IPL Auctions 2014: 10 most coveted explosive hard-hitting batsmen

T20 is a format tailor-made for big-hitting batsmen and that is merely stating the obvious. The bowlers can be reduced to pieces of furniture on the flat decks that India offers and while an intelligent bowler will always make an impact, good bowling doesn’t necessarily bring corresponding rewards.

This prejudice has become apparent in the retention policies of the franchisees who have made it a point to secure their top order performers. The more popular, and cash-rich, franchisees such as Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have retained their full quota of players which means that they will not be able to flaunt their money and will look at bargain buys instead.

They, as well as most other franchisees, will prioritize catching exceptional top-order and middle order batsmen who can up the ante from the word go or create some magic when the chips are down.

There is an incredible amount of big-hitting talent that will be up for grabs in the upcoming auction scheduled to take place on the 12 February. The evolution of cricket has fostered conditions that is throwing up players who have a wide variety of skills; they can muscle the ball, innovate when required and tackle pressure situations that are not uncommon in such a short, crisp format.

Here is a list of 10 big-hitting batsmen who have proved their credentials either on the international stage or in the previous editions of the Indian Premier League.

10. Yusuf Pathan – India

Yusuf Pathan

Base Price = 2 crore

The fortunes of Yusuf Pathan have oscillated drastically since the inception of the Indian Premier League. The elder of the Pathan brothers was one of the finds of the first edition when he won the title with Rajasthan Royals under the captaincy of Shane Warne.

The right-handed marauder never seemed to struggle for consistently which has been the case in subsequent editions. He was instrumental in that campaign for the Royals and he made a match winning half-century in the final and made vital contributions with the ball as well.

Pathan relishes the prospect of taking on spin in the middle overs of the format but can be used as an aggressive opener at the top of the order as India did in the 2007 T-20 world cup final. He suffered a frustrating campaign with Kolkata Knight Riders but he exhibited glimpses of his talent. He needs a mentor, like Warne was in 2007, who can place trust in his abilities and back him.

9. Marlon Samuels – West Indies

Marlon Samuels

Base Price = 2 crore

The West Indian is an ideal fit for the format but one fears that he will miss out in the auctions due to the unfavorable impression his attitude makes. He has the ability to hit the ball a long way and he has proved his credentials with some match winnings knocks in the past.

He was the leading man for West Indies when they lifted the T20 World Cup; only if he could bring consistency and a gravity in his approach to the game he would be an incomparable asset for any franchisee.

He can also chip in with the ball bowling quicker ones mixed with off-spin bowling. He should be slotted in the lower-middle order and assigned an out-and-out aggressive role allowing him to express himself from the very first delivery.

8. Brad Hodge – Australia

Brad Hodge

Base Price = 2 crore

The veteran Australian proved that age is just a number in the last edition of the Premier league as he smashed the ball everywhere to help Rajasthan win a key match at the play-off stage. He was instrumental in the entire campaign taking to the crease in the last few overs of the innings and getting quickfire runs.

He scored at an average of more than 40.00 runs and remained undefeated 7 times out of his 14 innings which indicates that he played the role of the finisher in a consummate fashion. Hodge’s stature might deceive the viewer but he can pack quite a punch with his shots and it’s all the more impressive that he relishes the challenge of doing so against quality fast bowling.

He is not afraid of pulling and hooking and has a wide range of strokes to put to use. He brings with him loads of experience that is always good to have with so much young talent around.

7. Jesse Ryder – New Zealand

Jesse Ryder

Base Price = 1 crore

The New Zealand opener was tragically missing from the last edition of the Indian Premier League due to a freak incident. He has since made a promising comeback to International Cricket starring in the ODI series against India.

Ryder is a magnificent player to have at the top of the order as he will more often than not give his side a quick start. He makes smart use of the field restrictions in the initial overs hitting over the top of the infield but can easily send the ball all the way.

Ryder will be a great investment for those franchisees who have not retained many players as they will need a quality opening batsmen in their squad. He might also come at an affordable price.

6. George Bailey – Australia

George Bailey

Base Price = 2 crore

The Australian is an ideal T20 middle order batsman. He has the ability to steer the ship in troubled waters and play the anchor role initially ensuring that a respectable total is attained. He also shields the designated power-hitters and while he is not exactly that, he can hit the big balls with great ease.

His big-hitting skills were on full display when he captained the ODI squad for the tour to India in 2013 where he bagged multiple hundreds. Bailey is predominantly a leg-side player but he is comfortable against spin bowling which is a rare quality in a non-sub-continent batsman. He is a leader on the field which is something to look at for the franchisees who are beginning from scratch.

5. Brendon McCullum – New Zealand

Brendon McCullum

Base Price = 2 crore

McCullum shares an intimate relationship with the Indian Premier league. He lit up the platform with an unforgettable knock of 158 runs in the opening match of the inaugural edition against Royal Challengers Bangalore. The Kiwi is going through a period of rejuvenation as he leads the national side through a revival. His confidence is touching the skies and his leadership skills would be welcome to any franchisee.

His versatility with the bat must be mentioned. He can bat as an opener targeting the first line of attack to exploit the field restrictions, he can anchor the middle order or perform the role of the big-hitting match winner coming lower down the order. One expects a bidding war over his name when the auctions begin.

4. Aaron Finch – Australia

Aaron Finch

Base Price = 1 crore

Finch was a part of the unfortunate Pune Warriors franchisee in the last edition and even as their campaign miserably flagged, the swashbuckling opener made his mark with a couple of outstanding knocks. He has since made his entry into the national side with great distinction.

Finch is a evidently a player of limited capabilities but he seems to have gained a maturity that shows in his shot selection, his patience against the new ball which is allowing him to play longer, match winning innings.

The likes of Chris Gayle and David Warner have proved that a potent opener is the best weapon in a T20 side and Finch seems to have the credentials to emulate them.

3. Corey Anderson – New Zealand

Corey Anderson

Base Price = 1 crore

The left-handed all-rounder is cricket’s most recent indulgence. He broke the long-standing fastest century record of Shahid Afridi by smashing a ton of just 36 balls. He is an equally talented bowler which means that he has the most to offer in the upcoming auctions.

The media has already tipped him to the biggest catch in the upcoming auctions even though his base price is 1 crore. His lack of international experience will not cause any hesitation as his performances against the West Indies and India have amply demonstrated his area of strengths.

He can play the kind of role that Kieron Pollard plays for Mumbai Indians. He gets going from the very first ball which is an advantage in a 20-over format where every dot ball can make a drastic difference to the equation. Anderson might not be able to target all parts of the ground but when you have power and wit to assist you, big shots can be manufactured.

2. David Warner – Australia

David Warner

Base Price = 1.5 crore

Warner is a seasoned IPL campaigner and it came as a surprise when Delhi Daredevils chose not retain him (or any players for that matter). Warner was one of the few batsmen who made a contribution in the disastrous last season. He has gone through an extremely successful period with the bat with Australia playing the protagonist in Australia’s Ashes triumph.

Warner has the ability to settle very quickly, assess the bowler’s strengths and weaknesses in the blink of an eye and capitalize on anything loose thrown in his range. He can pull, drive and slog with equal ease. He will definitely be the subject of a bidding war and Delhi may choose to exercise their right-to-match joker card for him.

1. Yuvraj Singh – India

Yuvraj Singh

Base Price = 2 crore

The Indian southpaw has not shared the best relationship with the Indian premier league inspite of beginning on a high note with Kings XI Punjab in the first edition. His international performances, however, have proved it beyond doubt that there is none who can time the ball better when smashing them to rooftops.

Even the fact of his lack of form must be ignored in the face of his T20 exploits. This might be the ideal platform for him to regain some confidence as there will be a lot less pressure on him, and a lot less price on his wicket.

There are very few players in the game who never lose their shape when they slog in crunch situations. Yuvraj has the ability to hit the ball in all directions and has every shot in the book that makes the job of containment so difficult for any bowler.