IPL 2020: 4 players from CPL 2019 that IPL teams should target in the auction

The Carribean Premier League always brings with it exciting matches and closely fought contests. CPL 2019 wasn't an exception as the stars turned on the heat with some class performances.

However, there were also some new and unknown players who made a mark this year. Keeping in mind the IPL 2020 auctions which will be held on 19 December 2019 in Kolkata (the trading window closes on 14 November), here's a list of top CPL 2019 players who should attract the attention of the IPL franchises:

#4 Hayden Walsh

Hayden Walsh

US international Hayden Walsh has been in the news lately. His wickets tally of 19 wickets at a remarkable average of just 11.73 in CPL 2019 for Barbados Tridents has helped him garner praise from the entire cricketing fraternity.

Walsh took those many wickets in only seven matches, the least number of games played by a bowler to make it to the top 10 wicket-takers' list. His 19 wickets helped him finish above Imran Tahir, who stood second with 15.

The leg-break googly bowler has represented USA in eight games in ODIs and T20Is combined, taking a combined tally of six wickets at an impressive average of 21.50. But what can work in Walsh’s favor to get an IPL bid is the fact that two leg-spinners feature in the top five all-time IPL wicket-takers list - Amit Mishra (157 wickets) and Piyush Chawla (150 wickets).

Walsh had come in for special praise from USA head coach Pubudu Dassanayake when he helped the team earn promotion to WCL Division 2 last year. USA finished runner-up in the WCL Division 3 in Oman.

Dassanayke was impressed with Walsh’s hitting abilities as well. “When we looked at him the first time, we all thought he was a good leg-spinner but we were not sure about his batting, even though he came and said that he can bat…But we had a few training sessions in Barbados and match scenarios basically playing a 50-over game on a full field using local players. Every scenario we played, he was scoring runs," he said.

Also see – World Test Championship Schedule

#3 Glenn Phillips

Glenn Phillips

New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Glenn Phillips might turn out to be a useful buy for any IPL franchise. His exploits with the bat in domestic T20 leagues are noteworthy.

Phillips made his debut for New Zealand against South Africa in T20Is in 2017 and later joined Jamaica Tallawahs in CPL.

In the 2016-2017 domestic T20 season of the Super Smash in New Zealand, Phillips ended up as the highest run-getter with 369 runs in 10 outings. He hit three fifties and one century at a remarkable strike-rate of 143.

Two years down the line Phillips has maintained his form, scoring 374 runs in 10 innings at a strike-rate of 144.96 in the CPL. He stands at the 16th position in the entire CPL history with 1007 runs at an average of 35.96 in only 28 innings (the least number of matches taken to score 1000 runs in CPL).

Phillips' consistency and wicket-keeping abilities would make him a lethal weapon for any IPL franchise.

#2 Sheldon Cottrell

Sheldon Cottrell

Left unsold in 2017 and 2018 at a base price of 50 lakh, left-arm paceman Sheldon Cottrell has come a long way since. He finished as the top-wicket taker for West Indies with 12 wickets at the World Cup 2019 in England and Wales. His stupendous one-handed catch at the boundary to dismiss Steven Smith demonstrated the kind of athletic ability he possesses.

Cottrell made it to the West Indies team way back in 2013 when he played his first game against India at the Eden Gardens. Subsequently, he played his debut matches in T20I and ODI cricket in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

In 16 T20Is, Cottrell has 24 wickets at an impressive average of 18.54. Playing for St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots in CPL 2019, he stands sixth in the top-wicket taker's list with 12 scalps in eight games at an average of 19.25.

From 2013 to 2019, Cottrell has played 50 CPL matches in total, taking 69 wickets at an average of 19.33, to stand fifth in the all-time top-wicket takers' list in CPL.

With his theatrical celebrations, nipping lines and lengths and athletic fielding attributes, Cottrell might end up at the top of the buyers' list in the forthcoming IPL auctions.

#1 Rahkeem Cornwall

Rahkeem Cornwall

On 19 March 2007, Bermuda player Dwayne Leverock took one of the best catches in World Cup history to dismiss Robin Uthappa. Weighing 280 pounds then, Leverock became a sensation.

12 years later, a 26-year-old West Indies cricketer Rahkeem Cornwall, who weighs over 300 pounds, became the heaviest international cricketer ever when he made his debut against India.

In the days and age of the Yo-Yo test, where fitness is as important a factor to be selected into a team as any, Cornwall has reminded his peers that there’s more to him as a cricketer with his consistent performances with both bat and ball.

Playing first-class cricket since 2014, Cornwall took 54 wickets in only nine matches at an impressive average of 17.68 for an orthodox off-break. Against India A last month, Cornwall took nine wickets in six games.

Cornwall’s hitting ability in CPL 2019 for St. Lucia Zouks has helped him reach 11th position in the top-run getters' list, with 254 runs in 10 games - ahead of Chris Gayle by just one run. What might work in Cornwall's favor in this IPL auction is the strike-rate at which he goes about belting the bowlers out of the park.

Cornwall's astounding strike-rate of 190.97 has caught everyone’s eye. He stands rooted to his crease and follows the Virender Sehwag brand of stand and deliver, regardless of the bowler's experience and stature.