5 Players from other leagues who are hot picks in IPL auction

T20 Cricket was introduced by the England Cricket Board to bring back people to the stadiums as they seemed to lose interest in Tests and ODIs in the early 2000s. The move proved decisive as youngsters and working people came back to the stadiums to watch the three-hour entertainment. India's triumph in World T20 in 2007, led to the birth of a city-based franchise league in the name of Indian Premier League.

Commercial and entertainment factors made the world watch in awe as people and money came pouring into the game. With these leagues proving to be a money-spinner, cricket boards started their own leagues and popularity of the game increased like never before all over the world. New players came into the limelight with great performances over the years in these leagues and went onto represent their country. Let us look such players who could be in for high demand in the auction.

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#1 Varun Chakravarthy - Tamil Nadu Premier League

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy

Varun Chakravarthy, an unknown name even in Tamil Nadu cricketing circles made everyone to notice his bowling skills as he helped his franchise Siechem Madurai Panthers clinch their maiden TNPL crown. Coming into the tournament, Madurai were winless in the tournament history and were looking for a complete revamp to change their fortunes.

This mystery spinner was their first pick in the draft. He was impeccable with his line and length as batsmen found it hard to score against him. Having bowled the most no. of overs in the tournament (40), his economy rate was just 4.7 runs per over.

He was a net bowler during IPL for the only match played in Chennai. He impressed Knight Riders Skipper Dinesh Karthik as Varun was called for KKR nets and received valuable inputs from Sunil Narine's coach Carl Crowe. With his base price at 20 lakhs, he will be in the radar for most of the franchises.

#2 Hazratullah Zazai - Afghanistan Premier League

Zazai became the third player to hit six sixes in an over

If there is one faction that has benefitted from the advent of various leagues then it has to be the Associate and Affiliate nations with Afghanistan growth is something that even they wouldn't have predicted. 2018 saw another feather to their cap as Afghanistan Premier League was launched.

The tournament saw some scintillating performances with a 20-year-old Hazratullah Zazai shinning bright with his big hitting skills. Representing Kabul Zwanan, he scored a swashbuckling 124 off 55 balls. He then smashed six sixes in an over en route to equal the record of fastest fifty off 12 balls.

He scored 322 runs at a strike rate of 193.97 taking his team to the finals. Having made a similar impact in his short international career, franchises will target the southpaw to provide them blistering some starts at the top. With a base price of 50 lakhs, he could be a valuable pick.

#3 Hardus Viljoen - T10 League

Hardus Viljoen bowled economic spells in T10 league

United Arab Emirates hosted the second edition of T10 league which saw some unbelievable big hitting. Runs galore in the tournament as bowlers were taken for a hiding. But few players did put up an impressive show in a rather tough tournament.

None was more impressive than the Man of the tournament, South African Hardus Viljoen. The tall fast bowler was the highest wicket-taker with 18 to his name while the second best is Dwayne Bravo with 10. His economy rate of 7.7 was way ahead of the tournament average of 11.6.

With the availability of international players limited this season, teams will be looking for some valuable imports in the auction. Viljoen could play the entire tournament as he is unlikely to play the World Cup and if South Africa is chosen as hosts for IPL, his presence would boost the bowling unit of any team.

#4 Reeza Hendricks - Mzansi Super League

Hendricks En route to his 100

Reeza Hendricks didn't have a fruitful start to his international career. Having made his debut 2014, he hasn't been able to secure a place. But 2018 could be the year that could change it all. Hendricks playing for Jozi stars in Mzansi Super League in South Africa have fired all cylinders at the top of the order.

He has been providing some blistering starts for his team which included two consecutive centuries. His current form may hold good come the 18th of December. With a base price of 50 lakhs, teams will go for the right-hand batsman keeping in mind that South Africa could probably play host for season 12 due to general elections.

His versatility and probable home advantage will make owners to hire his services as he can open the batting as well as come in the middle to be that finisher in the death overs.

#5 Khary Pierre - Carribean Premier League

Khary Pierre had a memorable CPL

West Indies is one country that has always thrown up some exciting players through their T20 league who have gone onto rule other leagues. The likes of Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, and Samuel Badree are prime examples. 2018 edition of Carribean Premier League was no different as many new players came to the fore.

Khary Pierre, the man of the match in the finals of the CPL T20 is one such exciting prospect. He bowled those nagging lines that kept the batsman in-check in the powerplays. With an economy rate of 5.65, he was one of the keys for the success of Tribango Knight Riders.

He could be that utility player that franchises were looking for as he can give some lusty blows at the death. With the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Oshane Thomas honing the limelight among Windies, Pierre could prove to be the dark horse.