially at the death. The 24-year-old has been a massive part of the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots this season after having to warm the bench for a chunk of the last season.

Fabian already has a strike-rate of around 180 with an average in the 30s, numbers which aren’t bad bearing in mind that he doesn’t get a lot of chances to bat. He was in the IPL auction last season and went unsold at INR 50 lakhs. But after how he has done in the CPL, Allen may well be picked by one of the teams, leave alone only featuring in the auction. Not to forget his handy left-arm spin.

Rahkeem Cornwall

Rahkeem Cornwall is a daunting prospect, especially in the powerplay. The Antiguan is tall and gets long leverage of the arms, helping him to hit the long ball without dropping much sweat. The 26-year-old has a strike-rate of around 220 in this CPL and has wreaked havoc at times with the fielders in the circle. On his day, he can tear any bowling attack apart. He is playing for the St Lucia Zouks.

The Zouks have strained as a unit in the batting department and Cornwall has been their standout performer. He is yet to feature in any of the IPL auctions, but his shows in the CPL may just open the door for a place in the auction. Cornwall is also more than a decent off-break bowler. In fact, it’s his bowling in the domestic circuit that helped him made his debut for the West Indies, though in Tests.

Romario Shepherd

Romario Shepherd has been one of the reasons why Guyana Amazon Warriors have dominated in this CPL. The speedster didn’t play a lot of matches last time around, but has turned up with some consistent performances in this edition. On grounds in the Caribbean where scores in excess of 150 have been bread and butter, the 24-year-old has an economy of under six, which is stupendous.

The most astonishing part is that he bowls at the death at a time when the batters try to throw the kitchen sink at everything. The pacer has a good change of pace and can also hit the blockhole. Shepherd also picks up wickets to back his incredible economy. Romario also has the ability to churn out some lusty blows and his brief List A and T20 numbers suggest that he is no mug with the bat.

Khary Pierre

Khary Pierre, being a spinner, has been entrusted to bowl in the powerplay. Extracting turn with the new ball is a tough art and the left-armer has the skills to keep a check on the runs. He can change his pace and length, thereby disallowing the batsmen from hitting him consistently. Pierre may not have a whole lot of wickets in the CPL, but he has been an asset for the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR).

Pierre came into the limelight last season after he got 11 wickets in seven games at an economy of 5.65. It also paved his way for international debut, though he is yet to make his mark at the highest level. Last season, he was listed in the IPL auction at a base price of INR 50 lakhs. Unfortunately, he didn’t get a buyer. Next time, he deserves an IPL team and can be a handful on the slow wickets.

Brandon King

Brandon King isn’t one of the most popular names doing the rounds in world cricket. However, when it comes to action on the field, he has been an absolute revelation. Playing for the Warriors, the opening batsman has given his team blistering starts on a number of occasions. The Jamaica-born talent has a strike-rate of around 150 in this CPL and has laid the platform for the rest of the batting.

He got back-to-back fifties versus Jamaica Tallawahs and the Warriors and a 49 before that against the Patriots. He has an average of 38.80, which show that he can be consistent as well. Having lately played for the West Indies ‘A’, King has every chance of breaking into the national team. King is yet to feature in the IPL auction and he may find the IPL auctioneer calling out his name next time.