IPL Auction 2018: 5 most experienced players going under the hammer

This year's IPL auctions will be held at Bangalore on 27th and 28th January. Almost all the teams have retained their core players and team scouts have already started scourging for players in the domestic and U-19 circuit.

However, having experienced players in the squad is just as important as they implement major decisions on the field and are tasked with guiding the team through difficult situations. Here's a look at 5 players who have played the most number of IPL matches and will go under the hammer:

Note:- The rankings are allotted on the basis of the number of matches played in the IPL.

#5 Harbhajan Singh (136 Matches)

Harbhajan Singh has played all 10 years of the IPL with Mumbai Indians and is one of a select few to have played for the same side since the tournament's inception. In his IPL journey, he has played 136 matches and has been able to scalp 127 wickets at an average of 26.54.

Harbhajan's experience on Indian sub-continental pitches would be a boon for whichever team buys him in the upcoming auction.

#4 Gautam Gambhir (148 matches)

Gautam Gambhir is an attacking opening batsman and an experienced skipper. He was an integral part of the Indian World Cup winning squad in 2011. In his IPL career, he has scored 4132 runs from 148 matches, playing for the likes of Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils.

Under his leadership, Kolkata Knight Riders twice carved their name on the IPL trophy. He would be a prime candidate to lead the likes of Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils who are looking for a leader.

#3 Robin Uthappa (149 matches)

Robin Uthappa has scored 3735 runs from 149 IPL matches across stints for Mumbai Indians, Pune Warriors India, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

In the 2014 IPL, Uthappa played a key role in Kolkata lifting the trophy. He was also given the Orange Cap for amassing the most runs that season.

In the previous edition of the IPL, he scored 388 runs at a blistering strike rate of 165.10.

#2 Yusuf Pathan (149 matches)

Yusuf Pathan is a hard-hitting batsman and an assertive bowler who has the ability to turn the course of a game in a couple of overs. He holds the record for the fastest IPL century by an Indian.

Yusuf has scored 2904 runs in 149 matches for Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders. Returning from suspension, he will be available for the upcoming auction.

#1 Dinesh Karthik (152 matches)

Dinesh Karthik is the only player in the auction to have featured in more than 150 IPL matches. He has the record for the most number of dismissals in the IPL.

Karthik, in his IPL journey, has represented Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Lions and Delhi Daredevils.