IPL 2020: 8 seam-bowling all-rounders who might start a bidding war

In the shortest form of cricket, it is important to get the right balance in the team. It is a format where an off day for one of the bowlers or a key batsman can keep you on the back foot. That is the reason why teams opt for all-rounders in their sides to give them sufficient batting depth and an extra bowling option. In the Indian Premier League, the discussions on the team combinations start months before the beginning of the season, when the auction takes place. Here is a list of all-rounders who will be on the shortlist of all the franchises to grab at the auction in Kolkata.

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#8 David Willey

Willey is considered as a T20 specialist in England

The left-arm pacer from England hasn't had enough opportunities in the cash-rich league thus far, but his ability to swing the new ball would still catch attention. In addition to this, the 29-year-old uses the long handle quite well and can fulfill the role of a pinch hitter, which he has done ably in the past for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League. Willey has represented Chennai Super Kings in 3 IPL games in their title-winning journey while missing the following season due to family reasons.

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Also see - Ranji Trophy most runs

#7 Andile Phehlukwayo

Phehlukwayo marked his international arrival back in 2016

One of the most underrated all-rounders from South Africa, Andile Phehlukwayo, is yet to play in the Indian Premier League. The 23-year-old, loaded with subtle variations, is best utilised in the middle overs and at the death. He has a knack of picking wickets at key moments of the match, making him a mainstay of the Proteas' white-ball squad. Moreover, he is a power batsman who can go all guns blazing lower down the order, thereby giving his team a much-needed balance.

#6 Chris Morris

Morris was retained by Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2018

Chris Morris has been a regular member of the Delhi-based franchise for years, having been a part of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals before, though he has lost his sharpness with the bat of late. Having said that, the 32-year-old all-rounder is an impact player, who has won many games for his franchises before, both with the bat and ball. In his IPL career of 61 matches, the lanky South African has picked 69 wickets at an economy rate of under 8 and averages 27 with the bat with a strike rate of over 150. The experience that Morris possesses might be a factor to start a bid-war at the IPL 2020 auction.

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#5 Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis represented RCB last year

Since making his debut in international cricket, Marcus Stoinis has improved a lot in both the aspects of the game - batting and bowling. Though he has not yet made a mark in the IPL, he has a lot to offer in the years to come. The Australian all-rounder provides the flexibility of opening the batting and playing a finishers' role with the bat and with the ball in hand, he uses his variations to bowl at the death. Having a decent experience in the Indian conditions, Stoinis will surely be a target for many in the upcoming auction.

#4 Chris Woakes

Woakes picked 16 wickets from 11 matches at the ICC World cup

The English all-rounder had a phenomenal start to his IPL career for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017 where he scalped 17 wickets in the season. Following an ordinary show for Royal Challengers Bangalore next year, Woakes was released by the franchise later to remain unsold in the IPL 2019 auction. By displaying promising performances with both, bat and ball, in the World Cup earlier this year, the 30-year-old looks set to restart his IPL journey again.

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#3 Tom Curran

Tom Curran was a part of England's World Cup winning squad

The young prodigy of IPL 2018, who represented Kolkata Knight Riders, has come a long way ahead in the past couple of years. Tom Curran has mastered the yorkers, which has turned him into a much better bowler. In addition to that, he has made an impact with the bat as well, playing for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League. The 24-year-old has saved his side on numerous occasions by helping them post competitive totals. Curran has played over 100 T20s around the world and has vast experience which may be vital in the competitive IPL environment.

#2 Sam Curran

Sam Curran was released by KXIP earlier this year

After being bagged by Kings XI Punjab for a massive INR 7.2 crores last year, all the eyes were on Sam Curran. The 21-year-old went on to pick up a match-winning hat-trick against Delhi Capitals that turned the match on its head. Furthermore, he scored a quickfire fifty against Kolkata Knight Riders to prove his all-rounding creds. Though he performed well only in patches last season, the franchises will be keen to invest in a very young talented cricketer, who can make an impact in the coming years.

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#1 James Neesham

James Neesham played his last IPL match back in 2014

It would be a surprise if Neesham doesn't get a single bid this time around in the IPL 2020 auction. The Kiwi all-rounder is in the form of his life and played a vital role in New Zealand's journey to the World Cup final. The 29-year-old has over 1500 runs and 106 wickets in the shortest format of the game and it is quite astonishing to know the fact that he has played only 4 games in the biggest T20 league in the world. Neesham has a reputation of a devastating middle-order batsman and a handy seam-bowler, who on a given day, can win matches with any and either one of these elements.