These 8 players from 8 franchises prove variety was the flavour of IPL 2020 auction

#5. Kolkata Knight Riders: Tom Banton (Incredible strokemaker)

Tom Banton

England’s 21-year-old breathtaking strokemaker Tom Banton was expected to be hot property at the IPL auction. It was an anti-climax of sorts that he ended up being sold to Kolkata Knight Riders for his base price of ₹1 crore.

Days prior to the auction, Banton blasted a 41-ball 121 in Queensland’s Grade cricket. Currently turning out for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League, Banton made his mark with 64 from 36 against Melbourne Stars, but couldn’t overpower opposition skipper Glenn Maxwell’s 83 from 39.

Banton has managed only 56 runs in his three T20Is. However, in his overall T20 career he has 727 runs in 22 games at a strike rate of 158.04. The youngster amassed 549 in the Vitality Blast, which included a knock of 100 from 52 balls against Kent.

He was in form in the Abu Dhabi T10 League as well, with two fifties, including a smashing 80 off 28 for Qalandars against Karnataka Tuskers. KKR will have high hopes from Banton in IPL 2020.

#4. Mumbai Indians: Nathan Coulter-Nile (Experienced performer)

Nathan Coulter-Nile

Australian pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile, who scored a record 92 from 60 balls in the World Cup 2019 game against West Indies, was picked up by Mumbai Indians for a whopping ₹8 crore. While many expressed surprise at the defending champion’s decision, Mumbai know very well what Nathan Coulter-Nile can deliver.

Coulter-Nile was purchased by Mumbai in 2013, but played only one match. He, however, had a highly impressive season for Delhi in 2015 with 15 matches in 11 games at a strike rate of 17. In 2017, he again claimed 15 wickets, this time for Kolkata Knight Riders at a strike rate of 11.33.

Coulter-Nile was a part of the original RCB squads for 2018 and 2019 season, but missed both editions due to injury. His IPL record of 36 wickets in 26 games at a strike rate of 15.63 clearly proves he is wicket-taking bowler.