IPL Auctions 2020: 5 overseas players every franchise will have their eye on

The auctions for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League are set to take place on 19 December in the city of joy, Kolkata. The trading window that is currently open, will be closing on 14 November. Each franchise will be given a purse of INR 85 crore for the upcoming season, as compared to INR 82 crore for the 2019 season.

The 2019 edition saw a significant number of overseas stars opt out of the lucrative league in order to prepare for the World Cup. However, most of them are expected to make a return for the 2020 season.

As the teams get ready to improve upon their existing combinations, here we look at 5 overseas players who will attract the most interest from the teams:

#5 Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins will be targeted by multiple teams as a strike bowler

Pat Cummins has not yet set the stage on fire in the IPL, but he has been one of the most reliable players for the Australian side in all formats over the last couple of years. In addition to his exploits with the ball Cummins has been good with the bat as well, providing crucial lower order runs for his team against quality bowling.

Cummins has played 16 games in the IPL so far, 12 of which came in the 2017 season for Delhi Daredevils (now known as Delhi Capitals). He has 17 wickets to his name at an economy of 8.29 and strike rate of 21.23.

Cummins will be one of the prime targets for several teams as a strike bowler. Considering the history of injuries associated with Mitchell Starc, the franchises are almost certain to shift their focus towards the more reliable Cummins.

The likes of Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians will be keen to have the services of the Aussie pacer.

Also see – World Test Championship Schedule

#4 Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch during his stint with the Gujarat Lions

The limited-overs skipper for Australia, Aaron Finch, had a forgettable season in 2018 for Kings XI Punjab where he averaged just above 16. But Finch's current form turns the tide strongly in his favor; he was Australia's second highest run-getter in the World Cup.

Finch averages 26.31 in 75 IPL games and has a strike rate of 130.69. He has 13 fifties to his name with a highest score of 88*.

Teams looking for destructive openers will definitely have Finch on their list - especially the likes of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings.

#3 Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizzur Rahman will be looking to make a comeback in the IPL

Fizz, as Mustafizur Rahman is popularly known among fans, started off his IPL career in style in the 2016 edition for Sunrisers Hyderabad. His career post IPL 2016 saw a minor blip, following which he has grown into a more mature and reliable bowler for Bangladesh.

Mustafizur had a decent outing in the recently concluded World Cup, being particularly accurate at the death.

He has 24 wickets from 24 games in the IPL, at an impressive economy of 7.51. His best figures of 3/16 came for Sunrisers Hyderabad during their victorious campaign in 2016.

Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab will be looking to have someone like Fizz in their side for the upcoming season.

#2 Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell will be one of the most sought after players in the auction

Ever since his breathtaking 2014 season for Kings XI Punjab, Glenn Maxwell has always been a talking point in the IPL - for his outstanding as well as below-par performances. The former Kings XI Punjab skipper had a really poor 2018 season for Delhi, but knowing his capabilities with the bat and his more than handy off-spin, Maxwell will be on the bucket-list of most teams.

Despite blowing hot and cold, Maxwell maintains an impressive strike rate of 161.13 with the bat from 69 IPL games, with 6 fifties to his name. In addition to that, he has 16 scalps with an economy of 8.72.

Barring the 2018 season, Maxwell has been fairly handy when used well. A perfect middle order batsman in T20s, Maxwell will be on the radar of almost every team in the auctions.

#1 Jason Roy

Jason Roy during his match-winning 91* against Mumbai Indians

Jason Roy, one of the best limited overs openers in the world at present, will be one of the biggest attractions in the upcoming auctions. The destructive English opener is yet to set the stage on fire in the IPL, but given the form he is in and the caliber he possesses, no team will want to let go of him.

In eight matches scattered across two seasons for Gujarat and Delhi respectively, Roy has 179 runs at an average of 29.83 and strike rate of 133.58. He has one fifty-plus score to his name - a match-winning 91* against Mumbai Indians while chasing. Moreover, he has a very good record in Indian conditions playing for England.

Roy will be one of the hottest properties in the auctions as far as openers are concerned, and will likely be targeted by multiple franchises.