IPL 2020: 5 players who could be purchased after their performance in the T20 Blast

There is a sense of excitement and furore as the eight Indian Premier League franchises sit down to analyse the performance of cricketers from all over the world ahead of the auctions next month. While Indian domestic stars are likely to be the top buys, teams also will have their eyes on procuring the services of young and dynamic T20 stars from all over the world, who have left their mark in the various T20 leagues held over the globe.

The Caribbean Premier League, The Mzansi Super League, the Big Bash League and the Vitality T20 Blast threw open a plethora of players who impressed with their ability to remain calm under nervy moments. Equipped with some handy skills, these cricketers helped their respective teams in crunch moments, and will now be hoping for an IPL contract come December 19.

Here are five players, who could be in demand at the auctions based on their T20 Blast performances this year.

Also see – World Test Championship Schedule

#1 Tom Banton (Somerset)

The breakthrough player of the T20 Blast this year, Tom Banton enjoyed a highly successful season in the T20 Blast that ended with him getting a call-up to the England T20I team for the series against New Zealand.

Equipped with an array of shots, the second-highest run-scorer of the edition with 549 runs in 13 games, just 29 runs short of the leader of the pack and fellow Somerset opener Babar Azam. He and Azam constantly piled on the runs for the team, and the county will wonder just how they contrived to succumb in the first round.

No player in the T20 Blast hit more fours than the 90 he hit in the tournameent. His carves, whips, sweeps and reverse sweeps gave evidence of a talented star with a great future. Though he was not quite able to leave a mark in his maiden international tour, managing just 56 runs in three games, there is no doubt that the 21-year old will attract huge bids in the IPL auctions.

Players like Kolkata Knight Riders, who are in dire need of an attacking batsman upfront, might go after him.

#2 Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Yorkshire)

Tom Kohler-Cadmore

In a competition that threw up a large number of batting talents, Tom Kohler-Cadmore could well have been overshadowed by the likes of D'Arcy Short, Saim Hain, Alex Hales and Cameron Delport. However, in what was a difficult campaign for Yorkshire, the 25-year old gritted it out and showed his temperament to raise his game up even in advserse situations as he averaged 62.14 in 10 innings at the top of the order.

He scored five fifty-plus scores with the help of 29 fours and 19 huge sixes. Batting with a strike rate of over 140 in the format, not only is Kohler-Cadmore an aggressive player but also a technically sound cricketer, who has managed to leave his mark in First Class and List A games as well.

Teams like Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are looking for batters that will lend solidity at the top, might be tempted to bid for the right-hander.

#3 Wayne Madsen (Derbyshire)

Wayne Madsen

Wayne Madsen stood out for his county Derbyshire in their unexpected run to Finals Day this year. At the forefront due to his technical superiority, ageless class and wristy innovation, the South African-born player played a huge role in the Dominic Cork-led side's progress to the semis.

He was out for 47 in the semis while attempting a sweep off Aron Mijjar and could not help his side over the line, but Madsen had played his part in the initial rounds with four half centuries coming at an average of 46.40. The 35-year old was a pillar of consistency batting at number three, and along with skipper Billy Godleman, inspired his side in a campaign that meant a lot to Derbyshire.

IPL teams like Kings XI Punjab, who are looking to consolidate their batting unit might just review his performances and decide to get him on board.

#4 Matt Carter (Nottinghamshire)

Matt Carter

The Vitality T20 Blast proved to be a coming-of-age tournament for the young Nottinghamshire spinner, who was often under the radar throughout the edition. Though Matt Carter only managed to pick up 14 wickets in the edition, he did so with a miserly economy rate of 6.59 despite bowling on small grounds that had flat tracks to offer. Of all the spinners who picked up 10 or more wickets in the T20 Blast, only Colin Ackerman, who finished with 12 scalps, had a better economy rate than Carter.

The 6 feet 6-inch spinner has tremendous potential, and has been earmarked as a player for the future. His guile with the ball and the extra bounce that he generates due to his height should give him a major advantage.

Rajasthan Royals, who will want to stack the team with a few quality slow bowlers, might consider Carter in their plans.

#5 Matt Parkinson (Lancashire)

Matt Parkinson

The fact that Matt Parkinson got picked up in the English Test side for the tour of New Zealand despite not being a regular for Lancashire this season in red ball cricket shows the kind of impact he had in the Vitality T20 Blast.

With 21 scalps in just 12 games and a strike rate of 11.7, Parkinson led the Lancashire team into the quarters, and it was hard not to sympathize with the 23-year old as his team went down to Essex to crash out of the tournament. The leg-spinner has pace in his arsenal that constantly troubles the batters, and this was on full display in the T20Is against New Zealand, where he returned with 5 wickets in 2 games.

The gutsy bowler looks to toss the ball up rather than pushing it through, and his performances in the upcoming Tests against the Black Caps, that will be played in seam-friendly conditions, might just impact his IPL future.