IPL Auction 2020: 5 players who could earn their maiden contracts

The auction for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League is all set to take place on 19th December. The franchises had released their final list of the retained players last week and they would look forward to signing some new players who can help them win the title.

There have been a plethora of players who have succeeded in their IPL career by playing good T20 cricket over the last few seasons. Players like MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli have been a part of the league since 2008 and they still are an integral part of their IPL teams.

However, a few players are yet to earn their maiden IPL contract despite starring in international cricket since the past few years. All of them would be hopeful of getting a bid in this auction so they can also begin their IPL career. This article features the list of 5 cricketers who can earn their maiden IPL contracts in 2020.

Also see - IND vs WI schedule

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#5 Sheldon Cottrell

Sheldon Cottrell

The 30-year-old Jamaican fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell has performed exceptionally well in the year 2019. With his quality left-handed pace bowling and the different variations, the Caribbean player has wowed the entire cricketing fraternity. He was an integral part of the West Indian squad which took part in the 2019 ICC World Cup. Cottrell finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker from his side with 12 wickets in just 9 matches.

Looking at his numbers in the shortest format of the game, the Jamaican fast bowler has played 19 T20 internationals where he has scalped 27 wickets. His bowling average of 19.40 is quite decent while his best bowling figures record of 4/28 can tempt the franchises to sign him.

A lot of teams lack a quality pacer in their squads, hence, the chances that Cottrell earns his maiden IPL contract this year are very high.

#4 Adil Rashid

Adil Rashid can turn the game with his leg-spin bowling.

It has become a necessity in T20 cricket to have a leg spinner in the side, especially on Indian tracks. Hence, all the IPL franchises would try to have at least one leg-spinner in the side who can turn the game around. In this situation, Adil Rashid from England can be regarded as one of the best possible options.

Rashid is a leg spinner who was a part of the winning squad in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. He has been England’s marquee leg-spinner for quite a while. The 31-year-old made his international T20 debut in 2009 on the back of his impressive domestic performances.

He has played 40 T20I matches in his career, grabbing 39 wickets at a very promising economy rate of 7.51 with his best figures being 3 for 11. It would be interesting to see which team bids for him as he can be a game-changer in the spin department.

#3 Glenn Phillips

Glenn Philips is an opening batsman from New Zealand who can keep the wickets as well

Glenn Phillips is a South Africa-born cricketer who plays for New Zealand in international cricket. He made his T20I debut on 17 February 2017 during a T20 game between New Zealand and South Africa as a replacement for the injured Martin Guptill. Phillips plays the role of an opening wicket-keeper batsman for New Zealand and he has the talent to become a T20 star.

The Kiwi has played 11 T20I matches in his career, scoring 140 runs which includes one half-century. His highest score in this format is 56 runs. However, his numbers are much better in league cricket. Phillips would hope to bag his first IPL contract in 2020 as there are a few franchises who need to sign one backup wicketkeeper in the auction.

Delhi Capitals and Kings XI Punjab should target him in the upcoming auction as he can prove to be a great second choice if their frontline wicket-keepers get injured or are out of form. He can also prove to be a handy option with the bat in the top order.

#2 Tom Banton

CSK and MI have shown interest in acquiring Tom Banton.

England’s Tom Banton has become the centre of attraction ahead of the IPL auction based on his extraordinary domestic T20 performances. Banton is a 21-year-old wicket-keeper batsman who could grab the attention of most IPL franchises in the auction. His recent T20 have been good and the youngster is very likely to receive an expensive contract during the auction. He can even create a bidding war between the IPL franchises.

Banton smashed 549 runs in 13 matches while playing for Somerset in the Vitality T20 Blast. He plays for the same side in the County Championship where he has smashed 533 runs from 18 innings including 5 half-centuries. The fact that he has already been signed by the Brisbane Heat side for the upcoming edition of Big Bash League proves how he is valued around the world.

Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have already shown their interest in signing him for IPL 2020. It would be intriguing to see which side buys him and at what price.

#1 Joe Root

Joe Root would hope to make his IPL debut in 2020.

One of the most surprising names in this list is that of the English Test captain, Joe Root. Despite playing international cricket for the last 7 years, the star batsman is yet to bag his maiden IPL contract. Even though he plays more in the Test and ODI formats, his T20 figures are also quite promising and could attract franchises. Root can prove to be a resourceful option in the middle order who can save the side in case of a top-order collapse.

The England Test captain has played 32 international T20 matches in his career during which he has batted in 30 innings. In those 30 innings, he has scored 893 runs, including 5 half-centuries, at an average of 35.72.

It would be exciting to see which team bids for him as he can play the role of a skipper with his international experience and captaincy skills.