IPL 2023: 5 unsold players who may come in as replacement signings

The IPL 2023 auction took place on December 23 in Kochi and T20 stars from around the world featured at the marquee event. However, with a squad limit of 25 players, not many were able to land an IPL contract and out of the 405 players who went under the hammer, only 80 were able to find buyers. However, not everything is doom and gloom for the ones who went unsold at the auction. Fans have witnessed players enter the IPL arena as replacements and take the tournament by storm. For instance, in 2011, Chris Gayle came in as an injury replacement for Dirk Nannes and made the tournament his own, hammering 608 runs in 12 games for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Let us look at the players who can come as replacement signings in IPL 2023: 5. Shreyas Gopal Shreyas Gopal has been a bankable name in the Indian domestic circuit. The 29-year-old has featured in 57 List-A matches and picked up 89 wickets at an economy of 5.12. He has done a decent job in the IPL and bagged 49 wickets in as many games at an economy of 8.11. The ace spinner was part of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2022 season. However, he failed to break into the starting XI for the majority of the tournament. Shreyas played only a single game, where he leaked runs at 11.33. The Hyderabad franchises decided against investing in him for the upcoming edition. The leg-spinner featured at the IPL 2023 auction but unfortunately did not find a bidder. Shreyas has shown glimpses of brilliance in the cash-rich league in the past. Also, the Banglaore-born displayed his bowling might in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022, bagging 12 wickets in 10 matches at an economy of 4.59. Therefore, franchises seeking an Indian spin-bowling replacement might look to add him to their arsenal. 4. Sandeep Sharma Punjab Kings picked Sandeep Sharma at the 2022 mega auction to bolster their pace attack. However, he was far from his best and did not perform as per the expectations. The ace pacer managed to take just two wickets in five games at an economy of 7.65. Following a mediocre season, PBKS decided to move past him. He went under the hammer but did not garner any interest. However, there is still a chance for the Patiala-born to feature in the upcoming edition of the cash-rich league. Sandeep has fared well in the IPL and one poor season cannot deny how good he has been in the past. He has made the ball talk at the start of the innings and has provided his side with early breakthroughs. The right-arm pacer has featured in 104 matches and picked up 114 wickets at an economy of 7.77. Therefore, franchises needing a replacement for an Indian pacer can ponder over signing him. 3. Chris Jordan Chris Jordan has been a proven performer in the T20 circuit. The 34-year-old has featured in 295 matches in the shortest format and picked up 310 wickets at an economy of 8.57. He has ample variations up his sleeve and has proven to be tough to tackle in the death overs. The veteran pacer has also been an integral part of the England T20 set-up. Jordan has featured in 84 T20Is and bagged 95 wickets at an economy of 8.72. Further, he is no muck with the bat and has smashed 422 runs in those outings at a strike rate of 136.56. However, Jordan has not been able to set the lucrative T20 tournament on fire with his performances, taking only 27 scalps in 28 matches and leaking runs at an economy of 9.32. It might have been the reason why the England seamer did not attract any bids at the IPL 2023 auction. Though Jordan has not had success in the IPL, he is an experienced campaigner and can contribute to both departments. Therefore, if there is a need felt to add an overseas pacer, franchises might not hesitate in drafting him into the squad. 2. Mujeeb Ur Rahman Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been a prominent figure in the shortest format of the game. The 21-year-old has bamboozled batters with his variations and has been a strike force with the ball. He has featured in 198 T20 matches and picked up 223 wickets at an economy of 6.62. Mujeeb has been sensational in the international arena too, bagging 49 wickets in 36 T20Is at an economy of 6.22. He has mastered the art of bowling in powerplay and has been a tone-setter for Afghanistan with the ball. The mystery spinner has also been weaving his magic in the ongoing Big Bash League. He has played five games thus far and bagged six wickets at an economy of 6.85. Mujeeb is a valuable addition to a side and franchises looking for a gun spinner might look to include him in their team. 1. Dawid Malan Dawid Malan has been a consistent performer in the T20 circuit. The southpaw has featured in 290 games in the shortest format and aggregated 7895 runs at a strike rate of 129.44. He has been a match-winner with the bat for England and scored 1748 runs in 55 T20Is at a strike rate of 135.71. Malan has shepherded the innings beautifully and allowed stroke makers to play with freedom. Also, he has the ability to swiftly switch gears and demolish any bowling attack with his swashbuckling stroke play. The 35-year-old showed the aggressive aspect of his game at The Hundred 2022 and smashed 377 runs in nine games at a stunning strike rate of 166.81. Though Malan generally bats at the number three position, he has shown the might to open the innings. He brings a wealth of experience to any side and IPL franchises in pursuit of a quality batter might look to acquire his services.

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IPL 2023: 5 unsold players who may come in as replacement signings

One has witnessed players enter the IPL arena as replacements and take the tournament by storm.

2. Mujeeb Ur Rahman

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