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IPL Auction 2021 will take place on February 18 in Chennai. But before the world's grandest T20 league, several other tournaments are underway in different parts of the globe. Many big names are a part of the Abu Dhabi T10, while the 2020-21 Big Bash League just ended in Australia. Kiwi players also competed in the Dream11 Super Smash over the last few weeks.
With the IPL Auction 2021 less than two weeks away, all franchises would have followed the other T20 leagues closely. They would have also kept an eye on the 2021 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
When it comes to foreign T20 leagues, the Big Bash is one of the best. Players like Joshua Philippe, Daniel Sams, Chris Lynn, Jofra Archer, Andrew Tye, and Kane Richardson have earned IPL contracts in the past after impressing in the BBL.
Here are five top performers from this year's BBL who could earn big at the IPL Auction 2021.
5. Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell returned to the auction pool ahead of IPL Auction 2021. The Kings XI Punjab had spent ₹10.75 crore to sign Maxwell in the previous auction. Unfortunately, the Aussie could not get going in IPL 2020, resulting in his release.
Maxwell returned to form in the 2021 Big Bash League. He played 13 innings for the Melbourne Stars, aggregating 379 runs at an average of 31.58. The Melbourne-based BBL team did not have a memorable season. However, Maxwell's performance was decent.
The Aussie all-rounder was one of the only two batsmen to score over 300 runs for the Stars in BBL 2021. He scored three half-centuries in the competition, smashing 32 boundaries and 17 sixes. Maxwell also picked up seven wickets at an economy rate of 7.66.
His numbers in both departments look up to the mark. Thus, multiple franchises might run after him at IPL Auction 2021.
4. Alex Hales will be in the reckoning
Despite being a T20 specialist, Alex Hales has only played six IPL matches in his career. He was a part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad in IPL 2018, where he aggregated 148 runs in six innings.
The Englishman was at his best in the Big Bash League. He ended the tournament as the leading run-scorer with 543 runs in 15 innings. Hales scored one century and three fifties in the competition.
Hales' strike rate of 161.60 highlights how he dominated the opposition bowlers. It will be interesting to see if he could earn a contract at the IPL Auction 2021.
Click here to see retained players of IPL 2020
3. Tanveer Sangha might be a surprise pick at IPL Auction 2021
Tanveer Sangha recently earned his maiden call-up to the Australian T20I squad. The rising star has an Indian connection. His father, Joga Sangha, hails from Punjab, and Tanveer even toured India during his summer break.
The 19-year-old leggie made his T20 debut in the 2021 Big Bash League. Sangha tormented the opposition batsmen with his leg spin, taking 21 wickets in 15 innings. No other spin bowler could take more wickets than Tanveer in BBL 2021.
Since IPL 2021 will likely happen in India, the franchises will hunt for spinners at IPL Auction 2021. Tanveer Sangha will be a surprise pick because he has played only 15 T20s in his career. The franchises have occasionally invested in young spinners. So, Sangha could receive his first IPL contract at IPL Auction 2021.
2. James Vince
James Vince played a vital role in the Sydney Sixers' successful title defense. The English top-order batsman scored back-to-back 90+ scores for his team in the playoffs round. First, Vince scored an unbeaten 98* in the Qualifier match against the Perth Scorchers.
Next, in the BBL 2021 summit clash, Vince continued his solid form and scored a 60-ball 95. His performance in high-pressure games might attract the franchises.
Vince is a veteran of 241 T20 matches. He has played T20 leagues across the globe. However, an IPL contract has eluded him so far. Perhaps, his long wait could end at IPL Auction 2021.
1. Jhye Richardson
Jhye Richardson was the primary reason behind the Perth Scorchers' success in BBL 2021. The Scorchers finished runners-up this year, and Richardson starred for them with 29 wickets in 17 fixtures. Chennai Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey had praised his bowling skills during BBL 2021.
Since Richardson ended BBL 2021 as the tournament's most successful bowler, quite a few franchises might target him at the IPL Auction 2021. The Mumbai Indians have released most of their overseas pacers, while the Royal Challengers Bangalore need a foreign fast bowler in Dale Steyn and Isuru Udana's absence.
Thus, Jhye Richardson is the number one contender among the top BBL performers to bag a deal at IPL Auction 2021.
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