IPL 2020: Top 5 overseas debutants to watch out for

The 13th season of the Indian Premier League is set to commence at the end of the month and the tournament promises to be an exciting affair after the recently concluded auction in December 2019, where teams weren't afraid to splash the cash.

With the mega auction planned to take place before the start of the IPL 14, the current season represents a free-hit of sorts for the franchises, as players for signed for big money with the hope they that deliver the goods this time around.

The likes of Chris Gayle, David Warner, Lasith Malinga and Kieron Pollard, amongst others, have dazzled the IPL with their brilliance over the years and are still going strong, which is conclusive proof that foreign exports are just as important as the local talent, if not more.

62 players received bids in the auction and the eight franchises added to their squads in an attempt to tie up loose ends, as the Kolkata Knight Riders made Pat Cummins the most expensive foreign purchase in the history of the tournament with a whopping bid of INR 15.5 crores.

While the usual suspects all found takers, with the likes Chris Morris, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Finch and Eoin Morgan attracting big money bids, here are 5 overseas debutants who could take the IPL by storm this season.

---

#5 Fabian Allen - Sunrisers Hyderabad

Fabian Allen could be a useful allrounder for the SRH this season

Over the years, SRH have developed a reputation of unearthing gems and honing their talents throughout the tournament, and Fabian Allen's capture for INR 50 lakhs seems to be heading in the same direction.

In the absence of the multi-dimensional Shakib Al Hassan, there is a case to be made that Allen could be drafted into the playing XI, as he is capable of making useful contributions in all aspects of the game.

Also see – PSL 2020 points table

A batting all-rounder by trade, the West Indian's left-arm spin could be a wildcard option for the Orange Army, as they've weaved their magic with Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi over the years. The 24-year-old is also a livewire on the field, which comes as a silver lining to his ability with bat and ball.

Allen is a household name in the T20 circuit and is one of the most exciting players to come out of the West Indies in recent weeks, as he looks to make a name for himself in the most glamorous limited-overs competition in the world. With a strike rate of 165 at an average of 25, Allen's hard-hitting with the bat is exemplified by his numbers and has an economy of 7.27, with 14 wickets in 27 T20s.

While it remains likely that SRH's four overseas slots will be filled by the likes of David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan, Allen is sure to be in the reckoning for a place in the side, as he's established himself as a key T20 asset for the West Indies in recent years.

#4 Josh Philippe - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Joshua Philippe could be the X factor for RCB this season

Having been described as an excitement machine by Mike Hesson, Josh Philippe's signing went under the radar at the IPL auction but the youngster has everything in his locker to be a certified game-changer for his side.

Plying his trade for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, the 22-year-old played a stunning innings earlier this year and his big-hitting was on display, as he took the game away from the Adelaide Strikers with some destructive batting.

With 83 runs from 52 balls, Philippe turned the game around for the Sixers single-handedly and did so by navigating Rashid Khan in the process, as the Afghani spinner went for 23 runs in the 12 balls he bowled to the Australian batsman.

With Parthiv Patel's spot not nailed down at this moment, RCB might be tempted to include Philippe in the playing XI, as the youngster is also a natural wicket-keeper by trade. Signed for a base price of INR 20 lakhs, Josh Philippe could prove to be a low-risk high reward signing for Virat Kohli and co and it remains to be seen if he makes his presence felt in the IPL, after gracing the BBL with his destructive hitting.

#3 Alex Carey - Delhi Capitals

Alex Carey will add experience and calmness to a young Delhi Capitals squad

Alex Carey's rise to stardom has been a massive boost for Australian cricket over the last 12 months, as the wicket-keeper batsman established himself as a key player and made his presence felt in the 2019 World Cup. The southpaw sparked a bidding war at the auction and was picked up by the Delhi Capitals for INR 2.4 crores, as he looks set to train under compatriot Ricky Ponting in the current season.

At the age of 28, Carey could be termed as a late bloomer and although Australian have deployed him as a No. 7 batsman in recent months, his best position would be as a No. 4, as that would give him time to settle and accelerate according to the situation.

Delhi's batting is predominantly Indian, with the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant amongst their ranks currently, which would allow Carey and Shimron Hetmyer to slot in seamlessly into the XI in the lower middle order. Carey brings with him a lot of experience and poise and he represents good value for DC, as they look to make it through to the playoffs once again this season.

#2 Tom Banton - Kolkata Knight Riders

Tom Banton will be aiming to make the damage at the top of the order for KKR

Going into the IPL auction last year, Tom Banton was seen as one of the hottest prospects and was expected to land a mammoth bid, but the Englishman eventually joined the Kolkata Knight Riders for a base price of INR 1 crore.

A destructive wicket-keeper batsman by trade, the 21-year-old has already been touted as Jos Buttler's long-term heir and enhanced his reputation with a string of sensational performances in the BBL, where he represented the Brisbane Heat.

Having recently made his ODI debut for England, Banton is widely regarded as one of the hottest prospects in the game and could be drafted into KKR's playing XI immediately, as they aim to fill the void left by Chris Lynn, who was picked up by the Mumbai Indians in the auction.

With an impressive strike rate of 158.94, including a high score of 100, Banton boasts an average of 31 in 32 T20s across his young career and looks like a bonafide superstar in the making, as he is blessed with stunning striking ability with the willow and light-quick reactions behind the stumps.

Under the tutelage of Brendon McCullum, who has been appointed coach of KKR for the forthcoming season, Banton could not have gotten a better player to learn his trade, as he looks to make his presence felt in the IPL.

#1 Sheldon Cottrell - Kings XI Punjab

Sheldon Cottrell is the newest West Indian to grace the IPL

The Indian Premier League has been blessed with West Indian superstars over the years and the Kings XI Punjab parted with INR 8.5 crores to add Caribbean flavour to their side, as they roped in Sheldon Cottrell as one of their marquee purchases.

The 30-year-old has been a regular feature of the West Indies side in recent years and has also developed a reputation of playing handy knocks with the bat, making him a perfect package for the limited-overs game.

Cottrell has also made headlines for his celebration, as he walks down the pitch and caps off each wicket with a trademark salute - most recently doing so against Virat Kohli in the T20 series in December.

With the lack of quality pace bowlers amongst their ranks, the 31-year-old's arrival represents a huge boost for KXIP, as he looks set to lead the line alongside Mohammed Shami. In 25 T20Is, Cottrell has 25 wickets with an economy of 7.89 - a record which makes for good reading as he looks to become the latest West Indian to take the IPL by storm.