Many star players from the previous editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL) have been left high and dry after their teams decided not to retain them.
Most of these players have been in the team for a long time and have grown with it.
As over 500 players go under the hammer in Bengaluru for the IPL auction on 27 and 28 January, eyes will be on players from the top price bracket, who may have aged but their potency, zeal and dedication for the game hasn’t taken a dip at all.
With Dhoni, who is one of the oldest players in the tournament, already being retained by the Chennai Super Kings, let’s take a look at more such players who defy age and are expected to find lot of takers in the upcoming auction.
1. Imran Tahir (38 years)
Going at the auction, Imran Tahir of South Africa at 38 years and 298 days is the oldest cricketer in the IPL auction this year.
The Pakistani-origin cricketer made his debut in the IPL for the Delhi Daredevil in 2014 where he was till 2016. For the last season, Tahir moved to now defunct Rising Pune Super Giants.
With 47 wickets in 32 IPL matches at an average of 24.46 and an economy of 8.21, Tahir has made his mark in his short IPL career. Starting his IPL career very late at 34, the leggie has worked hard enough to keep himself relevant among the youngsters in the tournament.
The former number one T20 bowler is expected to garner lot of interest among the franchises in the upcoming auction.
2. Chris Gayle (38 years)
At 38 years and 120 days, Christopher Henry Gayle is the second oldest player to play the T20 extravaganza in India.
Undoubtedly, the king of IPL, Chris Gayle has lit so many matches in every season of IPL with fireworks from his bat. He has scored 3626 runs in 101 matches, with the highest average of 41.2 among all batsmen in the IPL. Gayle also holds the record for most number of sixes hit by a player in the IPL. With 173 sixes, Suresh Raina is distant second as Gayle leads the chart with a whopping 265 sixes. He also holds the record for the highest individual score of 175 not out.
Gayle, who made his debut in the first season of IPL in 2008, played for Kolkata Knightriders before switching over to Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011. After ordinary three season with the Kolkata outfit, Gayle finally tasted success with team from Bengaluru.
After a below average 2017 season and also considering his age, it will be interesting to see whether the once revered Chris Gayle attracts any bidding war, or the worst-case scenario goes unsold.
3.Harbhajan Singh (37 years)
After being picked up by Mumbai Indians in the first season in 2008, Harbhajan Singh has been with them throughout his IPL career.
The ‘Turbanator’, who has even led the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, is the third highest wicket-taker in IPL history, with 127 wickets in 136 IPL matches. At an average of 26.65 and an economy of 6.95, Harbhajan has been one of the most economical bowlers in IPL.
This is probably for the first time that Mumbai Indians haven’t retained him. More than his age, the drop in his performance might be the reason for such a decision.
Harbhajan has managed to pick only five wickets in his last eight T20 matches in domestic season.
A drop in form, along with the age factor, will play an important role when Harbhajan goes under the hammer at the auction this weekend.
4. Shane Watson (36 years)
At 36 years and 218 days, Australia’s Shane Watson is still a force to reckon with.
In his very first season in the IPL, Watson made his presence felt. Playing for the Rajasthan Royals, he, along with mentor and captain Shane Warne, and Yusuf Pathan, was instrumental in helping the side win the inaugural edition.
Watson has played 102 matches in the IPL so far, since making his debut in 2008. After the Royals were suspended for two years in 2015 on charges of spot fixing, Watson was picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore for the next two years.
Watson has scored 2622 runs in the IPL at an average of 31.21 and a strike rate of 138.66. The Australian all rounder also has picked 86 wickets in the IPL.
After great nine years at Rajasthan, where he even led the side he fairly quite two years with Royal Challengers, managing to score only 250 runs and take 25 wickets in 24 matches.
A true matchwinner, Watson, known for his clean hitting is not expected to get the same reception this time like previous auctions. His form with Bangalore might play a part. But you can never write off a player like Watson so we have to play the waiting game.
5. Brendon McCullum (36 years)
Brendon McCullum singlehandedly made sure that IPL becomes a hit with the audience on the day one itself.
No cricket fan can forget that innings from McCullum at the Chinaswamy Stadium. Playing for Kolkata Knight Riders, he went onto score 158 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the very first match in the IPL history.
Apart from Kolkata, McCullum has also represented the now defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions.
McCullum has played 103 matches in the IPL to score 2753 runs at an average of 28.09. He also two centuries to his name.
McCullum may have ended his international career, but his form with the Brisbane Heats in the Big Bash League still makes him a serious contender, who can conjure a bidding war in the auction.
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