IPL 2019 Auction: One former player each team could buy

We are only a couple of weeks away from the 2019 Indian Premier League auction. Jaipur will host the auction, which is scheduled to happen on December 18 from 3 pm IST.

Kings XI Punjab have the biggest purse after releasing 11 of their players while Chennai Super Kings have just two Indian slots available after retaining most of their players.

Some of the expensive 2018 signings like Jaydev Unadkat, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell, Chris Woakes, Aaron Finch, Brendon McCullum, and Pat Cummins were released by their respective franchises.

It is not an unfamiliar sight in IPL where franchises try to sign their former players and the 2019 auction will be no different.

Without much ado, let's take a look at the one former player each team could buy in the 2019 IPL auction.

#8 Delhi Capitals - Jaydev Unadkat

Unadkat picked up only 11 wickets for Royals in IPL 2018

One of the most expensive players in IPL last season, Unadkat was let go by Rajasthan Royals because of some below-par performances last season. Unadkat was a part of the Delhi squad in 2014 and 2015 where he played 10 matches for the franchise.

Delhi released Mohammed Shami for IPL 2019 and the 27-year-old could be the one to take his place for the next season.

#7 Rajasthan Royals - Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch, Australia v India - T20 series, 2018/19

Letting Finch go is one of those decisions that might come back to haunt Kings XI Punjab. The World No.3 T20I batsman and the second highest run-getter in T20 cricket this calendar year, Finch is in the form of his life at the moment.

The 32-year-old played a game for Royals in 2010 and his former club might consider bringing him back for IPL 2019. The prospect of Finch and Buttler opening the batting for Royals is mouth-watering.

#6 Kings XI Punjab - Glenn Maxwell

Maxwell in KXIP

colors

, IPL 2014

One of the most destructive hitters in world cricket, Maxwell has played for four different franchises in his seven IPL seasons. He was signed by Delhi for a lot of money last season but Maxwell failed to justify his price tag.

The 30-year-old still has a lot of cricket left in him and could be a valuable T20 player. Maxwell played his best IPL cricket when he was a KXIP player and his former employers might consider signing him again.

#5 Sunrisers Hyderabad - Eoin Morgan

Sri Lanka v England - International Twenty20

One of the most successful limited-overs batsmen to have ever played for England, Morgan struggled to fulfil his potential in the Indian Premier League. Morgan has been in phenomenal form for England in 2018 and scored a lot of runs.

He has played a lot better on the slow pitches in Sri Lanka during their 2018 tour and adapted well to the conditions. Though he went unsold in the 2018 auction, he could attract buyers for the 2019 season.

Middle-order was a problem for SRH last season and the England international could be a perfect signing for them.

#4 Kolkata Knight Riders - Brendon McCullum

McCullum was signed by KKR in 2008

Brendon McCullum kickstarted the Indian Premier League in 2008 with a stunning 158 at the Eden Gardens. He was consistent run-getter in IPL with 2881 runs from 109 matches.

However, the Kiwi had a disappointing IPL 2018 campaign for Royal Challengers Bangalore and was released by the franchise. McCullum is available for the entire IPL and Kolkata Knight Riders might want to bring their star player back to the Eden Gardens.

#3 Royal Challengers Bangalore - Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc in action for RCB

Arguably the most destructive fast bowler in world cricket at the moment, Mitchell Starc played only two seasons of IPL so far and both came for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders in 2018 IPL auction but was released a year later.

On his day, the Australian seamer can single-handedly win games and Virat Kohli would love to have him back at the Chinnaswamy.

#2 Mumbai Indians - Axar Patel

Axar Patel could be the signing that Mumbai needs

The three-time Champions Mumbai Indians finished fifth in IPL 2019. They allowed Harbhajan Singh to leave and never signed a proper replacement. Axar was a Mumbai Indians player in 2013 IPL, but, he did not feature in a single game for the franchise.

He then moved to KXIP and was hugely successful. However, he was released by his franchise after a poor IPL 2018. Axar Patel is only 24 and has a lot of offer. Mumbai Indians might want to make him their lead spinner.

#1 Chennai Super Kings - Mohit Sharma

Mohit's best IPL days came in a yellow jersey

Mohit Sharma came to the spotlight after his brilliant debut campaign for Chennai Super Kings during IPL 2013. He finished with 20 wickets and was one of the best medium pacers in the tournament. Sharma picked up 23 wickets in 2014 and 14 wickets in 2015. His stunning IPL form got him a place in the Indian team.

However, he wasn't the same bowler after his move to Kings XI Punjab in 2016. He lost his international place and picked up only seven wickets in IPL 2018. MS Dhoni always had a good rapport with Mohit Sharma and would want to bring him back.