The auction for the 2017 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is slated to begin tomorrow morning. Different types of players including Indian internationals, domestic hopefuls, and upcoming overseas names will be in the fray alongside experienced international stars from across the globe.
Extra Cover: IPL Auction 2017 – Complete list of players in the auction, PDF download
Here are five of the leading cricketers in the auction with the most international caps to their names. The players are arranged in ascending order with Tests, ODIs and T20Is combined.
#5 Eoin Morgan
England‘s limited-overs skipper Morgan has overseen a major revamp in their approach towards ODIs and T20Is. With the ignominious 2015 World Cup campaign serving as a much needed wake-up call, they have built their white-ball setup around the left-hander’s dynamic leadership and flexible batting. He represented Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last season.
Equally proficient against both seam and spin, he could be on the radar of the Rising Pune Supergiants. However, his availability towards the latter stages might be an issue as the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are reportedly keen on summoning him for the 2-match ODI series against Ireland in May.
Reserve Price – INR 200 lakhs
Tests – 16, ODIs – 173 and T20Is – 67
Combined international matches – 256
Total international runs from all three formats – 7461
#4 Tamim Iqbal
Bangladesh’s opener across all three formats, Tamim Iqbal could be a steal at his listed base price of INR 30 lakhs. Renowned for his ability to provide electric starts, the southpaw has extensive experience in T20 cricket.
Despite setting his base price at INR 50 lakhs during last year’s auction, he remained unsold. This time around, Tamim might just attract some bidders. With Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka finishing on April 6, he will be available for most of the tournament.
Reserve Price – INR 30 lakhs
Tests – 47, ODIs – 162 and T20Is – 55
Combined international matches – 264
Total international runs from all three formats – 9792
#3 Marlon Samuels
One of the most enigmatic cricketers going around in the modern game, Samuels has the rare ability to thrive under pressure situations and make statements in style. The Player of the Final in both the 2012 and 2016 World T20s, he rose to the occasion to almost single-handedly propel West Indies to glory.
Having gone unsold during last year’s auction in spite of listing his base price at INR 50 lakhs, Samuels has upped the ante for this edition by doubling his valuation. However, his availability (or lack thereof) could come in the way. West Indies are scheduled to host Pakistan throughout April till May 14.
Reserve Price – INR 100 lakhs
Tests – 71, ODIs – 187 and T20Is – 51
Combined international matches – 309
Total international runs from all three formats – 10,283; Total international wickets from all three formats – 145
#2 Angelo Mathews
Tasked with leading Sri Lankan cricket through a tough transition phase, Mathews has played several valuable knocks over the last few years. Following one such contribution in the second T20I against South Africa, he was sidelined with a hamstring injury and missed the 3-match series in Australia.
The all-rounder did not feature in the 2016 edition of the IPL. For this season’s auction, he has set his base price at a whopping INR 200 lakhs. Though the Lankans do not have any international commitments during April-May, it remains to be seen if the franchises decide to splurge big money on him considering his fitness woes.
Reserve Price – INR 200 lakhs
Tests – 65, ODIs – 180 and T20Is – 68
Combined international matches – 313
Total international runs from all three formats – 10,009; Total international wickets from all three formats – 180
#1 Ross Taylor
With a combined 332 caps, Taylor is the most experienced cricketer in the 2017 IPL auction. He opted out of last year’s auction in favour of county cricket. No stranger to the lucrative T20 tournament, the right-hander has represented as many as four teams thus far including Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
After being left out of the New Zealand squad for the one-off T20I against South Africa, Taylor publicly sought clarity on his future in the shortest format. Though his availability will not be a problem, he has still kept his base price at INR 50 lakhs.
Reserve Price – INR 50 Lakhs
Tests – 80, ODIs – 179 and T20Is – 73
Combined international matches – 332
Total international runs from all three formats – 13,221
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