IPL 2020: 5 CPL stars who can attract huge bids in the auction

The T20 leagues around the globe have been quite instrumental in providing the correct exposure to the players even before they qualify to make it to the International arena. There's no denying the fact that International cricket is a different ball game as each player is under immense pressure playing for the nation, and the level of expectations is unmatchable given the amount of viewership associated with each contest.

However, in the recent past, the world has witnessed the emergence of various leagues as each one of them aims to provide the same level of competitiveness even before a player makes it to the next level. Indian Premier League (IPL) has been the torch-bearer in terms of the quality of cricket that is presented in the two-month-long extravaganza.

The other domestic leagues aim to emulate the success but haven't managed to come close to the following and the frenzy linked to any contest in the IPL.

The recently concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which was indeed a great success, provided a platform to a host of young players to earn a name for themselves at the world stage. Many individual performers stole the limelight with their consistent run throughout the competition.

With the IPL auction taking place this December, some of these players might likely attract huge bids at the auction in Kolkata for the 13th season of the league.

Here we take a look at 5 players who were stars in CPL and can attract huge bids at the IPL auction:

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#5 Glenn Phillips

Glenn Philips

An explosive wicket-keeper batsman for New Zealand, Glenn Philips is known for his attacking strokeplay which also helped him earn his maiden T20I call-up against South Africa in 2017. The 22-year old has, however, made huge strides in the shortest format of the game with his impressive run in his stint at the CPL.

In the most recently concluded season, he opened the innings for Jamaica Tallawahs and was the only shining star in an otherwise disappointing season for the franchise after they finished last in the points table.

In the entire season, he scored at a strike rate nearing 150, allowing his team to get off to a blistering start in many matches. He racked up a total of 373 runs in ten innings to emerge as the fourth-highest run-getter in the tournament. After going unsold in IPL 2019, teams might likely bid for the wicketkeeper who comes in with an added advantage of being an aggressive opener.

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#4 Hayden Walsh

Hayden Walsh Jr.

The USA-born cricketer who was picked by Barbados Tridents in the CPL draft in round 17, was only their second-choice spinner after Sandeep Lamichhane. However, once the former departed for national duties, Hayden Walsh Jr. made the best of his opportunity with his maiden fifer in the league and thereby inflicting a crushing loss on the Trinbago Knightriders.

As the tournament went along, Walsh Jr. was a regular in the playing XI for the Tridents and made life even more miserable for the batsman with his crafty leg-spin. Emerging as the highest wicket-taker in the tournament, the 27-year-old surpassed his expectations with a total tally of 22 wickets in merely nine games in a successful campaign for his franchise.

With such an impactful performance in the CPL, it would be tough for the franchise to ignore him at the forthcoming auction for the 13th edition of IPL. The leg-spinner will enjoy his time even more on wickets which will assist spinners next year in India.

#3 Lendl Simmons

Simmons has been one of the most successful overseas players for MI in the past

A T20 veteran, Lendl Simmons boasts of an experience of playing in a plethora of T20 leagues around the globe. He's a seasoned campaigner with prior experience of even playing in IPL for Mumbai Indians in the seasons gone by. In CPL 2019, Simmons was making debut for his home franchise after he was initially called in as a replacement for Colin Munro.

However, the West Indian opener played a vital role in taking Knight Riders to the final four. With his tally of 430 runs in 11 innings, he emerged as the second-highest run-getter in the tournament. Simmons also holds the record for the second-most runs in the tournament history after Chris Gayle.

With his experience and the recent form, it is likely that the veteran might once again induce interest among various franchises at the IPL auction.

In 2015, he was the leading run-scorer for Mumbai as he guided his team to their second title win in three years. After finding no buyers in the last two seasons, the 34-year old might be eager to once again get an opportunity in the lucrative league.

#2 Sheldon Cottrell

Cottrell has been in the news with his trademark salute

The Jamaican cricketer has been making all the right noises with his performances. Sheldon Cottrell had a wonderful Cricket World Cup in England, emerging as one of the star players for West Indies in what panned out to be a disappointing outing for the Caribbean side. He was the highest wicket-taker for the Men in Maroon as he managed to pick 12 wickets in nine games.

Backing his performances at the World Cup, Cottrell experienced a decent season with his franchise St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the recently concluded sixth edition of the Caribbean Premier League.

Being the strike bowler for his team, Cottrell scalped 12 wickets in eight matches, playing a great hand in taking his side to the third spot in the points table. However, the seamer didn't enjoy success in the Eliminator, after St. Kitts were knocked out convincingly by Trinibago Knight Riders.

After going unsold in IPL auction 2019, the 30-year old could be picked up by one of the teams given his brilliant performances.

#1 Brandon King

Brandon King

The real show-stopper this year, Brandon King took the CPL by storm with his skills for the Guyana Amazon Warriors. In an undefeated campaign for the Warriors in the league stage, the opener played a huge role to take his side to the final for the record-fifth time in the history of the tournament.

The highest run-scorer of the competition, King registered 496 runs in twelve innings at a strike rate in upwards of 145. He even propelled his side to a one-sided victory against Barbados Tridents in Qualifier 1 with a majestic 132* off just 72 balls. However, his heroics weren't enough to take his side all the way to their maiden CPL title.

With such a successful campaign as an opener for the Warriors, the right-hander might be a great demand in the IPL auction for the next season. The franchises will be vying to avail of the services of the Jamaica-born cricketer and might engage in a bidding war at the mini-auction in December.