IPL 2019: 3 English all-rounders to watch out for

The IPL is the biggest and most popular T20 league in the world. The 12th edition of the tournament - IPL 2019 - will start on March 23rd, and will be played entirely in India. The complete schedule is yet to be announced.

This IPL, the highest number of overseas players are from West Indies and Australia, 12 each, followed by England (11). Out of the 11 English players, 6 are all-rounders and 3 are wicket-keeper batsmen. Rajasthan Royals, with 4, have the most English players.

England’s domestic circuit is very well organised, and they have always produced talented and dynamic cricketers. There are some new English faces who will make their IPL debut this year.

On the other hand, 7 English players remained unsold in the auction, including big names such as Alex Hales, Chris Jordan and Chris Woakes.

ECB and Cricket Australia have confirmed that most of their players have to return home for World Cup preparations, and that they will not be available in the IPL from May 1st onwards. With that in mind, we look at three English all-rounders who could set this edition of IPL on fire.

#3 Sam Curran

Sam Curran had an excellent series against India

20-year-old Sam Curran is one of the most exciting all-rounders English cricket has produced in recent times. He made his first-class debut for Surrey at the age of 17, and in mid-2018, he made his international debut against Pakistan.

But Curran truly came into the spotlight when he was named England's Player of the Test Series against India. England won the series 4-1 with Curran contributing 272 runs with the bat and 11 wickets with the ball.

Curran is pretty good at generating swing with the ball and with the bat, he can score some quick runs in the lower middle order

He came into the IPL auction with the base price of 2 crore, and Kings XI Punjab bought him for 7.2 crore. He is expected to open the bowling for Punjab and will bat at No: 7 or No: 8.

A tournament like the IPL is a great platform for Curran to exhibit his talents in the shorter format of the game.

#2 Jofra Archer

Archer is now eligible to play for England

Jofra Archer, 23 years old, was born in Barbados to an English father, and he holds a British passport. He started his cricket career in Barbados and even represented West Indies U-19. However, he moved to England to groom his career and currently he is a part of Sussex.

With ECB reducing the residency period from seven to three, Archer is now eligible to play for England. He is known for his yorkers and for bowling consistently around 145 Kmph.

In IPL 2018, Rajasthan Royals bought Archer for 7.2 crore. He became the leading wicket-taker for them, picking up 15 wickets from 10 matches, but didn’t get too many opportunities with the bat.

Archer took a hat-trick for Hobart hurricanes in BBL 2018. He is expected to be the death over specialists for Rajasthan and will be slotted at No: 8 or No: 9 in the lineup. He will be looking to continue his form this year as well.

#1 Ben Stokes

Stokes has to replicate his 2017 IPL performance

Ben Stokes, 27 years old, is easily one of the best all-rounders in the modern era of cricket. He filled England’s full-time all-rounder slot after the retirement of Andrew Flintoff.

Stokes is expected to be one of the key players for England in the upcoming World Cup this year. He is known for his partnership-breaking spells and his flexibility to bat at any position in the middle order.

In 2017, Rising Pune Supergiant bought Stokes for 14.5 crore. He was subsequently named as the Most Valuable Player of that IPL, with 316 runs and 12 wickets.

In 2018, Rajasthan Royals bought him for 12.5 crore but he had a below average outing, with just 196 runs and 8 wickets.

He is expected to bat at No: 4 or No: 5 and bowl in the middle overs. With the World Cup nearing, Stokes will be eagerly hoping to gain back his momentum this IPL.