IPL 2020: 5 all-rounders from World Cup 2019 who could be in demand

The players’ auction for the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League is all set to be held for the first time in Kolkata, on 19 December. The auctions are likely to witness some intense activity as most franchises would look to make good use of the amount in their kitty.

So far only Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and to an extent Kolkata Knight Riders have tasted success consistently in the IPL. As such, the other teams have a lot of catching up to do. Having a versatile squad in place is a must to do well on the field, which is why the IPL auctions matter a lot.

All-rounders are an integral part of IPL squads, for they have a lot to offer in the T20 format. Every franchise targets at least three or four quality cricketers who can contribute in each department.

The 2019 World Cup saw a number of all-rounders displaying their skills on the grand stage. Here, we look at five all-rounders from the mega-event who could be in demand during the transfer window and, if released by their franchises, on auction day.

#5 Mitchell Santner

Mitchell Santner

Mitchell Santner is a slow left-arm bowler from New Zealand, who is also a handy batsman down the order.

Santner didn't have much to do with the bat in the World Cup as skipper Kane Williamson scored heaps of runs with help from Ross Taylor, with Jimmy Neesham also chipping in. However, he did make a decent contribution with the ball, claiming six wickets in 10 matches with a best of 2/34.

While Santner averaged over 53, what stood out was his economy rate of 4.82. That skill of keeping the runs down can come in very handy for IPL teams. And although Santner did not score many runs in the World Cup as he batted too low, he does possess the ability to get the big hits.

Santner was part of the Chennai Super Kings outfit in the 2019 edition, but only featured in four games, and did not make much of an impact. He scored 32 runs, and picked up four wickets at an average of 23.50.

Also see – World Test Championship Schedule

#4 Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi is a quality Afghanistan all-rounder, who recently retired from Test cricket.

Nabi came up with some memorable performances in the World Cup. While he didn't have a great time with the bat, his 52 from 55 against India at Southampton, which featured four fours and a six, gave the former world champions a massive scare. It needed a hat-trick from Mohammed Shami to save India from embarrassment and bowl them to a 11-run victory.

Nabi also made a significant impact in the World Cup with his off-spin. In nine games, he claimed 10 wickets at an average of 33.50 and an economy rate of 4.61, with a best of 4 against Sri Lanka at Cardiff - where Afghanistan again scented victory but couldn’t pull off the upset.

Nabi is definitely an asset to any T20 side, as Sunrisers Hyderabad discovered last year. In 8 games he scored 115 runs from 76 balls faced, at a strike rate of 151.31. With the ball he did even better, claiming eight wickets at an economy rate of 6.65 with a best of 4 for 11.

#3 Colin de Grandhomme

Colin de Grandhomme

A New Zealand all-rounder who has been a relatively late entrant in international cricket, Colin de Grandhomme has been making his presence felt with some consistent performances. He had a mixed World Cup, but did enough to prove that he is worth having in the playing XI more often than not.

In 10 matches, De Grandhomme scored 190 runs at a strike rate of just over 100 with two fifties. One of those half-centuries came against South Africa in a winning cause, while the other fifty against Pakistan was in vain.

De Grandhomme finished with reasonable numbers with the ball as well. He picked up six wickets at an excellent economy rate of 4.15, which proves that batsmen found it hard to get him away. He came up with an excellent spell of 1 for 25 in the final, which kept New Zealand in the hunt.

The all-rounder played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2019 but, like the franchise, did not have a great time. In four matches he managed only 46 runs, while going wicket-less with the ball.

#2 Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan

The Bangladesh all-rounder came up with a stunning performance in the World Cup - one that he would perhaps be unable to repeat.

Shakib Al Hasan ended up as the third highest scorer in the event, totaling a massive 606 runs from eight matches. He struck two hundreds and five fifties and scored his runs at an average of 86.57 and a strike rate of 96.03. His 124 against West Indies saw Bangladesh gun down a target of 322 with ease.

Shakib also made an impression with his slow left-arm spin. The all-rounder claimed 11 scalps at a highly acceptable economy rate of 5.39, with a best of 5/29 against Afghanistan - a match in which he also scored a fifty.

Shakib has been an IPL regular, but could be in greater demand this time round. He played three matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad last year but didn't do much, with only nine runs and two wickets to show.

#1 Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes

The man of the World Cup, England all-rounder Ben Stokes should be among the most popular names during the transfer window and IPL 2020 auction.

Stokes almost single-handedly took England to World Cup glory. He first played the innings that ensured the final, which once seemed in New Zealand’s favour, went to the Super Over. Then he came out to bat again and set the target that proved beyond the Kiwis’ reach.

In 11 matches during the mega event, Stokes hit 465 runs at a strike rate of 93.18, with as many as five half-centuries. With his accurate medium pace, he claimed seven wickets at an impressive economy rate of 4.83.

Stokes has got some hefty pay packages in the IPL the last few years. He was purchased by Rising Pune Supergiant for a record Rs. 14.5 crore in 2017. He smashed a hundred and a fifty, and claimed 12 wickets in his inaugural season.

In 2018, Rajasthan Royals purchased him for Rs. 12.5 crore. He had a middling season with 196 and 8 wickets from 13 matches, yet was retained by the franchise for the 2019 season, in which he scored 123 runs and claimed six wickets from nine matches.