IPL 2020: 3 overseas players Rajasthan Royals could target at the auction

Rajasthan Royals have always known to back young talent. Ever since the inception of the IPL in 2008, a season where they won the coveted trophy, the franchise has looked to give chances to young players to make a mark on the big stage.

Since 2008, Rajasthan Royals have qualified for the playoffs on three occasions but have not been able to make it to the finals. The year 2019 was not a successful one for them and they finished second last on the points table.

Their first choice overseas players consisting of Ben Stokes, Steve Smith, Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer are match-winners on their day and established superstars at the international level. However, once the said players had to return back to their countries for international duties, the team struggled.

It is important for Rajasthan Royals to identify and acquire substitutes for the said players, as an injury or an early return for any of them in 2020 might again hurt their chances.

On that note, here is a look at three players who the Rajasthan Royals could target at the auction.

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#1 Alex Hales

Ales Hales

Alex Hales is an explosive batsman at the top of the order who can get the team off to a flying start. Hales, who was initially a part of England's 2019 World Cup squad, was handed a 21-day suspension as he failed a drug test and thereafter could not make it to the squad for the mega event.

Hales is a very good T20 player and can be a perfect replacement for Liam Livingstone. Livingstone played four matches for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2019 and scored only 71 runs at an average of 23.66.

Hales, who has played just one IPL season - in 2018 for Sunrisers Hyderabad - has 145 runs to his name in 6 matches. He has proved himself in limited overs cricket in the past and he has an impressive strike rate of 136.66 and average of 31.02 in 60 T20 internationals.

Hales is not a part of the English Test squad and is likely to be available for the entire IPL season. That is another reason why Rajasthan Royals should bid for him in the 2020 IPL auction.

Also see – T10 schedule

#2 Glenn Phillips

Glenn Phillips

Rajasthan Royals always keep an eye out for young unknown talent, and Glenn Phillips could be their pick in the 2020 IPL auction.

Phillips is a top-order wicketkeeper-batsman from New Zealand and is known to be a clean striker of the cricket ball. He came into the limelight in 2018 when he finished as the top scorer in the 2018 Caribbean Premier League.

Phillips scored 457 runs at an average of 41.54 and strike rate of 146.94 in that tournament. Also, he has played 11 T20 internationals for New Zealand and scored one half-century.

It was surprising that the 22-year-old found no takers in the 2019 IPL auction. Rajasthan Royals should look to pick Phillips in place of Ashton Turner, who could score just 3 runs in 4 IPL matches last season.

Phillips is an unknown player in the IPL and could be one of the top picks in the 2020 auction.

#3 Sheldon Cottrell

Sheldon Cottrell

Sheldon Cottrell is known for his ability to pick up wickets with the new ball in limited overs cricket. Being a left-handed bowler, he creates a different angle and can add variety to the bowling attack.

Cottrell has a knack of making crucial breakthroughs; in 16 T20 internationals, he has picked up 24 wickets at an average of 18.54. He is yet to play a game in the IPL and could be on the list of a few teams this season.

The franchise from Rajashthan would be interested in picking Cottrell in place of Oshane Thomas, who did not have a successful season in 2019.

If picked for IPL 2020, Cottrell will give the Indian crowds a glimpse of his famous 'salute' celebration every time he picks up a wicket. Cottrell is a safe fielder in the outfield too, which is essential in T20 cricket.