5 players who will attract maximum interest in the IPL 2015 auction

The IPL Auction – 2015 is scheduled to be held in a few days time on 16th February. The IPL Auction can be divided into two types – the triennial big auction and the supporting annual ones. The big one happened last year (2014) where more than 500 players from around the world went under the hammer. All franchisees built their squads for the next three seasons.The subsequent low budget auctions after the big triennial auction contain a lesser number of players and are usually low key affairs compared to the big one. The small auctions are usually held to let franchisees get backups to the main players and set right any minor wrongs in their strategies. The 2015 auction was supposed to fall into the small auction category.But, unfortunately for the teams and fortunately for the fans, quite a few teams seem unhappy with the squad at their disposal and are looking into the 2015 auction to overhaul their squad after a disappointing season last time around. Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad are two teams who will be the most active in the auction. Having released a lot of players ,they will look to buy players in the auction with a different strategy.Other teams will probably look to add depth to their squad and iron out any weaknesses. All these factors combined together have spiced up the IPL Auction, 2015 with quite a few big name players set to go under the hammer. Here are 5 players who will attract maximum attention at the 2015 IPL Auction:Honorable Mentions: Ross Taylor, Aaron Finch, Eoin Morgan, Darren Sammy and Murali Vijay

#5 Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik has now joined the list of forgotten men of Indian Cricket. He is probably the biggest victim of the Dhoni effect along with others like Robin Uthappa and Parthiv Patel. He has been a consistent performer in the Ranji Trophy over many years and is a solid keeper apart from being a very good batsman.

In the IPL as well, he has proved to be a top-notch option when it comes to a wicket-keeper batsman. An Indian wicket-keeper who bats in the top order is a rare commodity and there will be a lot of interest to acquire his services.

#4 Hashim Amla

It is good news for all cricket fans – The man for all seasons and formats, Hashim Amla has enrolled himself into the IPL Auction and is sure to attract interest. Amla has been accumulating runs and records at a never before seen pace. What is really impressive is his consistency and ability to score runs on any kind of pitch. For a man regarded as a Test match specialist, his one day career has been exemplary so far. He has the record of being the fastest man to 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 runs in one day cricket!

Not the most flashy or eye catching player, he has a strike rate that is up there with the best. He may not come across as a quintessential T20 player, but every team (even in T20s) needs a player who will get off to a quick start, score at an acceptable rate and keep one end stable for power hitters to do their thing without the fear of a collapse in mind. Underrated one day players Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis have done it in the past and in today's times there is none better than Hashim Amla to fill that role.

#3 Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen's career is filled with ‘what ifs’. He was one of the most devastating match winners in his prime. But rifts, poor attitude and a host of controversies has curtailed his International career. KP is now one of those T20 freelancers, globetrotting to different parts of the world to play domestic T20 competitions.

Pietersen has a phenomenal record in International T20s as well as domestic, with the recent Big Bash continuing that trend. IPL 2014 just did not work for him as perhaps he was still psychologically seething from the effects of the England debacle. Captaining the team only added to the problems, he's never been known to be a great captain.

But, without a leash on him, he will win games consistently and can be the backbone of the team coming in at number 3 where he will get more time to influence the game. Having also displayed great form in the Big Bash League (BBL) recently, he is sure to attract interest from many franchisees.

#2 Yuvraj Singh

Fate has not been kind to Yuvraj Singh. After being India's best player and best player of the tournament in the 2011 World Cup, he was looking to kick on to bigger things. But the battle with cancer followed after which he was perhaps sentimentally rushed back into the national team at a time when he was not ready yet.

Now when he does look mentally and physically ready and in some sort of cricketing form, he finds himself overlooked from the World Cup squad. IPL 2015 represents a huge opportunity for Yuvraj to set things right again and come back into national reckoning. Let's not forget, he still has a few good years left in cricket.

The costliest buy at the 2014 auction, he had a season full of ups and downs and has generally never really impressed in the IPL. But it's not too late! For an Indian player of his calibre, experience and talent, there are bound to be quite a few suitors vying for his services.

#1 Angelo Mathews

Angelo Mathews is essentially 3 players in one – an astute captain, a good finisher and a capable first/second change bowler. He would walk straight into most of the IPL teams right now and it will be no surprise if a team like Delhi Daredevils will go all out to buy him in the auction. He is the sort of player you can build your squad around.

He has performed very well for Sri Lanka over the past few years and has been captaining the side with aplomb. He is a player who thrives in pressure situations. His qualities come to the fore mainly in run chases where he can assess the situation of the game to perfection and pace his inning to get the team to the finish line. There will surely be a lot of interest to acquire his services.