IPL auction 2020: Predicting the top 5 buys

#3 Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer

A dashing 22-year-old West Indian, Shimron Hetmyer’s special ability with the bat is no secret in cricketing circles. However, his spectacular knock at Chennai was perfectly timed, as it came just days before the IPL auction and served a strong reminder to the franchises.

Hetmyer put the Indian attack to the sword with 139 from 106 balls, hitting 11 fours and seven sixes, as West Indies chased down 288 with ease.

Hetmyer, in fact, has been in very good form during the ongoing tour in India. He scored 56 from 41 in the first T20I at Hyderabad, and 41 from 24 in the decider at Mumbai. These numbers would come into focus as the franchises look for impact players.

Hetmyer’s love for Indian conditions could also work in his favour. During Windies’ last tour of India in 2018, he hit 106 from 78 in the Guwahati ODI, and 94 from 64 at Visakhapatnam in the tied encounter.

With a base price of Rs. 50 lakh, Hetmyer, who was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore after scoring 90 runs in five games, should be in high demand at the auction.