IPL auction 2019: Indian players not in current T20I squad who should be picked

More than a thousand players registered for the IPL auctions. Only 346 remain. Out of the remaining 346, only 226 are Indians. These 226 players will be vying for 50 remaining spots in the teams if the franchises wish to fill up all their slots for Indian players.

Considering that is the best scenario and the cap on the number of Indians that can be included in the teams, every team will try to fill up these slots with players who are talented, performing in the domestic circuit, and fit their team chemistry.

What follows is the list of players who are expected to be chased by franchises in the IPL auctions considering their performance in the domestic circuit this year, in descending order of their base price.

#1 - Jaydev Unadkat, Base Price - Rs. 1.50 crore

He is a player who has blown hot and cold over the years in the IPL. He ended up as the top wicket-taker of 2017 IPL after being picked by Rising Pune Supergiants for just INR 30 lakh. After RPS became defunct in 2018, he returned to the auction pool. In the IPL Auction 2018, he was sold as the most expensive player in the auction at a whopping INR 11.50 crore to Rajasthan Royals.

He couldn't justify the price tag and ended up being dropped. With two 5-wicket hauls in the IPL, 67 scalps from 61 innings and an economy rate of 8.2, he is an attractive buy, based just on the stats alone.

He returns to the auction pool yet again with a decent outing in the domestic circuit. Here too, he has blown hot and cold. It is expected that he will be picked up by the franchises again, but it is doubtful that he will command such price as he did in the previous auction.

#2 - Axar Patel, Base Price - 1 crore

His inclusion in the Indian national side has been put on hold due to lack of team balance and rise of other talented players who suit the team's needs better. Players like Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav and now, Krunal Pandya were found to balance the team chemistry better than him.

To top it off, injury being a constant companion, he could not find his groove while being selected. With the IPL auctions just around the corner, it is expected that his fortunes at the auction will turn around. There are several teams who are in the need of an all-rounder who can bat and bowl well.

Finding a player who is a contender for a spot in the national side will definitely boost the chances of the franchise that is able to finally get their hands on him. If all goes well, he might finally turn out to redeem himself, and with T20 World Cup in 2020 beckoning, starting to perform from now will also ensure a spot for him in the national team.

#3 - Yuvraj Singh, Base Price - Rs 1 crore

We all remember the night when we saw him smashing Stuart Broad for 6 sixes at the WT20 2007. The moment has remained fresh in our memories and that is probably the reason he was picked for such outrageous prices over the years at the auction, despite lacklustre performances.

We wanted to see that again, but all we found was a shadow of that man. Last year, Chris Gayle was not picked during the first round of auctions. He was later called up and bought by Kings XI Punjab, where he proved that he still had some time before he hung up his boots. Similarly, we have seen Yuvraj losing fitness and the destructive batting touch.

Maybe, if he gets picked up this year and is shown some support he will be able to redeem himself. We all know the class he has, maybe he could do justice to the saying "Class is permanent" and light up one last time before he fades into oblivion and becomes forever glorified in the hall of fame.

#4 - Mohammad Shami

Though he plays for the national Test side now, he has the skill and experience to adapt to the T20 circumstances. To top it, his base price of just INR 1 crore is very lucrative. Sides with not much Indian pace battery will definitely be eyeing him. Though at an economy rate of 9.14 and 21 scalps off 35 games do not seem very lucrative but the factor that IPL might be shifted outside India in 2019 might turn out to be a blessing for him. He does not seem to be in touch in the ongoing India-Australia series but it is only a matter of time that he hits a purple patch and turns into a hot property at the auctions.

#5 - Ishant Sharma, Base Price - Rs. 75 lakh

Another pacer who primarily plays only for the Test side now. It must be remembered that he is one of the few players who can boast of a 5-wicket haul in the IPL. At an economy rate of 8.2 and 58 scalps in 76 games might not look impressive, but then again his base price is just INR 75 lakh.

With loads of experience with the national side, playing county cricket and still performing at the top level should be reasons enough to pick him. What is even more attractive is that he has learnt to take responsibility for his mistakes and does the needful to rectify it. Learning quickly is a must in IPL and with the flexibility he has been showing recently, reaping rewards for buying him is a definite possibility. He could also act as a mentor to the young players coming up, thus his role will be crucial to any side that picks him.

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#6 - Hanuma Vihari, Base Price - 50 lakh

The top run scorer for Ranji Season 2017-18, the player who dismissed Chris Gayle for a golden duck, bowling economy rate of just 6.33 and a highest score of 46 are the statistics that favour him to be picked. Despite having a paltry average of just 15.33 with the bat, he has not reached his full potential yet at the T20 scenes and investing in him promises to be rewarding for the franchises. Starting to make appearances for the Indian test side, he has been a gritty batsman. With a little more consistency and a little more hardwork, he will be there. What remains to be seen is which will be the franchise that shows their faith in him to smile proudly when he reaches the spot.

Other players, who have been performing in the domestic circuit and showed promising returns are listed below classified according to their base price. The list is definitely not exhaustive but exhaustive research has definitely been done.

Base Price INR 50 lakh

Manoj Tiwari - Not the best IPL season in 2018, he may be able to turn his luck this season and might not be a bad bet. His performance in the domestic circuit did not inspire much confidence though.
Varun Aaron - He had a decent year in the domestic circuit and with previous IPL experience, he might get picked considering this might be a lean year for IPL, especially in the case of bowlers on account of the World Cup that follows.
Parvez Rasool - He had a pretty good domestic season with both the ball and part time with the bat. He might turn out to be a rewarding investment with previous IPL experience.

Base Price INR 20 lakh

Varun Chakravarty - This player is rising like a meteor in the sky. His astronomical rise within such short time definitely draws some eyeballs. Word on the street is that he might turn out to be a hot property at the auctions due to the unknown factor. He did not rise through the ranks slogging the domestic circuit, which might turn out to be a blessing in disguise for him. A hefty contract might be on the cards for him.
Aniket Choudhary - At 28 years, with previous IPL experience and more than satisfactory domestic performance, he is a fast-medium bowler from Rajasthan. On the basis of strong footing from the domestic circuit, this year might turn out to be the year where he makes his impression in the IPL.
Saurabh Kumar - At 25 years, he set the domestic circuit on fire this year. Steady performance should make him one of the most sought-after players in the auction. A left-arm orthodox bowler, he might be able to make a mark in teams who are not spin heavy and are in the need of a mystery bowler without much background research available.
Priyank Panchal - At 28 years, he set the Ranji season on fire in 2016/2017 where he contributed to his team Gujarat's first Ranji victory and was the highest run scorer with 1310 runs. This year too, he is among the highest run scorer and has a decent strike rate with an India A call-up to brag about. He might be a good buy for the franchises
TM Ul-Haq - A left arm fast-medium pacer from Rajasthan, at 28 years he is among the highest wicket-takers in the Ranji 2018-19 season till now. Being left-handed might turn the scales in his favour more. He might turn out to be a good pick for the franchises.
Rahul Chahar - He is just 19 years old. His older brother Deepak Chahar at 25 years age made a mark with Chennai Super Kings last year. With a good showing across the domestic circuit, this right arm leg break bowler might break into the T20 scenes with a bang.

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