In just a few weeks from now the IPL will host its Mega Auction as all the franchises will start afresh in their quest to lift next season’s IPL trophy.
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Back in 2008, the Indian Premier League hosted its first auction in which MS Dhoni became the most expensive player with a price tag of $1.5 million.
Now almost a decade later, the IPL teams will return to the drawing board as everyone will be looking to build a new squad of players that should stay with them for many years to come.
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As some of the best players in the world will come under the hammer, we expect to see some staggering figures flying around the auction room. But every auction throws up some surprises as a few big names could go unsold in the auction.
So let’s look at some of the biggest stars that may find it difficult to get a franchise for next season.
4) Angelo Mathews
The Sri Lankan star was meant to be the one who lead the new generation of Sri Lankan cricketers. But injuries and inconsistency have played spoil sport as Angelo Mathews never really exploded into a global superstar.
Blessed with a good physique, Matthews is someone who could be of immense value especially in the T20 format. After playing for the Delhi Daredevils, Mathews in theory should not find it tough to find a new suitor for next year’s auction.
But with his injury record and the fact that he never did perform in the IPL coming into the question, there is a strong possibility that the former Sri Lanka captain will come away empty handed.
3) Irfan Pathan
One of the stars of that historic T20 World Cup team, Irfan Pathan’s career has nose dived since then. The man who was supposed to be India’s answer to Wasim Akram has fallen way down the pecking order for both the national team as well as IPL franchises.
Pathan’s experience with the ball and striking ability with the bat should technically give him plenty of suitors. But his snub was arguably the biggest shock in last year’s auction as no one seemed to want the all-rounder.
Irfan has been trying to get back to some of his best form in the domestic format, as the popular cricketer tries to put himself back in the big leagues. If his base price is reduced, then Pathan should be a handy pick for any team.
2) Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh is one of the most polarizing players in India today. Like Irfan, he still commands a huge legion of fans in the country. But unfortunately for him, his performances of late do not do any justice to them.
One of the poster boys of the first IPL, Yuvraj has never truly dominated the IPL. Yes he has won the tournament with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, but he never truly shone with the bat like he did for India.
With injuries, inconsistency and a lack of fitness all against him, it is tough to see Yuvraj Singh getting a team in the auction. For the sake of his fans all over the world, let’s hope he gets picked by a franchise.
1) Chris Gayle
The Universe Boss is an absolute legend of the game. Chris Gayle has been a huge part of the IPL’s success over the last ten years.
At his best, the hard hitting West Indian was nigh on impossible to stop. He still holds the record for the highest individual score by a single player and is widely regarded as one of the best T20 players in the game’s modest history.
But his shocking performance in last season’s IPL with RCB may have been the death note for the great Jamaican, as it is tough to see anyone wanting to pick Gayle. If he reduces his huge wage demands though, things might still look bright for him.
Otherwise we may not see the Gayle Storm hit the IPL this season!
