5 released players who may go unsold in IPL Auction

Indian Premier League season 12 has set rolling with each team retaining their core players and releasing some players to rebuild their teams. IPL 2019 will be scheduled from the last week of March to mid of may complying to the implications of CoA.

With general elections looming in the summer of 2019, IPL may be shifted from the country as it has happened in 2009 & 2014. Board of Control for Cricket in India are mulling South Africa and the United Arab Emirates as possible options.

As ICC Cricket World Cup is set to happen right after the IPL, teams will be wary of the fact that players availability is subjected to each country and its administrative boards. With each team following their own strategies, player’s auction on December 18 would give a chance to teams redeem themselves and also clearly stating the schedule and venue of the two-month event.

Keeping all these aspects teams have thrown up many a surprise in retention and releasing of Players. Let us look into top 5 released players who may be unsold in the auction.

#1 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh has been released by his home franchise Kings XI Punjab after having a lacklustre season. With 64 runs in seven games in IPL 2018, he was a pale shadow of himself. He was dropped mid-season after failing to create any impact and Punjab's poor performance in the second half couldn't help his cause as well.

It was disappointing to see him possessing the worst strike rate among players with a minimum of 50 balls faced in IPL 2018. The Mohali-based franchise acquired him for his base price of 2 crores after no other franchises showed interest in him.

Given that he hasn't featured in many games in this domestic season, franchises may not show interest in him. The costliest player ever to be brought via player auction in the IPL history may well be in the marquee player list and even if he reduces his base price it is unlike that he will feature in IPL 2019. It could well be the end of the road for Yuvraj Singh.

#2 Mustafizur Rahman

Three-time defending champions Mumbai Indians have released Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. MI acquired the services of the Bangladeshi pacer for just 2.2 cr and he was recognised as the bargain buy of the season as he along with spearhead JaspritBumrah looked best death bowling pair on paper.

But right from the first match where they failed against the onslaught of Dwayne Bravo and he couldn't bring out his A-game to the fore. His history of injury prone career continued as he pulled out of the tournament midway.

He also missed the subsequent series against New Zealand. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has come out with a statement denying Non-Objection Certificate for Mustafizur to play in foreign T20 leagues for the next two years.

He played a key role in the maiden IPL triumph of Sunrisers Hyderabad and hence franchises would love to have such a player. But with board's reluctance in allowing him to play and his injury-ridden career may just be enough for franchises to look for another option.

#3 Mitchell Starc

One of the most lethal left-arm bowlers in the current set of players is Mitchell Starc. But he missed out on the entire season IPL 2018 after suffering from a tibial bone stress.

Kolkata Knight Riders spent about 9.4cr to spearhead their attack but injury prevented him from even wearing the purple and gold jersey. The main reason for releasing Starc is the uncertainty around his availability for the IPL.

IPL 2019 is immediately followed by ICC Cricket World Cup in England, where Australia will be the defending champions. Cricket Australia has announced that their players will be playing the last round of Sheffield Shield games and as well take participate in the World Cup preparatory camp in early May leaving them just 2-3 weeks in IPL.

With his participation in question, teams would be reluctant to buy him as there is a restriction on the cap of foreign players who can part of the squad.

#4 Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir after dropping himself from the team last season is now being released by his franchise Delhi Daredevils. He was acquired to captain the side for 2.8 crores and he was rightfully appointed the captain in a team of youngsters.

But he had a below-par start to the season with only 85 runs in six games. Delhi also lost five out of the six games that he captained. Gambhir as he always does put his team in front of him by stepping down from captaincy and appointing Shreyas Iyer as captain.

Although Gambhir has been in ominous hitting form in the Vijay Hazare trophy with 518 runs in 10 matches which included a quick-fire career-best 151, he is unlikely to be picked by any of the franchises.

With IPL 2019 most likely to happen in South Africa due to general elections, teams will be looking for foreign imports at the top of the order to counter the pace and bounce.

#5 Alex Hales

Alex Hales, despite being one of the consistent performers in the limited overs format he hasn’t been able to create an impact in the IPL. He was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad as like for like replacement for their talisman David Warner.

With top order comprising of David Warner and Kane Williamson who both are the top run scorers of last two seasons respectively, Hales will find it hard to replace them. Also, if there is one chink in the armour of Alex Hales is his struggle against Spin Bowling.

It was clearly evident in the last two series against India, where he kept losing his wicket as soon as spinners came to the fore. Hales has only been part of IPL as replacements for injured players and has been unsold in all his previous auctions.

It appears the trend will continue given the fact that England player’s availability is limited for IPL 2018.