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The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) is all set to kick-start on March 29 with the final to be played on May 24 in Mumbai. The same was confirmed following the IPL governing council meeting on Monday attended by BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and IPL governing council chairman Brijesh Patel.
At the meet, it was also decided that there will be no changes in the timings, and the games will begin at 8pm IST. The number of double headers have, however, been reduced to five. A concussion substitute and additional umpires for no-balls have also been sanctioned.
While the franchises picked their players at the auction held in Kolkata late last year, a lot of unsold Indian cricketers are currently shining in the Ranji Trophy. We can look at three such in-form players, who can come in as replacements.
#3. Jalaj Saxena
Kerala all-rounder Jalaj Saxena went unsold despite having a low base price of INR 30 lakh. The veteran cricketer has been one of the most consistent players on the domestic circuit for years now, but somehow he hasn’t got the due that he deserves. This year as well, Saxena has been highly impressive, particularly with his off-spin.
In seven Ranji Trophy games so far, the 33-year-old has picked up a rich haul of 37 wickets at an average of 18.40 and a strike rate of 43.1. Saxena has as many as four five-wicket hauls to show for his efforts. In fact, he has claimed seven-fors in the last two matches that he has played.
Also see – Under 19 world cup most wickets
The off-spinner finished with sensational figures of 7 for 51 in the second innings against Punjab at Thumba as Kerala successfully defended a meagre target of 146. In Kerala’s most recent clash against Rajasthan, Saxena again stood out with figures of 7 for 77. However, Kerala were abysmal with the bat, managing only 90 and 82 to lose the contest by an innings and 96 runs.
Saxena’s previous five-fors came in December 2019 - 6 for 63 against Delhi in a drawn encounter, and 5 for 26 against Gujarat in a losing cause. In the IPL, he can be an asset with his wicket-taking ability with the ball. His batting skills will be an additional asset that can be counted upon.
Note: All statstics included are as of January 30, 2020
#2. Sheldon Jackson
The Saurashtra wicket-keeper batsman had a base price of only INR 20 lakh at the IPL 2020 auction. However, 33-year-old Sheldon Jackson still found no takers. He might just come into contention if any franchise experiences injury problems, especially in the wicket-keeping department.
In six matches for Saurashtra this Ranji Trophy season, he has amassed an impressive tally of 509 runs at an average of 56.55 with two hundreds and one fifty. Jackson has hit two big centuries in back-to-back matches in the tournament.
Against Karnataka at Rajkot earlier this month, he hit an impressive 161 from 299 deliveries, and featured in a massive 394-run stand with Cheteshwar Pujara. The game ended in a draw despite Karnataka being made to follow-on.
In the very next match against Madhya Pradesh at Indore a week later, Jackson hit 186 from 230 balls. The knock featured 25 fours and three sixes. MP narrowly escaped with a draw, finishing on 223 for 9 chasing 321.
With the aggressive batting coupled with his keeping talent, Jackson can be a valuable addition to any of the IPL franchises looking for likewise talent.
#1. Manoj Tiwary
Bengal batsman Manoj Tiwary has made no bones about the fact that he was surprised with the IPL snub for a second year in a row. Tiwary went unsold at a base price of INR 50 lakh. After being ignored, Tiwary ‘celebrated’ at a restaurant. He took to Twitter and wrote,
There was a more emotional reaction after Tiwary smashed his maiden triple hundred against Hyderabad earlier this month in the Ranji Trophy. Tiwary made an unbeaten 303 from 414 balls with 30 fours and five sixes as Bengal got the better of Hyderabad by an innings and 303 runs. The knock made the 34-year-old only the second player from Bengal after Devang Gandhi to hit a triple century.
“It was difficult to digest the fact (IPL snub). But that’s the reality. Obviously, it feels bad when you see so many youngsters playing and I sit back at home watching. Those shots I could have hit. It’s the harsh reality for me,” Tiwary said after the spectacular innings.
Before the triple against Hyderabad, Tiwary got starts in most games, but had only one fifty to show, against Kerala. Thanks to his unbeaten 303, he now has 501 runs to his name at an average of 83.50. Apart from being a domestic veteran, Tiwary also has an ODI hundred to his name.
If luck shines on him, the experienced Tiwary might get a backdoor entry into IPL 2020, and can be useful with his proven ability to score runs.
Also read: IPL 2020 | 5 unsold all-rounders who could return as replacements
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