IPL 2019: 5 cricketers who could be the costliest auction buy this year

The Indian Premier League always brings something new to the table and as it enters its 12th edition in 2019, there is no doubt that will be some surprises in store for us this time around as well, as it has been over the past 11 years or so.

Apart from the high octane drama that the IPL brings it to the audience all over the globe from the cricket field, a lot happens before the action even happens in the form of auctions, and this one will no different.

While this will not be a fresh auction as the landscape of the cricketing world changes in a year, the expectations are at an all-time high for few players who have not so far taken part in the IPL and also with some of the released players. But this time around with talents emerging from across the cricketing community, this time will be no different.

With the likes of Aaron Finch and Maxi opting out of auctions, one might feel there is a surprise in store for us regarding some of the buys. Here are the players who could be the hottest and costliest buys in this year's auction.

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#5 Mohammad Shahzad

He has all the attributes to succeed in IPL

Mohammad Shahzad is a superstar of Afghan cricket and one of the most loved persons in the game right now. He should have played in the IPL now given his talent and attacking mindset but that hasn't happened till now.

The one thing that might have prompted the teams not to take him could be his lack of fitness. He is not the fittest guy in the world, and the word IPL is synonymous with fitness as it is a long tournament.

He has brought himself in contention for an IPL contract this time around with his recent exploits in the T10 league in UAE where he slammed the fastest 50 in the history of cricket and is a proven performer all over the globe in domestic T20 competitions.

He could set the stage on fire since he has made all the right headlines in the recent past.

#4 Jaydev Unadkat

One of the most successful death bowlers in IPL

Jaydev Unadkat going for 11.5 crores was surprising, but one would have expected his price tag to be more but not the said amount. This would have created more pressure on him, adding to already huge expectations on him to perform as he did for the now defunct Pune franchise the year before where was a factor in getting them to the finals.

But his returns for the Rajasthan Royals was less than ordinary where the Saurashtra pacer could take just 11 wickets in 15 matches at a poor economy rate of 9.65.and was subsequently released ahead of the auctions.

He might not fetch the same amount this time around but many of the teams can go all guns him to avail his services. He has been in good form in the Vijay Hazare trophy which could help his cause in this auctions as well.

#3 Axar Patel

Axar could be the hottest prospect this time.

With players like Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell opting themselves out of this year's auction, Axar Patel could be the man in contention to be the costliest buy in the auction.

Axar is a utility cricketing who doesn't go for many runs, can be lethal with the bat at times and can bowl at death too if required. Overall, he is a great asset for any team he plays. He may not have represented India for sometime now but he is always a regular feature in the Indian team and is benched only because of the fact that Kuldeep and Chahal have taken the centre stage.

He was a tad unlucky in getting released from the Kings XI Punjab franchise where he was a member for a long period of time and was the only retained player before last year's auction, but he could be the man to set the bidding war this time around.

#2 Oshane Thomas

Oshane Thomas came into the limelight after a strong showing in the CPL 2018 where he ended up as the second highest wicket-taker of the season after he claiming 18 wickets in just 10 matches. Apart from this, the thing that was impressive about him was his raw pace.

The strongly built bowler form Jamaica bowled some devastating spells in the CPL and was quickly drafted into the Windies side that faced India.

After a disappointing start to his international career in the ODI series against India, Thomas showed his true potential in the T20I series that followed. The 21-year-old regularly troubled the Indian openers Rohit and Dhawan with his searing pace, and accuracy.

The IPL teams may have found a new sensation on the block, and he could go for a handful in the upcoming auction as the franchises like KKR, RCB is in dire need of an out and out quick.

#1 Shimron Hetmyer

Adding the Carribean flavor

Another Windies player who could join the list of many successful cricketers from the islands in the IPL is Hetmyer.

Shimron Hetmyer is a young talent from the Guyanese Island in the Carribean who impressed each and every one with his fearless approach to any situation and attacking strokeplay. He had a good CPL where he was third highest run-getter, and within no time played for the Windies in all formats of the game.

Hetmyer can be a player who can be viewed as a game-changer with the bat in the middle overs and can take the game away from the opposition in a jiffy with his attacking instincts which is evident from his strike rate even in Test cricket. He will definitely be on the radar of most IPL teams this auction and can be a player who can go for a huge sum.

The 21-year-old has what it takes to join the list of players from the Carribean, who shine in the IPL.