2016 IPL Auctions: Teams and their needs

The 2016 IPL auction is just around the corner and the franchisees would have started to do their homework on which players to pick in the IPL auctions. All the franchisees are given a total purse of Rs 66 crores. From that 66 crores, the teams will have to compromise the fee they spent for the retained players and the remaining money will be used during the IPL auctions. Also read: IPL 2016 Schedule, complete Time Table, Match Timings, PDF downloadEach team can have a maximum of 27 players out of which 9 can be overseas professionals. Among the wishlists of the teams, there might be some names who are sought after by almost all the teams such as Irfan Pathan, Pawan Negi, Ashish Nehra, Martin Guptill, Yuvraj Singh, Sanju Samson, Nathu Singh etc.Also read: IPL 2016: Teams and full players listLet us take a look at the requirements and the players likely to be brought by each and every franchise.Also read: Want to win free IPL 9 match tickets? The Vivo IPL Dubsmash Contest is here

#1 Delhi Daredevils

Daredevils haven't had a settled side throughout the eight seasons of the IPL.

Delhi Daredevils, the team that is yet to have a settled line-up in spite of playing from the inaugural season is set to face the same crisis once again as the Daredevils management has again sold a lot of players just to increase their auction purse.

Daredevils go into the auction with a purse of 37.15 crores and they can buy a maximum of 14 players, out of which 4 must be overseas players. They need an opening batsman, middle order batsmen, a wicket-keeper and some backup pacers.

Auction purse: Rs. 37.15 crores

Maximum players they can buy: 14 (10 Indians and 4 overseas)

Possible options:

They need an opening batsman and there must be no second thoughts in buying Martin Guptill for the position.

For middle order batsmen, Delhi might look to buy back Indian southpaw Yuvraj Singh and buy Kevin Pietersen, Karun Nair, Rohan Prem and Sanju Samson, who can be the Indian wicketkeeper they are looking for.

They might also buy Darren Sammy, Irfan Pathan, Tim Southee, Nathu Singh etc. as the pacers.

#2 Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Super Giants

Gujarat Lions have declared Suresh Raina as their captain for this season.

Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Super Giants are the new entrants to the IPL as the replacements for Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. Both these teams took part in the IPL draft and picked 5 players each.

Since both these teams will have to begin from scratch, they woulld have to pick players for almost all the roles, and it is difficult predict who they would target amongst the players available.

Auction purse: Rs 27 crores (for both the teams)

Maximum players Pune can buy: 22 (15 Indians and 7 overseas)

Maximum players Gujarat can buy: 22 (16 Indians and 6 overseas)

#3 Kings XI Punjab

Punjab would be without the services of Virender Sehwag this season.

Like Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab also tend to change the core of their squad. For this year’s IPL, they have let go of their skipper George Bailey, Virender Sehwag (who is the mentor of Kings XI Punjab) and retained some of their batsmen who could be crucial in T20s.

They have Rs. 23 crore left in their auction purse and have to buy 13 players out of which 5 can be overseas players. They need an all-rounder, a spinner and a pacer.

Auction purse: Rs. 23 crores

Maximum players they can buy: 13 (8 Indians and 5 overseas)

Possible options:

For the all-rounder’s slot, they might be tempted to buy Irfan Pathan, Shane Watson, Pawan Negi and Stuart Binny.

For the pacer’s slot, buying Ashish Nehra, Mohit Sharma, Nathu Singh, Andrew Tye and Dale Steyn will be a good option for the Kings.

As far as the spinners are concerned, Kings XI might look to sign Pravin Tambe and Pragyan Ojha.

#4 Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR would look to but replacement options for their injury-prone players.

Among all the teams in this year’s IPL auction, Kolkata Knight Riders have a balanced side as they have retained their potential playing XI ahead of the auctions. Still they have Rs 17.95 crores to buy 12 players out of which 3 can be foreigners.

With a settled squad, they would like to buy some replacement players. With Sunil Narine’s action under the cloud, there are chances that he might be banned from bowling. In that case, they might opt for Sachitra Senanayake, Samuel Badree as replacements.

Kolkata will also try to buy a replacement for Morne Morkel, who is injury prone. In that case, Morne's compatriot Dale Steyn will be a possible option for the Knight Riders.

Apart from them, Kolkata will look to buy some utility players from the auction.

Auction purse: Rs. 17.95 crores

Maximum players they can buy: 12 (9 Indians and 3 overseas)

#5 Mumbai Indians

Mumbai are in a position to buy three foreign players.

The defending champions will have Rs 14.40 crores to buy 8 players out of which 3 can be foreigners. Like Kolkata Knight Riders, their squad is also almost settled, still Mumbai will look to sign a local all-rounder and a spinner.

They might go all-out to buy Pawan Negi. Apart from Negi, they will look to buy a backup opener and some local batsmen for the middle order.

Auction purse: Rs. 14.40 crores

Maximum players they can buy: 8 (5 Indians and 3 overseas)

#6 Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB would look to hunt for all-rounders.

Once again, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have retained the core and will look to buy some players who can strengthen their middle order and their bowling department. They go into the auction with Rs 21.625 crores in hand from which they have to buy 13 players including 4 foreigners.

Auction purse: Rs. 21.625 crores

Maximum players they can buy: 13 (9 Indians and 4 overseas)

Possible options:

They need an all-rounder and just like other teams, Irfan Pathan and Pawan Negi will be on their radar. Apart from them, the likes of Stuart Binny, Jimmy Neesham and Shane Watson can meet their requirement.

With Mitchell Starc doubtful, RCB will look to buy a bowler who can bowl well at the start and also in the slog overs. Ashish Nehra might be an option for them. Apart from him, Vijay Mallya’s men might go after Mohit Sharma, Tim Southee, Matt Henry etc.

#7 Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers would try to find a solution to their middle-order woes.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have a very good top order but are vulnerable in the middle order. Buying some good middle order batsmen will be their main priority. Apart from the middle order batsmen, they will look to buy a quality local spinner and a fast bowler to accompany Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Trent Boult.

They go to the auction with Rs. 30.15 crores for buying 12 players including 4 foreigners.

Auction purse: Rs. 30.15 crores

Maximum players they can buy: 12 (8 Indians and 4 overseas)

Possible options:

With the money they have, they might be the favourites to sign Yuvraj Singh and apart from him, they might set their sights on Stuart Binny, Deepak Hooda, Irfan Pathan.

They need to strengthen their spin department and Pragyan Ojha and Pravin Tambe might be the likely candidates.