The Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy was a high-profile domestic T20 tournament this year. The tournament was also a platform for the country’s cricketers to get into the groove before the Indian Premier League (IPL) which starts from April 5.
While some failed to shine, some with their brilliant performances in the tourney got themselves in the IPL auction scheduled for February 20th in Bengaluru.
Someone like a Gautam Gambhir who has been retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders came good with the bat, but there were quite a few who put in brilliant performances in the tournament but have not been retained by their IPL franchises.
These players are sure to attract a lot of bidders when they go under the hammer in Monday’s auction.
Let us look at the top 5 players from the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy who might go for big bucks.
#5 Irfan Pathan
Though he is not the pacy swing bowler that he used to be in his 20s, Irfan is a wily old veteran. He knows his limitations and therefore doesn’t try too fancy with the ball or the bat.
He did not start off well in the tournament as he picked up 1/39 and scored just 4 with the bat against Central Zone. But in the next game against West Zone, he bounced back into form and cleaned up the likes of the dangerous Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant and Yuvraj Singh.
As a result of his spell of 3/10, West Zone only managed to score 107, which was quite easily chased down by Pathan’s side.
In the next game against South Zone, Pathan scored 26 with the bat to help his side get to a respectable total of 141. But then he could not help his side win the game.
Though many would say he has had an average outing in the games as his figures suggest, Pathan was unlucky at times. He deserved a lot more wickets for his efforts with the leather.
We are quite sure the various franchises have followed him with great interest and it will be interesting to see if there will be a bidding war to rope him in.
#4 Murugan Ashwin
While he hasn’t been at his wicket taking best, the mystery spinner from South Zone has been a miser with runs. The Tamil Nadu tweaker has picked just three wickets in the tournament but his bowling figures read 2/24, 0/36, 1/27 and 1/23.
Prior to the tournament too he had a brilliant economy rate for his state team in the Inter-State T20s.
Ashwin was a brilliant wicket taker last season which prompted the Rising Pune Supergiants to buy him for 4.5 crores.
But after the first few matches captain, MS Dhoni lost his faith on the tweaker and he was made to warm the benches. After the tournament, the franchise did not retain him.
Given the fact that he is leaking very few runs, a few franchises might opt to give him a go and therefore he might of some interest on Monday.
#3 Vishnu Vinod
This 23-year-old is creating quite a buzz before the Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions this year. Vinod missed out in his first game in the tournament but then smashed a 20-ball 36 against West Zone in a chase to get his side off to a flier.
He continued his striking form today where he again tonked his way to a 15-ball 31 before getting out caught.
Prior to this tournament, he was quite brilliant for Kerala in the Inter-State T20s. Overall from 10 T20s, he has scored 307 runs at 34.11 with a strike rate of 138.91.
He was also the fifth-highest run-getter in the Inter-State T20s with 199 at 49.75 and a strike rate of 164.46. The right-hander smashed 14 sixes in the tournament, more than any other batsman.
Now you know, why he is the talk of the town, and why bidders can go to war to rope in the youngster.
#2 Virat Singh
Virat was one of the main reasons why East Zone won the trophy this year. In the two games, he played he helped his side get off to a flyer with scores of 74 not out and an unbeaten 52 today.
Yes, such has been his form that he remained unconquered in both matches. The best thing about the left-hander from Jharkhand is that he is a fearless striker of the cricket ball. He is short and thin in stature but packs a punch when he middles the leather.
On both occasions in the tourney, Virat got to the scores while chasing targets. His ability to shift gears at will has also contributed to his success.
Prior to the tournament, he was in sizzling form in the Inter-State T20s. The 19-year-old is surely going to be a player to watch out for in the auction. We will not be surprised if he is roped in with a ransom.
#1 Ishank Jaggi
The 28-year-old was not even on the auction list for IPL 2017. But his form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy got him the last minute place there today.
Jaggi has been the best player so far in the tournament and was the main reason why East Zone were crowned champions.
The Jharkhand batter scored 204 runs from four matches averaging 68. His best was 90 which he struck against South Zone.
Today, while chasing a total of 149/5 against West Zone, Jaggi was merciless. He came out to bat with the score reading 61/1 and then by the time he got out his side were 141/2.
En route to his 30-ball 56, the right-hander struck 6 sixes and three boundaries to help his side clinch the title.
Jaggi will surely be one of the most sought after players in the auctions and we expect him to rake in the moolah.
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