IPL 2019 Auction: One released player each franchise should buy

The preparations for the 2019 edition of the IPL are in full swing now. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had asked all the eight franchises to submit the list of released players by November 15. Some interesting choices have been made by all the franchises. More than 50 players have been released overall and this means that the auction which is set to take place next month in Jaipur will be an extremely exciting one. Some of the big names like Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Finch, Mitchell Starc, Jason Roy, Chris Woakes have been released by their respective franchises.

A few trades also took place over the past few days as Quinton de Kock moved from the Royal Challengers Bangalore to the Mumbai Indians while Shikhar Dhawan was traded to the Delhi Daredevils in exchange for three Indian stars. Marcus Stoinis was traded to RCB for Mandeep Singh.

With each team having announced its squad going into the auction, let's take a look at one released player each franchise should look to buy at the upcoming auctions.

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#1 Aaron Finch (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

The Royal Challengers Bangalore has been a batting heavy side for some time now. They had the likes of Shane Watson, Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle in their repertoire in the years gone by.

But at last year’s auctions, RCB’s team management acted smartly and tried to have a balanced squad at their disposal by trying to beef up their bowling options. RCB have some very good options with the ball in the form of Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Umesh Yadav. However, their batting is missing that “oomph” factor at the top this year as they have only Parthiv Patel as a specialist opening batsman.

Australian T20 captain Aaron Finch has been released by the Kings XI Punjab this year. The Virat Kohli led side should go out all guns blazing to acquire the services of Finch at the auctions.

Finch is one of the biggest hitters of the cricket ball in international cricket and is the Number 2 batsman on the ICC T20 rankings list. Finch can be the X-factor that RCB seems to lack with the bat. His acquisition would also free up Virat and AB and allow them to play their natural game.

#2 Carlos Brathwaite (Delhi Daredevils)

The perennial underachievers of the IPL- the Delhi Daredevils have made a statement of the sort this year by releasing the underperforming big names in the form of Glenn Maxwell, Gautam Gambhir, and Mohammed Shami ahead of the auctions. The only recognized all-rounder left in the squad is South African, Chris Morris. Cricket South Africa(CSA) may want to wrap their famed all-rounder in a cotton wool ahead of the 2019 World Cup. Hence, it becomes pivotal for Delhi to have adequate back up for Morris.

One star all-rounder that is available is West Indian T20 captain Carlos Brathwaite. Brathwaite has struggled to make an impact with bat/ball at the international level. After being acquired by the Sunrisers last year, he struggled for game time but played some vital cameos in the limited opportunities he got.

His arm strength can clear the ropes on any ground. If he can work on his batting display against the spinners, Brathwaite can guide Delhi to their maiden IPL title.

#3 JP Duminy (Kings XI Punjab)

The Kings XI Punjab had a torrid time last year as they once again failed to make it to the playoffs. The bulk of the scoring last year was done by KL Rahul and Chris Gayle while the middle order failed to get going. They have released a whopping 11 players this year before the auctions, leaving some inexperience in the fragile middle order.

There is no all-rounder in the leftover squad as Marcus Stoinis has been exchanged for RCB’s Mandeep Singh.

One player with tons of experience of playing in the IPL is South African star JP Duminy. KXIP already have much top order bat available but they need someone to do the finishing role. David Miller has struggled for runs in the past few seasons of the IPL and may make way for JP Duminy in the playing XI. Duminy is also a pretty handy off-spinner and can easily chip in with 2-3 overs. He can also be a candidate for captaincy.

#4 Brendon McCullum (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Kolkata Knight Riders have one of the most balanced squads in the IPL. They have adequate options for all the departments. The team management decided to retain the three top-performing foreigners, namely Chris Lynn, Andre Russell, and Sunil Narine. They have let go of all the other foreigners in their side.

The dynamic duo of Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine at the top worked in some of the games last year before Narine’s weakness against the short ball was figured out by rival teams. Lynn may skip the IPL next year due to shoulder concerns. This leaves only Robin Uthappa has a recognized top order bat.

The scene is set for the home-coming of sorts of Brendon McCullum. ‘Baz’ has been released by RCB this year.

Not only is he an asset with the bat but McCullum is also a livewire on the field. His experience would also come in handy in guiding the younger lot in the team. The fact that he will be available for the whole duration of the IPL only makes his case stronger.

#5 Chris Jordan (Mumbai Indians)

The 3-time IPL champions had a poor season last year as they failed to make it to the playoffs. This led to Mumbai releasing 10 players including 4 foreigners from their squad. These changes have left Mumbai a bit short in the fast bowling department. They have only Jasprit Bumrah as a recognized Indian fast bowler.

The World Cup 2019 is scheduled straight after the IPL and with captain Virat Kohli publicly stating that he wants his pace spearhead well rested ahead of the World Cup, it is highly likely that Bumrah will be rested for the matches scheduled in the last few weeks of the IPL.

Mumbai can bring the much needed T20 experience in their line up by acquiring the services of Englishman Chris Jordan. Jordan has played more than 130 T20s and is known for his brilliant yorkers at the death.

He is also an excellent fielder. Jordan is currently not in England’s scheme of things for the 2019 World Cup and is likely to be available for the full duration of the IPL. The team management should leave no stone unturned in going after Jordan at the auctions.

#6 Mohammad Shami (Rajasthan Royals)

The Rajasthan Royals played out of their skins last year to reach the playoffs with a depleted squad. But it seems that the team management is not too happy with their squad as they have released as many as 10 players. One of the most expensive signings of last year Jaydev Unadkat who was bought for a massive price tag of Rs 11.5 cr has also been released. This has left their pace bowling department looking paper thin with only Dhawal Kulkarni as the experienced fast bowler.

Rajasthan can fill that void in the pace bowling department by going after Mohammed Shami at the auctions. Shami was released by the Delhi Daredevils after a dismal show in the 2018 edition of the IPL.

However, he is a proven match winner with tons of experience. The fact that Shami is a wicket-taking bowler makes him a hot property at the auctions. With the IPL likely to be held in South Africa where the conditions are conducive to seam bowling, the Royals should make him their prime target at the auctions if they are to pose any sort of title challenge.

#7 Manoj Tiwary (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

The Sunrisers Hyderabad had an excellent outing last season, reaching the finals. However, one problem they have failed to sort out is their middle order batting. Very often the top order has given them great starts but the middle order has failed to capitalize. Their famed signing Manish Pandey had a poor season last year but has been retained. Yusuf Pathan is past his prime and struggles to influence matches these days.

Manoj Tiwary, the star Bengal batsman, has been around for some time now. However, the stylish middle-order batsman has struggled for game time in the IPL, having played just 5 matches last season for the Kings XI Punjab.

He was in cracking form for Bengal in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare trophy. A move for Tiwary would certainly strengthen Sunrisers’ fragile middle order. Tiwary is a complete package as he can bowl some useful part-time leg spin and is also a sensational fielder.

#8 Jaydev Unadkat (Chennai Super Kings)

The defending champions decided not to tinker much with their winning combination, releasing just three players in total, namely Englishman Mark Wood and Indian uncapped players Kshitiz Sharma and Kanishk Seth. Chennai is a batting heavy side having arguably the best batting line up in IPL.

However, the fast bowling department is just an injury away from a crisis. South African speedster Lungi Ngidi may be rested ahead of the World Cup. Hence, Chennai should try to beef up their bowling stock at the auctions.

Jaydev Unadkat is one player who might again go for big bucks at the auctions. Unadkat had a dismal year last season as he failed to justify his price tag of Rs 11.5 cr. However, Unadkat had a stellar IPL-2017 in which he emerged as one of the leading wicket takers and helped his team Pune reach the final. His experience and variations of pace in the death overs may prove pivotal for the defending champions who lack in death bowling options.