IPL Auction 2018: 5 international players who could start a bidding war

The IPL Auction 2018 is but a few days away and all eight teams will be itching to get their hands on some of the best international players in the world. While there will be plenty of surprises, some bargain buys and some bizarre selections, there will also be plenty of high-profile signings that force teams to break the bank.

Some players are certain to start a bidding war and go for a large sum of money, especially considering their ability to impact the game and the threat that they possess. Some of them are regulars in T20 cricket around the world while some are just starting out and have made their mark already.

Here are 5 international players who could start a bidding war:

Rashid Khan

Last year was a fruitful one for Rashid Khan. The year began with him bagging 4 crore and securing an IPL contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad despite having a base price of just 50 lakh. Since then he finished 2017 as the leading wicket-taker in T20s, with a staggering 80 wickets in just 56 matches, 18 more than the bowler in the second place, who had played eight more matches.

The 19-year-old from Afghanistan has established himself as one of the finest spinners in limited-overs and has been hugely successful in every domestic T20 competition that he has played in. His tally of 14 wickets in 9 matches in the ongoing edition of the Big Bash is one of the main reasons why Adelaide Strikers are through to the semi-final of the competition.

It was a surprise to see SRH opt against retaining the leg-spinner considering just how successful he has been and how expensive he might be in the auction. Even with a base price of 2 crore, he is likely to be amongst the most sought-after players as his ability to take wickets while keeping the runs down is simply staggering.

Mitchell Starc

Starc's death bowling skills make him a huge asset

Mitchell Starc might have opted to not take part in last year's IPL due to fitness issues and to prepare for the Champions Trophy but the Australian pacer is back in the Auction pool this time around. Even with a base price of 2 crore, it is a foregone conclusion that Starc ends up as one of the most expensive buys in the Auction.

Why? Aside from the fact that he is a brilliant death bowler and no team can have too many of those, he is also brilliant with the new ball, can nail his yorkers at will and his left-arm angle makes him difficult to get away. The fact that he is still only 27 and is at the top of his game only heightens his value.

Given the fact that a relatively unknown fast bowler like Tymal Mills went for a huge sum, it should come as no surprise if several teams are vying for Starc's signature and he finishes as one of the most expensive signings.

Jos Buttler

Buttler has been simply sensational for England

Michael Vaughan recently claimed that Jos Buttler has gone ahead of Dhoni due to his ability to impact the game with the bat. While the statement might be difficult to swallow for Indian fans, there can be little doubt about Buttler's ability to access any area of the park and hit boundaries at will.

It was a slight surprise that Mumbai Indians opted against retaining him but even with a base price of 1.5 crore, the England keeper will be one player that most teams will be looking to sign. His ability to play anywhere in the batting line-up and the impact that he has when he gets going is something that will weigh heavily on the minds of teams as they look to get their combinations right.

Colin Munro

It is difficult to fathom right now but at last year's Auction, Colin Munro had a base price of just 50 lakh but still went unsold. Perhaps due to that, he has kept his base price at 50 lakh despite the fact that he is currently the No.1 ranked T20I batsman and has the world record for most centuries in T20Is.

Ahead of an uncertain Auction in which all teams will look to shore up multiple areas and key trends might hard to predict, one thing is certain, Munro will certainly not go unsold this time around. In fact, there is a very high chance that he is one of the most expensive players in the Auction.

Every time needs an explosive opening batsman who can take the game away from the opponents and the southpaw is just that. His ability to clear the boundary at will makes him an invaluable asset to any side and the fact that he can chip with an over of two of medium pace only makes him even more valuable.

Ben Stokes

Could Stokes be the most expensive player for the second year in a row?

Plenty of eyebrows were raised when Rising Pune Supergiant went all out and secured Ben Stokes' signature for 14.5 crore, making him the most expensive overseas player in the history of the IPL. While few doubted his talent, many wondered if Pune should have spent so much on one player.

However, those doubts were quickly put aside as Stokes put in a stellar performance with both bat and ball, helping Pune reach the final of IPL 2017. A year later, although his playing time for England has been greatly reduced due to his involvement in a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub, he is still the one player that most teams will be looking to sign.

His ability to score heavily with the bat while also picking up crucial wickets with the ball and being exceptional in the field makes him an all-rounder every team would love to have. And it should come as no surprise if he finished as the most expensive player in the Auction for the second year in a row.