IPL 2021 Mini-Auction: Will Dawid Malan, Dussen, Seifert be in high demand in auctions? With BCCI approving two teams for IPL 2022, it’s certain now that IPL 2021 will witness mini-auction and not the mega-auctions for the 14th edition of the league. But still few top-ranked T20 players will be on every franchises’ radar as they still don’t have IPL contracts. Here we take a look at the top five players who are in top 10 of ICC T20I rankings list and will be a hot property at the Indian Premier League 2021 auctions.
Dawid Malan No. 1 Ranked Batsman in ICC T20 Rankings: English batsman Malan will be on every teams’ radar and might even become the most expensive player, currently held by Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) Pat Cummins. And it is rightly so. Malan recently created history by attaining the highest-ever rating points for batsmen in the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings. He is still the no. 1 T20I batsman and the southpaw has smashed 855 runs in just 19 T20I games at a whopping average of 53.44 and superb strike rate of 149.48.
Rassie van der Dussen: Someone who oozes effort and determination every time he walks on to the field, Rassie Van der Dussen has toiled to make his way to become a regular in Proteas colours. Dussen, who is currently no.5 T20I batsman, was the lone spark for SA in a disappointing World Cup campaign as he scored 311 runs from 8 innings averaging 62 at a balanced strike-rate of 90.01.
The 31-year-old can turn on the style in the T20 format where he has registered three tons and 24 half-centuries already in 117 appearances.
A reliable middle-order batsman with a solid technique, the South African should feature high on the priorities of franchises looking for stability in the middle.
Colin Munro: Despite being one of the best T20 batsmen in the world, Colin Munro went unsold in IPL 2020. The New Zealand opener was a part of the Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2018. He was, however, released by the franchise ahead of IPL 2019.
Munro is currently no.8 T20I batsman and he is one of the only three players in the history of international T20 cricket to have hit three or more centuries. He has a good T20I record and strikes in excess of 150 in T20Is. He is an impact player at the top and is a big six-hitter as well.
Tim Seifert: New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Seifert is currently no. 9 T20I batsman and he scored two half-centuries back-to-back in the recently concluded T20I series against Pakistan where he also became the leading run-scorer from either side.
In the T20I series which New Zealand won 2-1, Seifert amassed 176 runs at an average and strike-rate of 88 and 139.68 respectively.
Interestingly, CSK’s coach Stephen Fleming has already shown interest in him and hinted that the franchise will go after swashbuckling player in IPL 2021 auctions.
“There’s a team in yellow that might have a look at you (Seifert) as well. Not just Brendon McCullum’s team, there are other teams out there,” Fleming was quoted as saying during commentary for the T20I match between New Zealand and Pakistan.
Notably, Kolkata Knight Riders had signed Tim Seifert as Ali Khan’s replacement in IPL 2020. Ali Khan himself was a replacement signing. Unfortunately, even the American speedster picked up an injury, forcing KKR to sign Tim Seifert.
Adil Rashid: Rashid, who is no.3 T20I bowler, is a major part of the England white-ball team and has been an instrumental factor in their success in the last five years. Adil Rashid has till now featured in 51 T20I games for England scalping 51 wickets at an economy of 7.57 and average of 25.4. The leggie has a penchant for breaking partnerships and choking the opposition in the middle-overs.
Seeing the exploits of Adil Rashid with the ball in the shortest format of the game, the former England captain Michael Vaughan is surprised that the former doesn’t play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Recently, Rashid returned with the figures of 4-0-23-2 in a T20I against South Africa and Vaughan took to his official Twitter handle to express his bewilderment over the spinner not being one of the highest overseas picks in the IPL. The former England captain wrote, “How come Adil Rashid isn’t one of the highest-paid picks for the #IPL ?? Surely he should be”
Notably, the leg-spinner has applied for IPL auctions a number of times in the past but no franchise has shown any interest in bidding for the England star. However, given his recent form, Rashid is expected to be high on demand in IPL 2021 mini-auction.