IPL 2021 auction – CSK, RCB, MI, KKR, DC, KXIP, RR, SRH strategy: The player auction for IPL 2021 season is just two days away and the franchises all set with making final calls on their target players. Just like the previous season, each team can have a maximum of up to 25 players in their squad with no more than eight foreign players. The value of the roster cannot exceed Rs 85 crore. InsideSport predicts one player CSK, RCB, MI, KKR, DC, KXIP, RR and SRH must sign to make a title-winning squad.
IPL 2021 auction – Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
CSK Purse: INR 19.90 cr || CSK Slots left: 6 || CSK Overseas slots left: 1 || CSK Must sign: Aaron Finch
CSK have retained their core for another season and along with it some exciting young talents. But they still lack a quality opener. In far cry from the days of Mathew Hayden and Brendon McCullum, the MS Dhoni-side have lacked that special extra in the top-order. And now with Shane Watson also gone, they would look for an opener. Aaron Finch can be a good option given their remaining purse.
IPL 2021 auction – Rajasthan Royals (RR)
RR Purse: INR 37.85 cr || RR Slots left: 9 || RR Overseas slots left: 3 || RR Must sign: Umesh Yadav
It was a strange decision by Rajasthan Royals, who are now under the new management of Sanju Samson when they released Steve Smith. With the Australian now gone, RR now have money aplenty to spend. The Rajasthan-side can now look to address balance in both the batting and bowling departments. However, their first concern will be to get a backup Indian seamer. Umesh Yadav should be on Rajasthan’s radar.
IPL 2021 auction – Kings XI Punjab (KXIP)
KXIP Purse: INR 53.20 cr || KXIP Slots left: 9 || KXIP Overseas slots left: 5 || KXIP Must sign: Shakib Al Hassan
With over Rs 53 crores in KXIP’s purse, they will be the most active team during the auction. But they will have to play smartly as they might end up overpaying certain players in lieu of bullying the market. The KL Rahul-side had ended its contract with Glenn Maxwell. It means they will need an all-rounder to fill in the Australian T20 specialist’s shoes. Shakib Al Hasan will be a good add as the former World T20 No.1 all-rounder is returning to IPL after his two-year ban.
IPL 2021 auction – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
KKR Purse: INR 10.75 cr || KKR Slots left: 8 || KKR Overseas slots left: 2 || KKR Must sign: Avi Barot
There is not much Kolkata need to address, given the balance they have in their present squad. However, they would still pray for a healthy season for Andre Russell. KKR will go into the auction with the joint-lowest purse and will need to be very specific with their pickings. They might look for a backup for their senior player Dinesh Karthik. Syed Mushtaq Ali’s fourth-highest run-getter Avi Barot. The Gujarat batsman scored a total of 283 runs from five games at an impressive strike rate of 184.96.
IPL 2021 auction – Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
RCB Purse: INR 35.40 cr || RCB Slots left: 11 || RCB Overseas slots left: 3 || RCB Must sign: Mohammed Azharudeen
RCB opted for a major shake-up to their squad despite qualifying for the playoffs. They have been over-reliant on Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers’ batting and would have a chance to change the dynamics this time. A backup Indian wicketkeeper-batsman would be a good choice as Parthiv Patel has now retired. Mohammed Azharudeen will give them the batting depth needed and will allow them to play a foreign allrounder in the middle.
IPL 2021 auction – Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
SRH Purse: INR 10.75 cr || SRH Slots left: 3 || SRH Overseas slots left: 1 || SRH Must sign: Shivam Dube
After another playoff exit, SRH need a little reinforcement from their squad. But it will be tough given their Rs 10.75 kitty. Death overs have been a big concern for SRH. Over the last three seasons, they have managed at 8.89, 9.62 and 8.96 and have lost 40+ wickets each time. They can look for a pacer like Shivam Dube, given his batting prowess in the lower-order.
IPL 2021 auction – Delhi Capitals (DC)
DC Purse: INR 13.40 cr || DC Slots left: 8 || DC Overseas slots left: 3 || DC Must sign: Nathan Coulter-Nile
DC will be most concerned about the South Africa vs Pakistan home series. Their entire bowling unit is set around two South African pacers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. So, if the duo misses a portion of the IPL 2021, DC will have to have a backup ready. Nathan Coulter-Nile can be a good signing, given his experience in IPL.
IPL 2021 auction – Mumbai Indians (MI)
MI Purse: INR 15.35 cr || MI Slots left: 7 || MI Overseas slots left: 4 || MI Must sign: Moeen Ali
On paper, the champions have their 2020 winning playing XI retained. That said, they will look to add some future players to keep their practice of tuning up the squad continue. An overall backup for Kieron Pollard. Given Moeen Ali’s recent show during the 2nd Test between India and England, where he scored 43 runs in 18 balls, which included five 6s and three 4s.