IPL teams had a field day on day 1 of the mega auctions. Teams went all out in purchasing the players they wanted. Mumbai Indians, the most successful team were quiet for the large part of the day. They made a dash when it came to Ishan Kishan. MI went all guns blazing to retain him. They spent an earth-shattering INR 15.25 crores. Key Players Teams Can Target On Day 2.
CSK too stayed true to their brand trying to retain all of the players they had released. Their signing of Deepak Chahar for INR 14 crores set the auction ablaze. Few other teams like Gujarat, Hyderabad remained strangely passive for the large parts of the auction. They will now look to make few valuable purchases tomorrow, the day 2 of the auction.
We look at few key players whom teams can target on day 2.
Key Players Teams Can Target On Day 2:
#10 Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina was known as Mr. IPL not so long ago. He held the record for scoring the most number of runs for the longest time. Raina was not just CSK’s but the league’s most consistent batsman. He has won plenty of games for CSK singlehandedly. But Raina has struggled for form and fitness of late. He looked completely out of depth in the UAE leg in IPL 2021. But he will be keen to prove a point the coming season. A team like Lucknow will look to milk his popularity.
#9 Eoin Morgan
Eoin Morgan is one of the most respected leaders in world cricket. He is a captain with proven credentials. Morgan led England to their maiden ODI World Cup win in 2019. England played the semifinals in T20 World Cup 2021 and the finals of the 2016 T20 World Cup. He often fashions remarkable turnaround of the team that he leads. Morgan might just be the right candidate to lead RCB at this stage.
#8 Dominic Drakes
Dominic Drakes had a breakthrough CPL 2021. He was sensational with both bat and the ball. Drakes is a handy lower-order bowling allrounder who can change games in a matter of few balls. He is keen to make an impression in the world’s most popular league, IPL. Teams like KKR who have a franchise in the CPL will be keenly tracking his progress. Drakes is from the Jofra Archer school of cricket. If he can live up to the billing then he will be a valuable asset for any team he gets picked.
#7 Evin Lewis
He is one of the most underrated opening batsmen in world cricket. As he plays for the Windies, he rarely ever gets his due. But Lewis is a fearsome ball striker. He gets going against both spinners and pacers right from ball one. Lewis was in superb form in IPL 2021 too. But an underperforming Royals side didn’t help his cause. Expect him to get good numbers in the auctions.
#6 Rovman Powell
Rovman Powell is a quintessential Windies T20 player. He strikes the ball long and hard. Powell is a decent bowling option too. He fits the bill perfectly at number 6/7. There are very few finishers in the international circuit. A player like Powell will fit the bill brilliantly. His breathtaking hundred against England showcased his mettle at the highest level. Expect him to bag a promising IPL contract.
#5 Odean Smith
Odean Smith is talked up quite highly in the Windies. He is someone who uses brute power effectively. Smith proved all the hype true with a scintillating performance against India in the 2nd ODI. His all-round showing has pretty much sealed the deal for him. He is all set to pick a handsome IPL contract. Smith looks like an exciting prospect too much in the lines of his idol, Andre Russell. If he does end up emulating his idol’s heroics, the team that picks him will be laughing all the way to the bank.
#4 Rassie van der Dussen
Rassie van der Dussen is a solid middle order batsman. He has arguably been South Africa’s best batsman for the past 2-3 years. RVD was close to bag an IPL contract this year as a replacement for Ben Stokes at RR. But sadly it didn’t materialise. His career stats are quite impressive. He strikes at 137.3 and averages an outstanding 38.1 in 25 T20Is. RVD can be the glue that holds a batting team together.
#3 Adil Rashid
Adil rashid has been one of the most underrated spinners in modern day cricket. He has been England’s go-to man in all scenarios in limited overs format. Rashid is a wicket taker who isn’t afraid of getting hit. He has been royally ignored in almost all IPL Auctions up until now. But with the addition of two new teams, his services will prove to be mighty effective. Rashid is the trump card a captain wants.
#2 Devon Conway
Devon Conway has taken to international cricket as fish takes to water. He has been in sublime form right since his debut. Conway’s aggressiveness has augured well for Kiwis. He averages an outstanding 59.1 with the bat. His strike rate of 151.1 is brilliant too. Conway can be the enforcer in the powerplay that teams often lack.
#1 Marnus Labuschagne
Marnus Labuschagne missed out on an IPL contract last year. He is a bankable batsman who can weather many a storm if the team is in trouble. Labuschagne is a free flowing batsman who scores runs on all parts of the ground. He is a gifted cricketer and a tough character. Labuschagne can also be a future IPL captain if groomed well.
