IPL auction 2018: 5 overseas players who could be more expensive than Virat Kohli

The mega-auction for IPL 2018 will see many small and big stars grappled up by the franchises of the league. However, all eight teams have already made some retentions into their squad.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's Virat Kohli, with Rs. 17 crore, is the most expensive retention in the history of the tournament.

However, the bids for certain foreign players can match this number, or even go a step ahead of it. Here are five names that can create tremendous tension during the auction and rake up high numbers:

#5 Chris Lynn

He's a hard hitting batsman!

Former Kolkata Knight Riders player Chris Lynn had to discontinue the last season due to a serious leg injury.

However, his tremendous batting in last 7 matches of IPL was unforgettable,.Lynn scored 295 runs off those 7 matches.

Though his performance was excellent in last season, he wasn't included in the retention list of KKR, which was surprising. But strong rumours suggest that the team is looking to have him onboard again through the RTM policy.

However, since Lynn is available for auction, he is all set to go for an expensive price.

#4 Rashid Khan

He recently won the ICC Associate Player of the Year award

IPL Season-10 remained remarkable for Rashid Khan, his performance throughout the season was impressive.

The Afghan bowler played in 14 matches in the season, oin which he picked up 17 wickets. He was in the list of the top-5 wicket-takers of the tournamnet.

Despite of this jaw-dropping performance, he wasn't included in the retention list of Sunrisers Hyderabad, which, yet again, was quite surprising, more so for Hyderabad fans.

Therefore, he'll available for this year's IPL auction and all the other IPL teams will be eagerly waiting to have a classic player like him onboard, which will thereby increase the magnitude of the bids for Khan.

#3 Ben Stokes

Controversy has surrounded the English all-rounder recently

One of the all-rounders on top of the list of players available in the auction is England's Ben Stokes.

His performance in the last season of the tournament was fabulous. Of the 12 matches he participated in, he scored 312 runs and picked up 12 wickets. This made him one of the prominent players in the competition.

Meeting the requirements of IPL is a difficult task, as only 4 overseas players are to be chosen for play on-field, which is why all-rounders are a better option. Considering that he went for a massive bid last time around, there's no doubt that he would be wanted by all teams this time around as well.

Ben Stokes might be a good choice for the teams with relatively weaker bowling attack

#2 Mitchell Starc

The speedster played with the Bangalore franchise last season

Starc is one of the most attacking bowlers of the Australian side and his bowling figures in all formats of the game are impressive.

A player of such value is essential for every team in league cricket, wherein a bowling side needs to be well-balanced and stronger, sometimes more so than the batting unit.

Looking at Starc's bowling figures in IPL, it can be noted that of the 27 matches he played, he has managed to take 34 wickets. This, in itself, speaks of his admirable skills.

#1 Kane Williamson

Will he go back to the Hyderabad camp?

SRH's most stylish player, Kane Williamson, had a great hectic season at the IPL last time around.

He played a crucial role in balancing the team with his marvelous batting skills throughout the tournament.

Let us have a quick look at his batting figures in last season: He played 7 matches in IPL 2017 and managed to score a whopping total of 256 runs. This not only strengthened the team's batting line-up but also made them favourites to win the trophy many a time.

Since he isn't included in retention list of SRH, he'll be available for this season's auction. He is set to go for big money and high bids in the same.