IPL 2021 is round the corner and the mini-auction will set the ball rolling on February 18 in Chennai. Teams will be desperate to acquire the services of key players. These players will add much-needed value to their respective teams. They might even retain these 4 Top players in IPL. The next year when the big IPL auction is scheduled to happen.
StumpsandBails bring to you 4 top players whom the IPL teams can look to buy in the mini-auction:
#1 Shakib Al Hasan
He is one of the finest all-rounders of the modern game. His ability to be a match-winner with a single skillet makes him irreplaceable in any team. Hasan had fine IPL memories with Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He got dropped from the IPL as he was facing a ban on not reporting corruption charges. Shakib Al Hasan’s gameplay aids two IPL teams the best. The Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab will greatly benefit from having Hasan in their squad.
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Chennai Super Kings:
They don’t have a quality spin bowling all-rounder who can bat in the top 5 for them. The conditions in Chennai will suit Hasan’s style of bowling. He can be a great asset with the bat too for the men in yellow.
Kings XI Punjab:
Shakib Al Hasan can ideally fill in for the role Glenn Maxwell was expected to perform. He could provide 4 tight overs with the ball and be an accumulator in the batting department.
#2 Kyle Jamieson
He is one of the most exciting prospects in international cricket. He made his debut against India in 2020 and his stocks have constantly been on the rise. Even though Jamieson has primarily played Test cricket, he has impressed one and all with his all-round skills. He has picked up 36 wickets in 6 games while he also has a fifty to his name. He is certain to attract many bids in the auction. Teams who will look to go after Jamieson are Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Mumbai Indians:
Nathan Coulter-Nile was the weak link for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2020. Jamieson can easily walk in as a like to like replacement for Coulter-Nile. As Jamieson can also use the long handle to good effect in the slog overs.
Royal Challengers Bangalore:
The RCB franchise parted ways with Chris Morris who was their standout bowling all-rounder. Jamieson can seamlessly fit into Morris’s shoes for RCB. He might be the X-factor they so dearly need.
#3 Harbhajan Singh
He has been the standout spinner in the IPL. Harbhajan Singh has more than 150 IPL wickets to his name. He was released by the CSK franchise going into the auctions in 2021. We believe SRH and Rajasthan Royals will be greatly served by Singh’s services.
Sunrisers Hyderabad:
They lack a match-winning Indian spinner in their ranks. Harbhajan Singh along with Rashid Khan can strangle down any opposition and what a sight that will be.
Rajasthan Royals:
Rajasthan Royals are light on spinning options. They lack an experienced Indian spinner who can control the proceedings. Singh can play that role to perfection for them.
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#4 Steve Smith
Steve Smith can play both the roles of an aggressor and an anchor. He could be of great use to teams like Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders who lack a powerful top-order batsman. Smith can bat through the innings and can hold one end firm for stroke-makers to express themselves.
Delhi Capitals:
Smith can partner Shikhar Dhawan at the top and act as a cushion for the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant to go hammer and tongs at the other end.
Kolkata Knight Riders:
Shubman Gill and Steve Smith will make for an interesting opening pair. These batsmen have a solid technique and make batting look easy in the IPL format. Smith can be a wonderful addition to the KKR setup.
