IPL 2020: 5 overseas stars who might be in high demand in the mid-season transfer window

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) has reached its halfway stage, and all 8 teams have played half their league phase matches. This means that the mid-season transfer window, which is making an appearance for the first time in an IPL season, is now open.

Teams will want to plug the holes in their rosters, and will be actively pursuing players who are eligible for transfers. The rules state that consenting players who have played less than 3 games in IPL 2020 can seek greener pastures. We take a look at 5 overseas stars who could be in high demand in the IPL 2020 mid-season transfer window.

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Overseas players who could be highly sought-after in the IPL 2020 mid-season transfer window

Note: Players like Chris Morris and Chris Gayle, who are eligible for a transfer but are likely to be retained by their franchises, have not been considered for this article.

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#5 Daniel Sams (DC)

Daniel Sams could be a valuable addition to other IPL 2020 teams

When Jason Roy withdrew from IPL 2020, DC did well to replace him with Daniel Sams, who added weight to their pace attack, which was arguably the weakest section of their roster.

However, the splendid performances of Anrich Nortje - who was signed as a replacement himself but has now formed a deadly partnership with Kagiso Rabada - has pushed the Australian down the pecking order.

Sams has excelled in the Big Bash League with his cleverly disguised slower balls and death bowling, and could be an excellent addition to teams like the Chennai Super Kings and the Kings XI Punjab. The left-armer could be yet another transfer in a DC squad that is getting regular makeovers.

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#4 Dale Steyn (RCB)

Dale Steyn isn't as menacing as he once was

Dale Steyn has played a couple of games in IPL 2020, but the sad truth is that he is nowhere near as menacing as he once was. The South African has been expensive at the death and ineffective with the new ball, and is unlikely to get another game for RCB in IPL 2020 due to the presence of Chris Morris and Isuru Udana.

However, with the tracks slowing down, Steyn's experience and passion could make him a valuable addition to teams like the Kings XI Punjab and the Kolkata Knight Riders. While he would be a definite upgrade on Chris Jordan at the former, the injury to Ali Khan has left Dinesh Karthik's side a bit thin on backup pacers.

A move away for Steyn might not see him get regular game time, but his chances of featuring in more IPL 2020 games would certainly increase.

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#3 David Miller (RR)

David Miller has been unfortunate in IPL 2020

David Miller has played only one game in IPL 2020 for his new franchise RR, in which he was unfortunate to be run-out for a duck. The South African should've played more games given how much RR have struggled with their middle order, but Steve Smith opted to give himself a plethora of bowling options instead of depth in batting.

Ben Stokes has now returned for RR, taking up an overseas slot and a place in the middle order. As a result, Miller is unlikely to play again in IPL 2020 for the 2008 champions. The southpaw could be a valuable addition to a team like the Chennai Super Kings, who not only lack a left-hander in their top 5 but have also been unable to accelerate in the middle overs.

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#2 Mitchell McClenaghan (MI)

Mitchell McClenaghan is unlikely to play for MI in IPL 2020

Mitchell McClenaghan has been a loyal servant of MI over the years in the IPL 2020, but he has seen his place in the playing XI stolen by his countryman Trent Boult. With Boult and James Pattinson doing well, and with Nathan Coulter-Nile's massive contract taking up space on the bench, the Kiwi would do well to seek a team which can guarantee him matches.

McClenaghan's prowess in different stages of the innings and the variety that he adds as a left-armer could make him one of the most sought-after players in the IPL 2020 mid-season transfer window. The 34-year-old could fit in well at teams like the Sunrisers Hyderabad - who have lost Bhuvneshwar Kumar due to injury - and the Chennai Super Kings.

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#1 Imran Tahir (CSK)

Even a bowler of the calibre of Imran Tahir has been warming the bench in IPL 2020

Very little needs to be said about Imran Tahir's abilities, and he's undoubtedly one of the best players to be warming the bench in IPL 2020. With Piyush Chawla impressing in the early stages of the tournament and Karn Sharma having done decently in the last couple of games, the leg-spinner could move away from CSK in this window.

Tahir could add value to any team he goes to, and an unlikely destination that could prove to be very beneficial to both parties is MI. Rohit Sharma has only two IPL-quality spinners to call upon, and he can even afford to accommodate another overseas star in the XI in the latter stages of the tournament.