IPL 2020: One released player from each franchise who is likely to get big bids

There are only a few days left for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 player auction now, and the excitement is growing with each passing day.

A total of 971 players (713 Indian and 258 overseas) registered their name to be included in the auction pool, in contention for the 73 vacant spots, after all the franchises put out their list of released and retained players last month.

Big names like Chris Lynn (Kolkata Knight Riders), David Miller (Kings XI Punjab), Chris Morris (Delhi Capitals), Marcus Stoinis (Royal Challengers Bangalore), and Yuvraj Singh (Mumbai Indians) were all relieved of their duties by their respective franchises.

Several of these released players, including Lynn and Morris, have registered themselves for the auction and are up for grabs. With only a very few slots to be filled, and so many players from across the globe vying for a contract, the IPL 2020 player auction is likely to see some intense bidding wars. Here’s a look at one released player from each franchise who could attract big bids on 19th December.

Evin Lewis (Released by: Mumbai Indians)

Evin Lewis

West Indian opener Evin Lewis is one dangerous hitter in this format of the game and he is living up to the billing with his swashbuckling performances in the ongoing T20 series against India.

Lewis has an excellent record in T20Is, having scored 793 runs in 27 matches at a strike rate of 155.79 with two hundreds, both of them coming against Virat Kohli's men.

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Although the big-hitting southpaw managed only 48 runs in three matches in the 2019 season, he did reasonably well in the 2018 edition, getting 382 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of 138.40 with two fifties to his name. Based on current form and overall ability, the West Indian, who idolises Chris Gayle, should draw the big bucks at the auction.

Sam Billings (Released by: Chennai Super Kings)

Sam Billing

Wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings was recently named the vice-captain of England’s T20I side for the tour of New Zealand, which shows how highly the English management rates him. Having smashed his career-best 87 from 47 balls against West Indies this year, he must have been looking forward to the ODI World Cup. Unfortunately, he dislocated his shoulder, and was ruled out of action for five months. Upon his return from injury, the 28-year-old couldn't perform well in the T20Is versus New Zealand as well.

One of the better players of spin, Billings has played some nice cameos in the IPL. In 2018, turning out for Chennai Super Kings against Kolkata Knight Riders, he smashed 56 from 23 with five sixes as CSK chased down 203. He is a safe wicket-keeper who is electrifying on the field minus the gloves as well. He played only one game for Chennai in 2019 before being released.

Chris Lynn (Released by: Kolkata Knight Riders)

Chris Lynn

Kolkata Knight Riders releasing Australia’s aggressive batsman Chris Lynn was the biggest surprise when the franchises announced their pre-auction squads. Lynn has put his name back in the auction pool for a base price of Rs 2 crore. Immediately after being released, the 29-year-old smashed a record score of 91 not out off 31 balls in the recent Abu Dhabi T10 league.

Lynn ended the T10 league as its top run-scorer with 371 runs in eight matches at a strike-rate of 236.30 with four fifties. The form that he has shown in the run-up to the auction will be difficult to ignore. He, in fact, had done little wrong in IPL 2019 to have been ignored by the KKR management for the 2020 season. He scored 405 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of 139.65 with four fifties. In 2018 as well, he smashed 491 runs at a strike rate of 130.23.

On his current form and overall record, Lynn should find a franchise for 2020 at a hefty price.

Martin Guptill (Released by: Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Martin Guptill

Despite being one of the most successful T20I batsmen in the world, it is surprising that Martin Guptill hasn’t struck it big at the IPL yet. Guptill has featured in three IPL seasons, and has a rather disappointing record - 270 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 137.75 with only one fifty. In the 2019 season, he played just three games for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and finished with 81 runs, and a highest score of 36, before being released.

Guptill’s IPL numbers are in stark contrast to his T20I figures, a format in which he is one of the leading run-scorers. The New Zealand opener has 2,436 runs in 83 matches at a strike rate of 134.58. He also has two hundreds and 15 half-centuries.

He will have the opportunity to make amends on his IPL stats, provided a franchise gets interested in availing his services.

Rahul Tripathi (Released by: Rajasthan Royals)

Rahul Tripathi

A hard-hitting batsman, Rahul Tripathi made an immediate impression in his debut IPL season (2017), scoring 391 runs for Rising Pune Supergiant in 14 matches at a strike rate of 146.44. His best of 93 came off 52 balls against the Kolkata Knight Riders. He moved on to Rajasthan Royals for the 2018 season but could manage only a total of 226 runs in 12 games. After another average season in 2019, where he scored just 141 runs in eight games, Tripathi was released by the Royals.

The Maharashtra batsman was in fine form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Leading the side, he blasted an unbeaten 63 from 27 balls against Punjab, and then smashed 61 from 37 against Haryana. He could be a dark horse at the auction.

Colin Munro (Released by: Delhi Capitals)

Colin Munro

New Zealand’s swashbuckling opening batsman Colin Munro could not repay the faith placed in him by the Delhi Capitals for the 2019 season, despite having an average 2018. The left-hander totalled only 63 runs from five matches in 2018 and his 2019 figures weren’t any better - 84 from four matches.

While Delhi has released him, the 32-year-old southpaw has been in smashing form back home. After a 54-ball hundred in the warm up game against England A, he hit 46 from 21 against England in the 5th T20I last month. Also, he has notched up scores of 119 from 87 and 167 from 94 for Auckland in the 50-over Ford Trophy. Munro’s T20 numbers speak for -- 5662 runs in 237 T20s at a strike rate of 145.55. But, he needs to transform them into performances at the IPL level as well.

David Miller (Released by: Kings XI Punjab)

David Miller

David Miller is undoubtedly among the most dangerous hitters in the limited-overs format. Hence, it is no surprise that he has been a constant presence in the Kings XI Punjab lineup for many years. Back in 2013, Miller slammed a 38-ball hundred against Royal Challengers Bangalore. He ended up with over 400 runs in 2014 as well. However, his 2019 numbers were less flattering - 213 runs in 10 games at a strike rate of 129.87. Kings XI Punjab released him on the basis of what can be considered an under-par performance for the South African.

He has been in fine form for Durban Heats in the Mzansi Super League, with consistent scores of 40, 50 not out, 26 not out, and 45. He has a highly impressive T20I record as well, with over 1,300 runs at a strike rate of 140. We believe Miller's going to start a bidding war for sure!

Colin de Grandhomme (Released by Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Colin De Grandhomme

One of the most underrated all-rounders in world cricket today, New Zealand’s Colin De Grandhomme proved his mettle on the big stage, with crucial, and significantly brisk half-centuries against South Africa and Pakistan in the ODI World Cup. In the final at Lord’s against England, he was New Zealand’s best bowler with 1 for 25. The unassuming de Grandhomme rarely gets enough credit for his consistent efforts.

He was the man of the match in the Nelson T20I series against England last month, hammering 55 from 35. De Grandhomme also contributed in Kiwis’ Test win against England, with 65 runs and three key scalps. At the IPL level, his 40 from 17 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018 is his most memorable knock. In 2019, he managed only 46 runs in four games. However, he clearly has the potential to do a lot better and given his current form, could possibly have franchises breaking the bank for him.