IPL Auction 2020: 5 unsold wicket-keepers who could return as replacements

The auction for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 season held in Kolkata last month saw 62 players being sold, 29 of them overseas. From experienced players to youngsters, players with varied skills sets walked away with handsome salaries. While Aussie fast bowler Pat Cummins ruled the roost with Rs 15.5 crore, newbies like Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rs 2.4 crore), Virat Singh and Priyam Garg (Rs 1.9 crore) also managed to make a decent impact. Irrespective of the format, wicket-keepers remain a crucial part of the game. At the 2020 auction, Australia’s aggressive keeper-batsman Alex Carey was purchased by Delhi Capitals for a significant sum of Rs 2.4 crore while Anuj Rawat was sold to Rajasthan Royals for Rs 80 lakh. On the other hand, Prabhsimran Singh was purchased by Kings XI Punjab for Rs 55 lakh. A number of prominent wicket-keepers though went unsold. Let’s look at some who can come back as replacements.

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#5. Matthew Wade

Matthew Wade has impressive numbers in the Big Bash League for Hobart Hurricanes

Australia’s wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade, who last played the IPL back in 2011, went unsold at a base price of Rs 1 crore. He played three matches for Delhi Capitals in 2011, but managed to score only 33 runs at a strike rate of 66.66. Wade’s fortunes though have improved significantly in recent times. Wade has impressive numbers in the Big Bash League for Hobart Hurricanes. In 57 matches, he has scored 1,399 runs at a strike rate of 136.22 with nine fifties. Wade has four player of the match awards to his name, which reiterates his impact player status.

Also see – BBL Most Wickets

His impressive run in domestic cricket also earned him a Test recall, in which he has tasted success, striking an aggressive century against England at The Oval and a half-century against Pakistan at Brisbane. With some luck, he might make an IPL comeback as well.

#4. Heinrich Klaasen

Heinrich Klaasen is a clean hitter of the ball

South Africa’s wicket-keeper bat, Heinrich Klaasen did not find any takers at a base price of Rs 50 lakh. Klaasen made his first impression at the international stage when he smashed an unbeaten 43 from 27 as South Africa chased down 202 in 28 overs in a rain-affected ODI against India at Johannesburg in February 2018. Klaasen again stunned India, this time with 69 from 30 balls, clattering seven sixes as the Proteas successfully overpowered a target of 189 in a T20I at Centurion during the same series. Captaining Tshwane Spartans, he came up with some sparking cameos in the Mzansi Super League. The clean-hitter has a noteworthy T20 record - 1,398 runs in 78 games at a strike rate of 137.59. Klaasen has managed six half-centuries at an average of 27.41 with a best of 77*.

He could definitely be among the contenders in case franchises needed replacement keepers.

#3. Tim Seifert

Tim Seifert has a high strake rate in T20s

Indians would not forget Tim Seifert’s name in a hurry. The New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman brought a high-flying Indian outfit down to earth with a blazing 84 from 43 balls, hitting six sixes in the T20I at Wellington in February last year. He followed it up with 43 from 25 at Hamilton as New Zealand clinched the series 2-1 with a close 4-run triumph. At the IPL auction though, Seifert went unsold at a base price of Rs 50 lakh.

The 25-year-old is doing well for Northern Districts in the Super Smash. He hit 75 from 49 (9 fours, 3 sixes) against Auckland at Hamilton in a 28-run triumph, and followed it up with 54 from 31 balls against Otago at Alexandra in a losing cause. Seifert is considered one of the most dangerous hitters on the New Zealand T20 scene with 1,396 in 75 games at a strike rate of 135.66, including one hundred and five fifties. At his base price, he was a steal , buut could yet make an appearance in the IPL.

#2. Kusal Perera

Kusal Perera is an option for teams looking for a keeper-batsman

Sri Lanka’s aggressive keeper-batsman Kusal Perera also remained unsold at the IPL 2020 auction, having a base price of Rs 50 lakh. The man who had modelled his game on the country’s giant Sanath Jayasuriya, made an impression with his clean hitting on the big stage. There is no reason why he can’t replicate the same at the IPL level.

Even as Sri Lanka were whitewashed 3-0 in the T20Is in Australia late last year, Perera stood up with a 45-ball 57 at Melbourne, against an attack comprising Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. And, who can forget that magical 153* in the Durban Test versus South Africa?

He also had a good time in the Abu Dhabi T10 League, blasting 43 from 18 for Delhi Bulls against Bangla Tigers in a tied encounter, and an unbeaten 45 from 27 against Maratha Arabians. Perera has produced fine numbers in his T20 career thus far -2,127 runs in 96 games at a strike rate of 131.94 with 18 fifties and is a good replacement option for a wicketkeeper-batsman, should the need arise.

#1. Glenn Phillips

Newly debuted in Tests, Glenn Phillips is a special talent

Glenn Phillips is presently in the news after being handed a Test debut for New Zealand against Australia in the New Year Test at Sydney. Phillips got his cap earlier than expected as a number of big Kiwi names, including skipper Kane Williamson, are suffering from fitness and illness issues.

At the IPL auction, Phillips went unsold at a base price of Rs 50 lakh. A hard-hitting top-order batsman, Phillips blasted an unbeaten 106 from 61 balls (8x4, 6x6) playing for Auckland against Otago last month in the Super Smash. Although Auckland went on to lose the clash, Phillips demostrated that he’s a special talent. It was in the Super Smash that Phillips rose to prominence. He was the leading run-getter in the 2016-17 season with 369 runs, including a knock of 116 from 57 balls. In his T20 career, Phillips has 2,134 runs in 76 games at a strike rate of 136.09 with as many as three hundreds to go with his 14 fifties.