The IPL has played a great role in bringing unknown talent – from both overseas and India – to limelight over the years. And players with the right talent, potential and statistics are always rewarded in the auctions, despite being relatively unknown in the world of cricket. So, there have always been some dark horses over the years, that have gone for prices more than that of some established and recognised players.
Let us look at ten such potential dark horses in this year’s IPL, who might end up with a lot of cash by the end of the auction.
1. Colin Ingram (Base Price: Rs 2 Crore)
The 32-year-old left-handed South African batsman is one of the dark horses in the auction to look out for.
He may go on to fetch a higher price than established names, mostly due to his exploits in T20 leagues across the world. Ingram has a rich experience of playing in 159 T20 matches with 4,039 runs to his name at an average 29.26 and a strike rate of 136.22. Those runs also include three centuries and 24 scores of fifty plus.
Moreover, he also bowls some handy leg spin and uses it to pretty good effect. He has 31 T20 wickets at an average of 29.35, economy of 7.50 and a strike rate of 23.4.
Ingram has been in superb form with the bat in the ongoing edition of the Big Bash League, and also in the previous edition of Natwest T20 Blast.
Due to all these reasons, his base price of Rs 2 crore is expected to get multiplied several times.
2. D’Arcy Short (Base Price: Rs 20 Lakh)
The western Australian all-rounder D’Arcy Short has taken the ongoing edition of Big Bash League by storm. He is now the highest scorer in the tournament, and also the man with most runs in a single edition of the Big Bash League’s history. He has 465 runs to his name in 7 matches of this edition’s BBL, an average of 77.50 and a strike rate of 153.46, that also includes a century and three fifties.
Moreover, he has proved himself effective with his left arm chinaman bowling. He has six wickets to his name in 16 T20s so far, an average of 27.66, economy of 8.58 and a strike rate of 19.3.
Priced at a bargain price of Rs 20 lakh, his price is only expected to sky rocket further as he belongs to those breed of players that every T20 team would crave for.
3. Jofra Archer (Base Price: Rs 40 Lakh)
The 22-year-old English player, Jofra Archer, has become one of the most hot T20 prospects in the world recently. His blistering pace with the ball and big hitting capabilities with the bat make him a valuable asset in the game’s shortest format.
He has been in sensational form with the bat in the ongoing edition of the Big Bash League. He has claimed 40 wickets so far in 34 T20s, an average of 23.60, economy of 7.81 and strike rate of 18.1.
Moreover, his lower order hitting prowess is also evident from his T20 career strike rate of 145.45.
There are high chances that franchises may end up fighting among themselves for Archer, with all the teams bidding for him.
4. Daniel Christian (Base Price: Rs 1 Crore)
Daniel Christian played a vital role in Rising Pune Supergiant’s road to the final last year. At a strike rate of 161.22, he provided a finishing touch to the Supergiant's innings every time with the bat and also claimed 11 wickets in 13 matches.
His overall T20 record is also highly impressive, scoring 3,183 runs with the bat in 222 matches, that also include a century.
He has also claimed 165 wickets with his medium pace. Although he is not one of the big names, he will be a highly sought after player during the auction.
5. David Willey (Base Price: Rs 2 Crore)
David Willey is one of the most underrated T20 players in the world. His all round skills make him an invaluable asset for any T20 side.
He has 2,053 runs and 139 wickets to his name in 143 matches at averages of 23.87 and 21.54 respectively. His batting strike rate of 142.17 is highly impressive and he has also got two T20 hundreds to his name.
Moreover, he is coming after an excellent Big Bash season with the Perth Scorchers in terms of all-round performances. So, franchises may end up having a bidding war for him.
6. Ben Cutting (Base Price: Rs 1 Crore)
Everyone remembers his match winning all-round performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the finals of IPL 2016 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
His unbeaten knock of 39 with the bat and 2/20 with the ball helped the Sunrisers on the night of the finals.
He is also going great guns out in the Big Bash League, scoring quick and vital runs and also chipping in with useful wickets.
Although he turns out to be expensive sometimes with his bowling, his hard hitting ability with the bat and ability to come up with crucial breakthroughs with the ball are something one can't ignore.
Franchises would be willing to pay a handsome amount for his superb all-round skills.
7. Cameron Delport (Base Price: Rs 30 Lakh)
Like Colin Ingram, Cameron Delport is another left-handed South African batsman who has played in different T20 leagues across the globe. He has a rich vein of experience, playing for franchises in the Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League and NatWest T20 Blast.
A total of 3,206 runs in 137 T20s, a strike rate of 138.48 and average of 26.71, is what makes him a highly attractive asset for a T20 side all over the world.
He can bowl some effective right arm medium pace too and has 48 T20 wickets to his name at an average of 25.39, economy of 7.65 and strike rate of 19.8.
He is just the kind of player that can add an extra advantage to a team.
Recently, he helped Leicestershire reach the quarterfinals of the NatWest T20 Blast in 2017 with a match winning knock of 109 not out off 59 deliveries.
8. Alex Carey (Base Price: Rs 30 Lakh)
Alex Carey is one of the rising Australian stars. The selectors rewarded him for his fine domestic form with his maiden ODI cap in the ongoing series against England.
Carey has shown his mettle as a T20 batsman in the ongoing edition of the Big Bash League. Given a chance at the top of the order by the Adelaide Strikers, Carey grabbed the opportunity with both hands, scoring 389 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 135.54 and an average of 55.57. He is second on the list of top run scorers in this edition of Big Bash League, next only to D’Arcy Short.
He scored a magnificent ton against the Hobart Hurricanes this season and gave a glimpse of his whole range of batting abilities. He has a sound technique against both pace and spin. Moreover, he is a sound wicket keeper, which will attract a hefty price tag for him in the IPL auction.
9. Dawid Malan (Base Price: Rs 50 Lakh)
Dawid Malan, one of England’s few bright aspects during their Ashes debacle in Australia recently, has been one of the best T20 batsmen over the years.
He has experience playing in T20 leagues around the world, like the PSL, NatWest T20 Blast and the BPL. And now he would be looking to make his mark in the IPL as well.
He has 3,669 T20 runs to his name in 140 matches at an average of 33.66 and strike rate of 125.65. Not only that, he has two T20 centuries to his name as well.
Although he has got his international career with England running quite late, he made his mark in his debut T20I for England scoring 78 runs off just 44 deliveries at Cardiff last year.
Franchises seeking reliable top order batsmen will have a close look on him.
10. Ish Sodhi (Base Price: Rs 50 Lakh)
Ish Sodhi, the New Zealand leg spinner, will be one to watch out for in the upcoming auction. He is a quality leggie capable of turning a match on its head with his leg breaks.
His T20I statistics read well – he has claimed 29 wickets in 14 matches for New Zealand so far, that too at an average of 14.89, economy of 6.89 and strike rate of 12.9.
He isn't a globe trotter yet and has played mostly in conditions that do not aid spin. However, his records read fantastic in those conditions and will only improve in Indian conditions which aid spin.
His overall T20 statistics are superb as well – 95 wickets in 84 matches at an average of 22.02, economy of 7.56 and strike rate of 17.4.
With a base price of only Rs 50 lakh, he is sure to go for a hefty amount.
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