IPL Auctions 2018: 5 New Zealand players who could start a bidding war

#3 Neil Wagner

Neil Wagner could be a surprise pick in the upcoming auction

One of the best exponents of the short ball in world cricket at the moment, Neil Wagner has fought tooth and nail to get out of the massive shadow cast by New Zealand's pace spearheads Trent Boult and Tim Southee.

Although a Test specialist by trade, Wagner has a skillset that can be adapted to any format and any condition. He has never played an ODI or T20I for his country, but what better way to make it into the national team than proving your credentials in the most lucrative T20 league in the world.

In 68 T20 matches for his domestic side, Wagner has an economy rate of over 8 which is on the more expensive side, but he is a proven wicket-taker, as evidenced by his 73 scalps.

With top-quality international bowlers hard to come by on the cheap, Wagner, listed at INR 50 lakhs, could be the saving grace for any franchise owner that happens to have an ear open when his name is announced.