5 players from the 'minnows' who deserve to get an IPL contract

The group stage has flown by and in the years of World Cup cricket to come, it might well be considered the most important one in cricket's history. That will partly be because cricket’s governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), timed their belief in fewer teams (and by extension, only the top 10 teams) at the 2019 World Cup poorly, bringing about spirited cricket from teams traditionally known as minnows during the World Cup. Indeed, it brought about performances of such calibre that come the next World Cup, the measure of whom we consider minnows will be tougher to call than whom we consider favourites. Another consequence of this surge from the minnows could be that the Indian Premier League (IPL), the most high-profile T20 league in the world, might start to look at these players as viable options considering the fact that they won't be as expensive as the players from the top teams and yet could have the same impact. This collection of players might be a good place to start:

#1 Brendan Taylor

Arguably the greatest batsman from the minnows over the last decade, the farewell Brendan Taylor received after his last match for Zimbabwe, against India, provides testimony to the high regard that Taylor is held in among cricketing circles.

Taylor was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad during the 2014 IPL auctions, but he, unfortunately, didn’t get to play a single game for the franchise. Over the last couple of years, he has batted better than he ever has, and with his decision to now become a “Kolpak” player and end his international career, the 29-year-old can be an extremely useful player in the IPL. His ability is also backed by impressive career stats which show that he can also be destructive, a side of him that has seldom been on display thanks to the need to more often than not consolidate the innings when playing for Zimbabwe.

Given the fact that he is also a reliable wicketkeeper and a fairly strong leader, Taylor is a valuable cricketer that will enhance any side in the world.

#2 Shaiman Anwar

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) had few things to write home about during the World Cup, losing all 6 matches in the group stages by emphatic margins. Shaiman Anwar, however, was a huge positive.

Anwar characterizes all the things we love about underdogs: instinct and fearlessness. He showed this in plenty against Zimbabwe first, and then Ireland, before following it up against Pakistan. What stood out was the ease with which he scored runs. While those around him, understandably, struggled against quality bowling, Shaiman was a picture of comfort and that alone is enough to suggest that he belongs to the international level.

#3 Hamid Hassan

Every once in a while, a seemingly outstanding fast bowler comes along, blessed with all the skills required to be a top-notch bowler. Unfortunately, though, not everyone with the ability succeeds at the top level, mainly due to the unavoidable fact that they are always prone to injuries. Afghanistan’s Hamid Hassan definitely seems like having the requisite skills, but his nationality means that he will always have it tough.

Hassan is, by far, the best fast bowler among all the Associate teams, and it’ll be hard to argue if anybody says that he could make it to any team across the sub-continent. He, after all, averages 20.54 with a strike rate of 27.4 in ODIs and 14.45 at an economy of 6.14 in T20Is.

He didn’t have a World Cup that justifies his ability, but his wrecking of the Sri Lankan top-order will be remembered for a while. He is quick by all measures and has been heroic to Afghanistan’s cause, albeit without a lot of recognition; but what is the IPL, if not a munificent distributor of identity?

#4 George Dockrell

George Dockrell must be the youngest senior player in international cricket at the moment. At 22 years old, he has already been a part of 2 World Cups in a career that is already past half a decade old. His trade? What Pietersen would call pie-chucking! But we’ve come to learn that’s not an insult anymore.

Dockrell is in the mould of a certain Ray Price; slow-left-arm, and not easy to put away. With his accuracy, Dockrell is a very effective limited-overs bowler, and as a regular for Somerset in county cricket, is not averse to pressure. He would be a handful in Indian conditions.

#5 Sean Williams

One Zimbabwean started the list and Sean Williams, symbolically, is the finisher here.

Williams is another player who - geographical conditions notwithstanding - would have been far more popular. He has all the features of a modern-day middle-order batsman – elastic wrists, an extra gear, and a propensity to play unorthodox shots. Like Brendan Taylor, Williams has been forced to play a subdued role for Zimbabwe, but he does it with some maturity.

Only Taylor scored more runs for Zimbabwe in the World Cup; Williams notched up 339 runs at 67.8 and a strike rate well above 100. Williams also boasts the ability to be an economic fifth bowler and has a particularly good record in T20 cricket.

He could end up as a modern great for Zimbabwe by the time he is done, and we can only wonder what sort of an impact he would have in the IPL for now.