IPL 2021 auctions saw 57 players being selected by 8 teams. There were plenty of big-money signings and a few valuable buys as well in the auction. But there were few surprising misses as well. Many key players were unsold players on IPL auction but they will remain hopeful that they can be picked at a later stage in the tournament if there arise any injury concerns for any team.
StumpsandBails looks at 5 unsold players who can be bought at a later stage in the tournament:
#5 Jason Roy
Jason Roy was instrumental in England’s World Cup-winning run. He had a great season with Delhi Capitals in 2018 but couldn’t build on that from then. Roy has been found wanting in the auctions. He was left high and dry in the auctions 2021. But Roy can be a valuable addition to any squad. He can certainly be called upon as an injury replacement.
#4 Marnus Labuschagne
Marnus Labuschagne has proven to be an ideal number 3 for Australia. He can effortlessly switch gears and this makes him a dangerous batsman to bowl to. He wasn’t picked by any of the teams but he surely will be looked in as an injury cover for a top-order batsman at some stage of the IPL.
#3 Aaron Finch
Aaron Finch is having a dry run as a batsman. He didn’t have a great IPL 2020 and hence was left out of the squad. But Finch is too good a cricketer to have a lean patch for such a long time. He is a good player of spin. On his day, he can demolish any bowling attack. He is one potential opener who can be called in as a replacement if any top-order batsman suffers from an injury.
#2 Alex Hales
Alex Hales was the leading run-getter in BBL 2020-21. He can hit sixes at will. Hales fits in beautifully at number 3 and can carry his team over the line as a finisher too. He wasn’t picked up by any team in the auctions. But he can certainly be looked in as an apt replacement.
#1 Jason Behrendorff
This left-arm fast bowler can prove to be an asset for any team he represents. His height, his angle make him a difficult bowler to face up to. He was surprisingly not picked up in the auctions. But he could surely fit in as a replacement for any fast bowler if there happens to be an injury concern.
