Five overseas players who might be stolen at 1cr in IPL 2024 auctions

The auction of the biggest cricket league is just days away from starting. The teams have already made their plans to purchase some of the best players in the world, who have registered their names for the tournament. A total of 1116 players have registered their names for the tournament. It is worth noting that the number is more than the total number of players who had given their name to take part in the IPL 2022 auctions, which was a mega auction, compared to 2024, which will have mini auctions. Players from teams like South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand are likely to be in demand. 

Out of the names registered, only 590 players would go under the hammer. A total of 336 overseas players have registered their names for the auctions. Some of the best players in the world, who shined in the recently concluded ODI World Cup 2023 like Travis Head, Rachin Ravindra, Gerald Coetzee, Mitchell Starc, Daryl Mitchell, Pat Cummins, Azmatullah Omarzai, Josh Hazlewood, David Willey and others are available to be picked. Some of the overseas players might not be in demand, given their roles and reputation. Such players can be brought at their base price.

Usually, All-rounders and pacers in good form are in high demand in the mini auctions. Everything depends on the roles the franchises would be looking to fill in particular. Here are the five overseas players who might be stolen at INR 1 crores by the franchises. 

5. Riley Meredith

Riley Meredith is one of the quickest bowlers in the world right now. The Australian pacer has a name for himself in the Big Bash League, where he rose to supremacy with his pace bowling. The Australian pitches which are fast and bouncy assist his nature of bowling. Unfortunately, his bowling side did not suit the Indian conditions in the last couple of seasons, where he was not that threatening in the league. Despite his improvements, he was not that successful as a bowler in the indian league.

Meredith has added new skills to his arsenal. He now has slower ones and cutters that can work in some of the grounds in India. Change of pace would still be the key for the bowlers. Meredith was sold for a huge price in his debut season for Punjab Kings. He was later picked by Mumbai Indians. In both the franchises, he did not get enough opportunity to prove himself. Hence, the franchises might be looking at him only as a backup option, which might see him getting sold at a base price. 

4. Alazarri Joseph

Alzarri Joseph is one of the best pacers in the world. From the West Indies, he is the best pacer currently. The express pacer is known for his aggression as a bowler. He is one of the most honest bowlers and tends to give his everything as a bowler in the field. In the last couple of seasons, Joseph played a key role in the success of Gujarat Titans. The right-arm pacer can operate at over 145 kmph and has good judgement over varying his lengths and pace. It shows his thinking ability to get the better of the batters.

In the last few seasons, Joseph is preferred as a middle overs bowler. But he can be good at the top and towards the back end as well. The West Indian pacer is often underrated. He can fulfil various roles assigned to him in various phases of the game. But he is not one of the bowlers who are in demand. Franchises do not consider him as someone who can spearhead the attack. Hence, his value is usually not that high in the league. Hence, he might be picked for INR 1cr in the auction. 

3. Rovman Powell

Rovman Powell has established himself as one of the best designated finishers in world cricket today. The West Indian cricketer has also become the captain of his side. As a leader of the new side, Powell has been impressive. In his stint as the captain of the side, Powell has been able to bring the stability as a captain and as a batter lower down the order. Under his captaincy, West Indies has beaten sides like South Africa and India in the T20I series. It has added on to his credentials.

Asa  finisher, Rovman has been at his usual best. Even in the Caribbean Premier League 2023, he proved to be a good finisher on pitches that are not easy to bat on. The West Indian was bought by Delhi Capitals for the 2022 and the 2023 seasons. While he was good in his role, Delhi did not trust in him for the upcoming season. As a result, the power hitter would be in the auction for the next season. Since it will be a mini auction, where the focus would be on buying All-rounders, Powell might not get sold at a huge price. 

2. Kyle Jamieson

Kyle Jamieson was one of the best bowlers in the world at the world stage in the early 2020s. In 2020 and 2021, batters found him difficult to score against, particularly in the longer formats like Tests and ODIs. For IPL 2021, Jamieson was bought by RCB, in which he bagged a huge sum for himself. In the first half of the season, Jamieson bowled well. After that, the league was moved to UAE and he could not take part due to injuries. in the seasons following it, Jamieson lost his form.

The tall pacer has endured many injurues since then. As a result, he has not been able to perform as good as he would have liked. Moreover, the success of Jamieson has been in the longer formats. In the shortest format, the right-arm pacer has not been able to perform as well. The batters have found out a way to score against him. Though he can bat as well, the franchises are no longer considering him as someone who could provide a big value to their sides. Hence, he might be stolen at the auctions.

1. Daryl Mitchell

Daryl Mitchell was one of the best performers in the ODI World Cup 2023. The Kiwi batter was the best middle order batter in the tournament and played some of the best knocks one could ever see. In the semifinal of the tournament, Mitchell scored 132(119) against India, which was acknowledged by even the Indian crowd. With his clean hitting, the tall batter impressed everyone. The franchises would surely be impressed by his batting. Mitchell is a medium pacer, who can offer a bit of bowling as well.

The thing that might go against him is his age. He is well over 30 and might not be trusted to have a longer career. Barring that, he has done everything right in the last few years. The Kiwi batter has established himself as one of the best All-format batters in the last few months. Unfortunately, middle order overseas batters do not command that big a value in the Indian Premier League, particularly in the mini auctions. Hence, teams that eventually grab him might be over the moon for the price they bag him.