IPL Auctions 2018: 5 New Zealand players who could start a bidding war

Unlike the brown birds native to New Zealand, the Kiwis have flown high in the IPL over the years, trading their unmistakable black jerseys for different hues in the ten seasons of the tournament. The fireworks of the brand itself were set alight by a brazen Brendon McCullum in 2008, and his countrymen have carried on the legacy in different ways, from Mitchell McClenaghan's dream spells to Ross Taylor's stunning leg-side hoicks.

IPL 2018 promises to be another such year, with as many as 24 Kiwi players having enlisted for the auctions.

Five of them, courtesy their unmatched prowess in the shortest format, could start a bidding war amongst the franchises:

#5 Luke Ronchi

A rather surprising name on this list, Ronchi has experienced the IPL in the past, albeit for an extremely limited duration.

The 36-year-old's stint with the Mumbai Indians in 2008 and 2009 did not go according to plan though as he featured in just five matches, aggregating 34 runs with a high score of 13.

However, his game has come leaps and bounds since then and he has become a T20 mercenary of sorts, offering his services to franchises across the globe. Ronchi excelled in T20s in 2017, scoring over 1000 runs at a strike rate of nearly 180, making him one of the top players last year.

Almost all the franchises will be on the lookout for a destructive wicket-keeper batsman and at INR 75 lakhs, Ronchi will not burn too big a hole in their pockets.

#4 Ish Sodhi

Sodhi has taken to T20s like a fish to water

New Zealand are not renowned for producing quality spinners, but in Ish Sodhi, they seem to have unearthed a gem. Perennially flying under the radar, Sodhi has managed to usurp the likes of Rashid Khan and Jasprit Bumrah to sit atop the ICC T20I rankings for bowlers.

The leggie has a stunning economy rate of just 6.85 after 19 T20Is, and with pitches in India aiding bowlers who like to toss the ball up, Sodhi could be a revelation in the IPL.

Leg-break bowlers are hugely important in all versions of the game purely for their wicket-taking abilities and Sodhi is sure to go for big money in the auctions.

At INR 50 lakhs, Sodhi is a relatively cheaper option when compared to the other spinners in the auction (Rashid Khan, Ravichandran Ashwin I am looking at you).

#3 Neil Wagner

Neil Wagner could be a surprise pick in the upcoming auction

One of the best exponents of the short ball in world cricket at the moment, Neil Wagner has fought tooth and nail to get out of the massive shadow cast by New Zealand's pace spearheads Trent Boult and Tim Southee.

Although a Test specialist by trade, Wagner has a skillset that can be adapted to any format and any condition. He has never played an ODI or T20I for his country, but what better way to make it into the national team than proving your credentials in the most lucrative T20 league in the world.

In 68 T20 matches for his domestic side, Wagner has an economy rate of over 8 which is on the more expensive side, but he is a proven wicket-taker, as evidenced by his 73 scalps.

With top-quality international bowlers hard to come by on the cheap, Wagner, listed at INR 50 lakhs, could be the saving grace for any franchise owner that happens to have an ear open when his name is announced.

#2 Colin Munro

Munro had a stellar 2017 season

The No. 1-ranked T20I batsman in the world, Colin Munro will surely have plenty of suitors in the upcoming auction. The only batsman to have struck three T20I centuries, Munro has been in blistering touch for New Zealand of late.

With his base price set at INR 50 lakhs, Munro will be a steal, if he does indeed go for that much, which is unlikely.

The New Zealander went unsold last time around but will definitely find a bidder this season. With most teams in the market for destructive top-order batsmen, Munro will be the first name on team owners' minds.

The southpaw averages 30 and strikes at 150 in T20s, a testament to his abilities in the shortest format of the game. Throw in his part-time bowling, and he becomes one of the most valuable players in the format.

#1 Colin de Grandhomme

de Grandhomme turned out for KKR in IPL 10

Tailor-made for the shortest format of the game, Colin de Grandhomme has all the qualities needed to make a living out of T20 cricket. An extremely clean striker of the ball, a handy bowler with both new and old ball, and blessed with a safe pair of hands, there is very little de Grandhomme cannot do on a cricket field.

The 31-year-old turned out for the Knight Riders last season, but did not have a great time and has subsequently been thrust into the auction pool for the upcoming edition of the T20 extravaganza.

In 134 T20s, de Grandhomme has an average of 25 and strike rate of 168, extremely healthy numbers indeed, and will not find it too hard to get a suitor in the auctions.