IPL 2020 auction: 3 released players who might get big bids again

With the complete Iist of released and retained players for IPL 2020 out, the franchises will now be working out how they need to approach the auctions to be held at Kolkata on 19 December. While a number of big names were retained by the eight franchises, there were a few surprises as well in the list of released players.

However, all is not lost for the players who do not have a team as of now. They will go back into the bidding race, and while this usually means getting a lower bid as opposed to the previous year, some might even end up getting luckier.

Also see – Ranji points table

If the released players perform exceptionally well in the lead-up to the auction, there might be a rare case for them getting a higher salary than the previous season. Here, we take a look at three released players who are likely to get big bids again at the IPL 2020 auction.

#1 Chris Lynn

Chris Lynn

Kolkata Knight Riders releasing Australian power hitter Chris Lynn was arguably the biggest surprise at the end of the trading window. Lynn is without an IPL contract in the pre-auction period, but he is the leading run-scorer in the T10 League with 288 runs in 6 matches at an incredible strike rate of 246.15. He has three fifties in the tournament so far, and he even smashed the record for the highest score in the league with a 30-ball 91.

In fact, by no means did Lynn have a poor IPL 2019. He notched up 405 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of 139.65 with four fifties. In the edition before that, he amassed 491 runs at a strike rate of 130.23. And even though he played only seven games in 2017, Lynn blasted 295 runs at a strike rate of 180.98.

Lynn will definitely get a franchise in 2020. Whether KKR purchase him again remains to be seen.

#2 Sam Curran

Sam Curran

Even as this piece is being written, English all-rounder Sam Curran is making news for dismissing a well-set Kane Williamson with a rising delivery in the Mount Maunganui Test. The wicket came with the Kiwi captain looking solid as ever.

In his short international career, Curran has demonstrated the ability to make things happen. Ask India, who were constantly the victims of his solid lower-order knocks and crucial strikes with the ball in 2018.

Based on his all-round prowess against India, Curran got a contract with Kings XI Punjab for Rs 7.2 crore, and was among the top buys in 2019. He finished the season with 95 runs from nine games at a strike rate of 172.72, and 10 wickets at a strike rate of 19.80.

The KXIP management must have felt he hadn't done well enough to be retained. However, Curran is still young and has immense talent, which is evident to everyone. If he gets it right, he can be the perfect IPL cricketer.

#3 Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis may have been dropped from the national T20 squad, but the Aussie all-rounder is likely to remain a force at the IPL level.

Stoinis was traded from Kings XI Punjab to Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 6.2 crore, and he did a commendable job with the bat in IPL 2019. Blessed with the ability to tonk the ball a long way, he featured in 10 games for RCB and scored 211 runs at a strike rate of 135.25, with a best of 46 not out.

Stoinis often came in and got some quick runs for the team. His bowling was a let-down though as he managed to pick up only two wickets. Stoinis is known as a very good death bowler, so his lack of effectiveness was surprising.

The Aussie has found his rhythm back at the domestic level, and has come up with some very good performances for Western Australia over the last month. He was the man of the match in a close game of the Marsh Cup against Victoria, where he was at his best with 45 and 3 for 20, his renowned death bowling again standing out.