'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Ahead of the 2017 IPL auctions, all eight franchises released a chunk of their players to fill their pockets for the D-Day on the 4th of February.Some of the quality of players let go by the teams were so high that one could actually turn out a Xi comprising of them.
Here we take a look at that XI:
1.Martin Guptill
If there was one New Zealand player apart from the likes of Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor etc, who has had a major impact in white-ball cricket for the Kiwis it is Martin Guptill.
The right-hander has played a key role for the Blackcaps at the top of the order, but when it comes to the IPL he failed to show the same kind of aggression that he is renowned for and was released by the Mumbai Indians.
2.Unmukt Chand
It is said that some players, after having a great start in their junior careers, take some time to settle down before blossoming into a fine player.
This could be the case also with Unmukt Chand, who was the star for India at the 2012 Under-19 World Cup final, making a century in the final, but has lost his way, since failing to make any significant impact for any of the franchise that he has represented.
He will hope to first get by a new franchise in the upcoming auction and in whatever chances that he gets, will hope to grab them with both hands.
3.Kevin Pietersen
The maverick. The entertainer and above all, a legend. Kevin Pietersen will draw crowds, no matter where he plays in the world. Last season, he was picked by the Rising Pune Supergiants but had to go back home early thanks to an injury.
The franchise released the 36-year-old from their squad and he will hope to get a new buyer and contribute to that new team this upcoming season.
4.Saurabh Tiwary
Another player that the Pune Supergiants let go off. A bit surprising considering how effective Indian players have proven to be in the League's history.
Tiwary may not be a Pollard or Buttler, but Tiwary has the ability to take the singles as well as go for the big hits once settled in and with Indian players showing that they are as important as the overseas professionals, Tiwary could keep his hopes intact for a buyer in the upcoming auction.
5.Corey Anderson
The New Zealand all-rounder proved to be a useful member of the Mumbai Indians, but his value to the side began to take a dip later when he did not bowl as much as he would have liked to.
That meant that with the likes of Kieron Pollard and Jos Buttler already in the squad to provide the all round balance, the two-time champions let go off Anderson prior to the auctions. Perhaps, to remain as a backup option, the franchise may get him back for a cheaper price and if done so, he proves to be an asset or not once again.
6.Aditya Tare
With Naman Ojha proving to be a key member of the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the franchise did the right thing by letting go off Aditya Tare, who could play a more active role with that team.
7.Irfan Pathan
A third member from the Pune Supergiants, who makes the cut in this XI.
You can't but feel apologetic towards Irfan Pathan. In a team, which was losing players by the day thanks to injury, last season, the Baroda all-rounder continued to inexplicably warm the benches and was played only 4 matches for the team.
A player like Pathan can add a lot of value both with bat and ball and hopefully whichever team that picks would utilise him far better than how the Pune franchise did.
8.Pawan Negi
A lot of eyebrows were raised when Pawan Negi was bought by the Delhi Daredevils for a whopping sum of Rs. 8.5 crores.
It was hoped that the reason for buying him for an amount as high as that would be to use him for a large part of the season, but instead, the Daredevils gave Negi a mere 8 matches in the 2016 season.
In the past, Negi has shown himself to be the useful cricketer to have in the team, with the ability to contribute both with bat and ball and hopefully, for a new franchise, he can fulfil his potential in the upcoming season.
9.Karn Sharma
The leg-spinner was one of the key reasons for the Sunrisers Hyderabad to reach the knockouts in the opening season.
He had a good time with the ball in the 2014 season as well, but Sharma's stocks began to dip from the following season and it didn't help him that when someone like a Mustafizur Rahman joined the team last season, his role began to reduce even further with David Warner employing the Bangladeshi sensation at the start as well as at the end overs of an innings.
That though does not take anything away from the skill that Sharma possesses and he will that with a new franchise, he can put in a bigger contribution than he did at the Sunrisers.
10.Morne Morkel
The South African quick was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders and a major reason for that because they tend to play on slow and low wickets at the Eden Gardens and as a result would bank more on the likes of Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav etc.
But like Karn Sharma, there is no reason why if picked for a different franchise, Morkel will not do the job as effectively as he did with the two-time champions.
11.Ishant Sharma
The release of Ishant Sharma should not come as a surprise since the fast bowler has done little of note for India in coloured clothing to retain a place in the team.
