IPL 2023: 5 Lesser-known seamers who can spark bidding war at auction

IPL Auction 2023 is all set to take center stage on December 23. The marquee event will witness 405 players go under the hammer, of which 273 are Indians and 132 are overseas players. However, with a squad limit of 25 players, only a maximum of 87 cricketers can earn contracts from the franchises. The player auction will feature top-drawer players such as Ben Stokes, Cameron Green, and Sam Curran, and franchises are likely to go all guns blazing to acquire their services. Amid the renowned names, there are certain seamers who might not be prominent faces in the cricket fraternity but can add a lot of value to any side. Fans might witness teams breaking their bank to sign them. Here are five lesser-known seamers who can spark a bidding war at auction: 5. Vidhwath Kaverrapa Vidhwath Kaverrapa is one of the exciting prospects in the Indian domestic circuit. He has made the ball talk at the start of the innings and has dismantled batting line-ups for fun. The 23-year-old wreaked havoc with the ball in the 2022 season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, bagging 18 wickets in eight games at a fantastic economy of 6.36. Kaverrapa again carried on his good work in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022 and provided his side with timely breakthroughs. The Karnataka pacer featured in eight matches and picked up 17 wickets at an economy of 3.63, which includes a terrific four-wicket haul in the encounter against Punjab. The youngster is a genuine wicket-taker and could be a valuable addition to any side. Given Kaverappa has been a rich vein of form of late, many IPL franchises might raise their paddle to sign him at the upcoming player auction. 4. Vasuki Koushik Vasuki Koushik has been a consistent performer in the Karnataka cricketing circles. The 30-year-old has featured in 20 List-A matches and picked up 37 wickets at an economy of 3.42. When it comes to the shortest format, he has bagged 40 wickets in 33 matches at an economy of 7.59. Koushik has been simply sensational this calendar year. In the Maharaja T20 trophy 2022, he played 11 games for Hubli Tigers and bagged 12 scalps at an economy of 7.68. Then in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022, he was the wrecker-in-chief for Karnataka, with 18 wickets in nine matches, that too at a superb economy of 2.70. The Karnataka pacer has shown his class in the domestic arena time and time again and has the potential to shine in the lucrative T20 tournament. Many franchises lack gun Indian pacers in their arsenal and they could look at someone like Koushik to bolster their pace attack. 3. Gerald Coetzee Gerald Coetzee has set South Africa’s domestic circles on fire with his exploits on the cricket field. He has rattled batters with his fiery pace and has been a strike force with the ball. Also, he has been quite handy with the bat and provided crucial cameos slotting in at the lower order. Coetzee has bagged 37 wickets in 29 matches in the shortest format at an economy of 7.76 and scored 152 runs at a strike rate of 140.74. He was simply phenomenal in the CSA T20 Challenge 2022, which saw him bag 13 wickets in eight games at an economy of 7.67 and smash 85 runs at a strike rate of 207.31. The inclusion of an express pacer like Coetzee adds another dimension to the seam attack making a team’s bowling unit more rounded. Moreover, his skills with the bat are a bonus. Thus, many IPL franchises might show interest in signing the youngster at the forthcoming auction. 2. Luke Wood Luke Wood has been a proven performer in the England domestic circuit. He has featured in 60 first-class matches and bagged 132 wickets at an average of 35.18. In the shortest format, the 27-year-old has picked up 77 scalps in 84 games at an economy of 8.34. Wood did a great job at The Hundred 2022, bagging 10 wickets in nine games at an economy of 8.25. His exploits with the ball were instrumental in Trent Rockets’ maiden title triumph. Courtesy of his impressive performances, the Yorkshire-born broke into the England T20 set-up. He has featured in two T20Is thus far and has taken three scalps for his national side. Wood being a left-arm pacer brings variety to a pace attack. And with his stature in the T20 arena on a rise, many IPL franchises might ponder over including him in their mix. Thus, one might witness many teams bidding for him at the player auction. 1. Paul van Meekeran Paul van Meekeran has been an integral part of the Netherlands T20 set-up. The 29-year-old can trouble batters with his swing early in the innings and can stem the flow of runs at the slog overs. He has featured in 58 T20Is and picked up 64 wickets at an economy of 6.99. van Meekeran was quite exceptional at the T20 World Cup 2022 and bagged 11 wickets in eight matches at a terrific economy of 6.38. He was at the forefront of a remarkable win against Zimbabwe in the 34th match of the T20 extravaganza, picking up a fantastic three-wicket haul to help contain the opposition at an under-par score of 117. The Netherlands pacer will go under the hammer at the IPL 2023 auction and has kept his base price at INR 20 lakhs. van Meekeran has the ability to bowl at any phase, which makes him an asset to any side. Therefore, many franchises might be inclined towards investing in him at the marquee event.

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IPL 2023: 5 Lesser-known seamers who can spark bidding war at auction

IPL 2023 auction will witness 405 players go under the hammer.

4. Vasuki Koushik

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