3 International stars who can make a grand comeback in IPL 2019 after 2018 snub

IPL has grown into an elite stature where even the best players may not be picked if their form and fitness are a concern. In the past 11 years of IPL, there have been so many star players who were not picked in the auction. Even a cricketing legend like Brian Lara was snubbed during 2011 IPL auction.

IPL 2018 auction sprang too many surprises where plenty of T20 specialists like James Faulkner, Martin Guptill, and Corey Anderson couldn't find an IPL team for them.

Here is the list of three International stars who can make a grand comeback to IPL 2019 after their IPL 2018 snub. They have performed exceedingly well in the last few months to deserve a comeback.

#1 Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn has been rated by many legends as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all-time. The 35-year-old right arm fast bowler had a tough couple of years with a series of injuries and lack of form. He was also one of the unsold players of IPL Auction 2018 where no team showed interest in securing the services of the speedster.

Many thought Steyn's career was over as young speedsters like Ngidi, Rabada sealed the fast bowling slots in the South African side. However, the champion bowler squashed all the speculations by making a comeback to the limited-overs team.

Currently, he is playing in an ODI series against Australia where he is looking to seal his World Cup berth. Also, he will be looking at the IPL as a platform to prove the South African selectors that he is ready for the 2019 World Cup. IPL teams will be looking to have him to spearhead their fast bowling department.

Hence, we can expect a bidding war for the champion bowler during the auction.

#2 Joe Root

It was a shocking decision by IPL side, as they chose to not bid for Joe Root during IPL 2018 Auction

Joe Root went unsold during the 2018 IPL auction. It was probably one of the biggest shocks of the 2018 Auction because Root can add stability to any batting lineup in the world. Imagine a team like Delhi Daredevils who struggled for batting stability throughout the season. Root would have been an ideal fit for that team.

Root expressed his disappointment by saying, "I was disappointed. For me, I wasn’t going to fit into any one of those (IPL) teams. There’s not really much you can do. It was disappointing but it’s also very understandable."

However, the England International has played some aggressive ODI knocks proving the world that he is all set to take the IPL by storm. Root has scored 946 runs this year in ODI's with a healthy strike-rate of 84. His ability to switch gears will be a big asset to any IPL side.

Root's consistency in the top-order will set the platform for aggressive batsmen to attack the slog overs and expect him to be among the stars that interest a lot of teams.

#3 Eoin Morgan

Eoin Morgan has been in brilliant form this year for England's T20 and ODI campaign

Eoin Morgan missed the 2018 Indian Premier League after he went unsold during the auction. The England limited-overs captain who has previously played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders couldn't find a suitable side for him.

It was a big surprise not to see any side interested in the southpaw. He played an important role in revolutionizing England's view of T20Is and was instrumental in making them a successful shorter format team.

However, the champion batsman has been in scintillating form this year. He has scored 756 ODI runs with a strike-rate of 94 and an average of 42 in 2018. So it will be a huge surprise to not see him at the IPL next season.