3 popular Indian cricketers who might have a tough time finding a team in the next IPL auction 

A horde of cricket's brightest superstars, a bunch of ambitious franchises, and a stack of glittery price tags-the IPL auction is nothing less than a razzmatazz in its own style.

Initiating the buzz ahead of the annual cricketing carnival, the IPL auctions, as one would expect, are not about groups of experts going helter-skelter after some iconic names of the T20 world. Each move is usually backed by sound analysis and well-thought-out processes. While these moves might result in changing certain fortunes for good, they might also lead to unfavourable outcomes for a few players, as we have seen in the past.

And as the trends from a few of the bygone auctions suggest, recent playing form has played the crucial factor while past reputation and foregone glories have taken a backseat in determining a player's fate while going under the hammer.

This year's IPL too has witnessed a mixed bag of when it comes to the players' performances. On the one hand, the tournament has seen some exciting prospects come to the fore while on the other, several established names seemed to have gathered rust. In regard to the latter group, we present three popular Indian cricketers who might find few takers in the next IPL auction, given their poor run of form in IPL 2019.

#1 Yusuf Pathan

Yusuf Pathan has been out of sorts this season (Image courtesy: IPLT20/BCCI)

Yusuf Pathan's performance for the Sunrisers Hyderabad this year has done no favours to his reputation in the IPL. Renowned for his big-hitting prowess, the Baroda cricketer failed to prove his mettle despite getting multiple opportunities in the Orange Army's middle order. With just 40 runs in 10 games at a terrible average of 13.33, Pathan ended up drawing the ire of the critics and fans on several occasions. A strike rate 88.88 is another sad reminder of his poor form with the bat this year. Sloppy work in the field was another issue that cost his team at some crucial junctures.

The dismal show thus is likely to put the 36-year-old's career on last legs. While it is highly unlikely that the Sunrisers would retain him for another season, other teams too might not be keen on going for him at the next IPL auction.

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#2 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh represented Mumbai Indians in the latest IPL (Image courtesy: IPLT20/BCCI)

Before the start of the tournament, Yuvraj Singh made headlines after being purchased at his base price of Rs 1 crore by Mumbai Indians in the second round of the auction. Fans expected a fairytale comeback from the champion left-handed batsman but what transpired soon didn't quite go as per their plan.

After a brilliant outing in Mumbai's first of the season, things went pear-shaped pretty quickly for the southpaw this year. A fifty in the first match was followed by a couple of knocks of little substance that restricted him to the bench thereafter. With 98 runs in 4 innings this year, Yuvraj, despite the arguments that he did not get sufficient opportunities, has clearly not done any favours to his IPL career. And as numerous youngsters continue to hog the limelight with each passing day, the 37-year-old might find it tough to claim takers in the next IPL auction.

#3 Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay's career is fast reaching its twilight

Ravishing cover drives, stunning flick shots, and demolishing hooks were all once granted sights when Murali Vijay assumed the crease as an opener in the IPL. The CSK batsman also holds credit for scoring two wonderful tons over his career in the T20 competition. However, cut through the years, and the stylish right-handed batsman is now reduced to the role of a backup option in the fiercely competitive league. While dips in form and injuries have played the spoilsport, the emergence of breathtaking Indian talents has made life tougher for the Chennai-based cricketer.

After being picked for 2 crores by CSK in the last auction, a few expected Vijay to win back his critics with a good show this season. As things turned out, the 35-year-old did not get many opportunities to prove his mettle. It'll be interesting to see how things pan out for him in the following auction.