IPL 2014 Auctions: 6 most coveted fast bowlers

The impending auction for the Indian Premier League is likely to act as a savoury appetizer prior to a glorious many-coursed meal that will be served later this year.

The T20 bonanza has changed the face of cricket in India, and globally too in a limited sense, and the model of squad management which allows auctions as well as player retention options ensures that the tournament will have a freshness which will not necessarily mean a sense of discontinuity. The franchisees have already retained a core group of players and the auction will be held on 12th February in Bangalore.

The manner in which franchisees have retained their players betrays a clear bias towards the willow. Top batsmen and all rounders who can wield the long-handle in crunch situations have earned first preference even as the other equally significant face of the coin has been relatively neglected.

Dale Steyn and Lasith Malinga, of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians respectively, are the only two prominent fast-bowlers who have been retained in a format that is perhaps the most challenging. The cruelty intrinsic to the format is compounded by the flat, dry nature of Indian pitches and the increasingly shorter boundaries. Even the sweet spot of the cricket bat has expanded to the extent that mishits are frequently seen flying past fielders who are reduced to staring spectators.

While the hegemony of the overpowering willow may not be soon contested, the very dominance of the bat means that skilled bowlers will become prized commodities in the auction process. Lasith Malinga has tormented the batsmen in previous editions of the Indian Premier League with his pointed toe-biting yorkers and deceptive slower ones.

No batsmen relishes the challenge of a furious looking Dale Steyn pacing up with the first over as if he is determined to knock your head off. The danger of a good fast bowler will remain whatever the nature of the format. It is a pity that many talented Pakistan bowlers will not be a part of the auction but still there is enough talent in the pool to attract the franchisees.

The fact that the present core retained players do not include many fast bowlers means that this department will be targeted in the initial rounds of the auction. Here is a list of five bowlers who might be the most coveted when the hammers begin to come down:

5. Mohit Sharma

Mohit Sharma

Base Price = 1 crore

The fact that most franchisees have already decided to retain a number of top foreign players, the cap of four foreign players in the starting eleven, will loom large in the mind of the bidding participants. The domestic talent is likely to benefit from such an occurence and prior experience is a massive advantage for someone like Mohit Sharma.

The speedster from Haryana had an impressive 2013 as he came into prominence with a series of consistent performances for a top side like the Chennai Super Kings. He picked up 20 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of less than 6.50 runs per over in the previous edition.

These figures become more striking placed in the context that the likes of Malinga and Mitchell Johnson gave runs at more than 7.0 runs per over. Only Dale Steyn was scored of at less than 6.0 runs per over in IPL 2013.

Mohit Sharma also made his debut for India last year against Zimbabwe and recorded a number of decent performances. He is a player of limited abilities who swings the ball up-front and relies on accuracy, consistency and intelligence instead of pace. In the hands of a gifted leader like MS Dhoni, Sharma was able to punch above his weight as he utilized Sharma’s full quota of overs when he made inroads into the opposition top order.

His ability to handle pressure at the death is less known as he does not have a wealth of options. His previous performances, street-smart attitude and domestic performances are likely to make him a much demanded player in the auction.

4. Chris Morris/Morne Morkel

Morne Morkel

Base Price = 1 crore and Base Price = 1.5 crore respectively

Two South Africans find a place in our list and both deserve a place in the extravaganza due to their prior successful participation. Morne Morkel has been Dale Steyn’s partner in crime for the Proteas for a while and boasts of substantial experience in the IPL. He was at his peak in the 2012 season when he picked up 25 wickets in 16 matches at an impressive average of 18.0 with the Delhi Daredevils.

He suffered together with his team last year as Delhi Daredevils struggled through the campaign. His bowling style is not naturally suited to the T-20 format as he relies upon the orthodox tools of a Test match practitioner like extra bounce of the wicket, seam movement and operates by creating pressure at one end.

His natural length is short of a good length which is attacked by most batsman in a format that doesn’t pray at the altar of elegance. However, his pace and menacing ability to push the batsmen on back foot ensures that he can be quite a handful with his first burst.

Morkel’s compatriot Chris Morris is a more subtle operator. He enjoyed a successful debut season with Chennai Super Kings in 2013 and made inroads into the national side as well. Morris is suited to the shorter format of the game as he can operate during different stages of the game and adapt accordingly.

He can swing the ball up-front, the out-swinger being his stock delivery, provide a breakthrough in the middle overs shackling the run-rate or even mix it up with slower ones at the fag end of the innings. That explains a higher economy rate but for being a go-to bowler and providing critical breakthroughs, he should command a good price at the auction this year.

3. Mitchell McClenaghan

Mitchell McClenaghan

Base Price = 30 lakh

We will stick our necks out with this one and propose that the Kiwi pace bowler will make a mark at the auctions this year. McClenaghan has emerged as a serious competitor in the last year and has consolidated that position with admirable performances against India early in 2014. The tall left-handed bowler deserves a taste of T-20.

He has emerged as a dependable and much-trusted option for Brendan McCullum who is heading an exciting revival for the New Zealand ODI side.

His ODI figures give a good indication of the form that he has been displaying at the highest level. He has picked up 48 wickets in 22 matches at an economy of less than 6 runs per over. He may not be a proved commodity in Indian conditions but given his low pricing at 30 lakhs, he will be well worth the investment.

He uses his height to great effect and has many weapons to rely upon in crunch situations. He is an experienced campaigner at age 27, a seasoned domestic performer, and it will be a pity if he goes unsold.

2. Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami

Base Price = 1 crore

The Indian fast-bowler has emerged unscathed from testing conditions. A period of sustained and intense pressure has forced a number of Indian bowlers into surrender in the recent past. The likes of Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Vinay Kumar have failed to make a consistent impact at the highest level but Md. Shami has all the qualities to pass that test.

He made a definite mark with his exploits against West Indies in Tendulkar’s farewell series but more importantly passed stern tests in South Africa and New Zealand. His strength is the ability to bowl quick and accurate. He has a more than decent yorker that holds a T-20 campaigner in good stead as we have seen in the past.

He has been on the margins of the Indian Premier league thus far but this will definitely be his breakthrough season. The fact that he has grabbed the limelight with his performances for the national side means that he will be on the wish-list of many franchisees and should command an impressive price.

Shami is not a bit part bowler who will look to contain and worry about his economy rates; he is a fierce competitor who likes to do the job himself by bringing in the lbw and bowled dismissals into play and T20 suits such a campaigner. He will be a massive temptation in the upcoming auctions and a bargain at whatever price.

1. Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson

Base Price = 2 crore

It came as a surprise to many that defending champions Mumbai Indians chose not to retain Mitchell Johnson in spite of his Ashes exploits late last year. He single-handedly demolished a stable, decorated English side with his ferocious bowling that has a lot more than pure skill to it.

Johnson is a player who lives and dies by his confidence and now that he has realized his talents with distinction there is a distinct possibility that his career graph will take a steep upward turn.

He can unleash raw pace at the batsman and be unplayable on his day. He can be used either at the head of the innings to break through the top order or in multiple one over spells as a wicket taking option.

It is significant to note that Johnson regained much of his confidence that led to his Ashes exploits against India in the ODI series late in 2013. Under the captaincy of George Bailey he allowed himself to concentrate on pace and aggression.

He was successful campaigner in IPL 2013 even before this turn-around picking up 24 wickets in 17 matches for Mumbai Indians. Imagine what he may be able to do in 2014!