IPL Auction 2020: 3 players who might go unsold for a second consecutive season due to a high base price 

It is almost time before yet another IPL auction takes centre stage on December 19 for the next edition of the IPL in 2020 in Kolkata. Recently, the list of 332 players who were shortlisted by the franchises with their base price was released ahead of the auction. With only 73 spots available across all the eight franchise, it will be interesting to see which all players get the nod to participate in IPL 2020.

A total of seven players will enter the auction with the highest base price of 2 crores including the likes of Dale Steyn, Chris Lynn, Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and a few others. Angelo Mathews was a surprising name in the list after the Sri Lankan faced the repercussions of a high base price in last year’s auction to find no takers for himself. However, no Indian was part of the elite list of highest base price players.

Robin Uthappa was the only Indian to enter the auction with a base price of 1.5 crores along with some of the other foreign players.

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With a host of choices available for the franchise, it seems quite realistic that some of the high base players might return unsold, mainly due to their base price.

Here we take a look at 3 high base price players who might go unsold for the second consecutive auction:

#3 Angelo Mathews – 2 crores

Angelo Mathews

The 32-year old Sri Lankan all-rounder, Angelo Mathews has not been able to replicate his ODI and Test success in the T20 format of the game. He last played a T20 in August 2018 and has failed to find a spot in the national T20I squad thereafter.

His recent limited-overs exploits in the T10 league in Abu Dhabi don’t offer enough hope for him to induce a bid in the IPL auction either. Mathews went unsold in the last IPL auction might find no takers for yet another time at this year’s auction. It comes across as a baffling decision to set the base price so high given his recent form and the kind of similar all-round options teams can bid for from the auction pool.

#2 Shaun Marsh – 1.5 Crores

Shaun Marsh

The Australian top-order batsman, Shaun Marsh has often been on the sidelines for his poor show in the shortest format of the game. Marsh, who was the highest run-getter in the first edition of the IPL, has adjusted his game which augurs well for his selection in the Test and ODI formats.

His declined batting prowess in T20s have often ruled him out of contention in this format. It is surprising to see as he prepares to enter the IPL auction with a base price of 1.5 crores given he didn’t arouse any interest from any of the franchises last time either in the auction 2019.

In the past year, Marsh hasn’t produced any worthy performances that might call for his inclusion in any of the teams next year. In all likelihood, the Western Australian batsman is likely to go unsold for the second year in a row in the IPL auction.

#1 Kyle Abbott – 1.5 crores

Kyle Abbott

The former South African pacer, Kyle Abbott signed a three-year Kolpak deal with Hampshire cricket in 2017 and has been a consistent performer for the county ever since. He has done wonders for Hampshire with the red-ball but has failed to produce similar performances in limited-overs cricket.

Even in the ongoing Mzansi T20 Super League, Abbott has been expensive despite being a key member of the Durban Heat. In seven matches this season, the 32-year old has only managed to pick eight wickets for the franchise.

With a base price of 1.5 crores in the IPL auction, the medium-pacer might find it tough to earn a bid for himself in the upcoming auction. He does not have the numbers to support his cause neither does he boast of enough experience in the T20 format. After going unsold in the last edition, it is likely that he might yet again return disappointed from the auction table.