IPL 2019: 5 unsold players from 2018 who are expected to be a hot property in the auction

The 2019 IPL auction is just around the corner. And, the franchises have started churning out their list of players whom they will be aiming at the auction. As many as 1003 players registered for the 2019 IPL auction. Of them, the franchises have shortlisted 346 players who will be going under the hammer on 18th of December.

This time around, we will be witnessing a sort of a peculiar auction. The reason being plenty of Australian and English players will be leaving early in a bid to prepare for the 2019 World Cup. And hence, Indians, South Africans, New Zealanders, and West Indians will be a hot property in the 2019 IPL auction.

Moreover, in the absence of English and Australian players, a handful of unsold players from 2018 auction will also be making it to the wish-list of many of the franchises. Thus, in this article, we will have a look at five unsold players from 2018 IPL auction who will be catching everyone’s eye in the 2019 IPL auction.

1. Shivam Dube (India)

Shivam Dube, the 25-year all-rounder from Mumbai, has been on an exponential curve in the recent scheme of cricket. The all-rounder is having a ball of a time in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Thus far having played five matches, the Mumbaikar has scored 413 runs at an excellent average of 68.83. In addition to that, he also has 16 scalps to his name in the tournament so far. The budding all-rounder has also hit two gritty fifties and two astonishing centuries in the tourney so far.

With excellent all-round abilities, Dube has turned out to be a significant part of the Mumbai team. Although Mumbai hasn’t lived up to the expectations in the ongoing Ranji season, Dube has provided them a much-needed balance in the middle with his all-round abilities.

Hence, with talent by his side, Shivam, who went unsold in 2018, is expected to attract a lot of bidders in the 2019 IPL auction. Moreover, with Shivam being an uncapped Indian player, the case gets much stronger. His decent T20 numbers speak the same story as well. Having played 13 T20s, Dube has amassed 189 runs at a decent strike-rate of 147.65. Besides, he also has ten wickets to his name.

Thus, the Mumbaikar will unquestionably be one of those players who went unsold in 2018 but is anticipated to gain a lot of attention in 2019 auction.

2. Aiden Markram (South Africa)

Aiden Markram, the South African batting prodigy, has now become an influential member in the South African team. With resolute technique and excellent stroke-making abilities, Markram rose up through the ranks to present his case in international cricket.

The right-handed South African batsman is envisioned to be a prospective entity in the upcoming edition of IPL auction. To support his case, he has excellent T20 records up against his sleeve. The right-handed batsman has featured in 39 T20s and has scored just below 1000 runs – 937 to be precise – at an excellent average of 32.31.

To add to it, he also has seven wickets against his name. Thus, with pretty decent numbers and IPL’s possibility of shifting to South Africa, Markram is going to be one of the most sought-after players in the upcoming auction.

3. Nicholas Pooran (West Indies)

Nicholas Pooran, the fearless left-handed batsman from Trinidad, has been a household name in current the scheme of T20 cricket, especially franchise-based cricket. With impeccable power-hitting skills, Pooran has been a privilege to watch in the shorter formats of the game.

Nicholas had an essential role to play in Northern Warriors’ triumph in the recently concluded T10 League. Featuring in nine matches in the recent T10 League, the left-handed batsman finished as the highest run-scorer of the tournament. Pooran amassed 324 runs at an astonishing average of 54.00 and an outstanding strike-rate of 245.45. The impressive numbers show that he is by no means short on talent.

Despite his exceptional batting exploits, Pooran went unsold in 2018 IPL auction. Howbeit, owing to his excellent form in T10 League 2018, Pooran will be attracting a good number of bidders in the upcoming auction. Moreover, with no definite commitments for his national board, Pooran will be available for the whole of IPL. Hence, the franchises will be adamant to acquire players of Pooran’s stature who will bring the desired balance to the team.

4. Rajneesh Gurbani (India)

Rajneesh Gurbani, the promising right-arm bowler from Vidarbha, set the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy stage on fire with his bowling exploits that unsettled the batsmen more often than not. Gurbani was instrumental in Vidarbha’s maiden Ranji Trophy win in the 2017-18 season.

Despite his exceptional performance in Ranji Trophy 2017-18, Rajneesh failed to get an IPL contract. Nevertheless, in the upcoming edition of IPL auction, the franchises will be having a close look at him. Gurbani will be a tempting option for IPL 2019 for the fact that he generates adequate seam movement which will turn out to be unplayable if ever the IPL moves to South Africa.

Gurbani accounts for decent T20 numbers as well. Having featured in 14 T20s, he has scalped 13 wickets at an average of 26.07, strike-rate of 20.30, and an economy 7.70. Thus, with pretty good control over the white cherry, the right-arm bowler will garner a lot of consideration at the 2019 IPL auction after being ignored in 2018.

5. Jonny Bairstow (England)

Jonny Bairstow, the right-handed batsman from Yorkshire, has been one of the few all-format players for the English team. The 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has made a name for himself as a free-flowing stroke-maker who rakes up runs at will. Despite a strong batting hand, Bairstow hasn’t made it big in IPL as he failed to gather any bidders in the 2018 IPL auction.

Nonetheless, this time around, the Englishman is expected to entice a lot of bidders to his fore. Bairstow, according to the guidelines of the English board, will be missing the latter half of IPL 2019. However, the franchises will be keen on acquiring him owing to his batting and wicket-keeping exploits. Bairstow has had a decent T20 record as well. Being a part of 96 T20 games, he has scored 1649 runs at a strike-rate of 126.45.

He will prove to be a smart addition for the teams who will be in need of a wicketkeeper-batsman. Teams like SRH, KXIP, and RCB might be the ones going after Bairstow. Thus, after being unsold at 2018 IPL auction, Bairstow is expected to get plenty of bids at 2019 IPL auction.

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