Just like every year, the mini-auction ahead of IPL 2021 was an enthralling event where some of the biggest foreign players and talented Indian youngsters went under the hammer. Given this was the last year before the mega-auction ahead of IPL 2022 initiating a new three-year cycle, franchises spared no effort to cover all their bases and pick a complete squad capable of winning the coveted trophy.
While most of the foreign players enrolled did get a suitable bid worth their growing credentials, there were some, who were surprisingly ignored and didn’t get a bid even in the accelerated process of the auction. Considering the length of the tournament and fast forward nature of the format, the possibility of an injury to one of the key foreign players cannot be ruled out and thus, the rejected players can still get a chance to ply their trade at the world’s most-followed league. In the below piece, we look at 5 foreign players, who went unsold at mini-auction for IPL 2021 and can be picked later:
1. Alex Hales
Given his recent incredible form in BBL 10, where Hales smashed 543 runs from 15 innings at a staggering strike rate of 161.61 and an average of 38.79 playing for the Sydney Thunder, it came as a shock when none of the franchise showed any interest in availing his esteemed services.
The reason for the same could be any, ranging from his exclusion from the England limited-overs side, off-field controversies or lack of assurance, but between all this, it cannot be denied that Hales is one of the few cleanest strikers of the cricket ball going around.
Being naturally tall and strongly built, the attacking opener from England can take on the opposition bowling attacks right from the word go and keep them under duress. This rare ability puts him in good stead to earn a bid if an unfortunate injury happens to one of the foreign players.
2. Jason Roy
Another aggressive opening batsman from England, Roy’s unsold story became one of the highlights of this year’s player auction. Being released by DC given the availability of plenty of opening options, Roy was certain to be picked at the mini-auction as a dynamic opener, who could tee off from the first over itself.
His recent performances in the BBL 10, where he carted 355 runs from 12 innings at a strike rate of 130.51 and average of 32.27, helping the Perth Scorchers make the finale of the celebrated league, also suggested the same but franchises seemed adamant in not investing any money on foreign openers.
If not as an opener, Roy could have been considered as a floater in the middle order, taking the pressure off other designated finishers and adding solidity to the batting line-up. There’s no doubt that Roy is still in the mix for an IPL selection if a casualty occurs.
3. Devon Conway
A fiery left-handed middle-order batsman, Conway is in the form of his life when it comes to playing T20 cricket for New Zealand. The southpaw has stroked 275 runs from 8 matches at an average of 68.75 and a mind-boggling strike rate of 155.36.
His rich vein of form, however, wasn’t enough to guarantee him his first bid at the cash-rich league as franchises seemed least interested in going after overseas batsmen. While the focus was also on the finishers in the recently concluded auction, it wouldn’t have been a bad idea if franchises had thought Conway as one and thrust him with the responsibility.
Him being a left-hander adds variety to the batting line-up and in turn, makes it tough for the opposition bowlers to execute the set plans. Conway’s inclusion would have added an altogether different dimension to the team and augmented the chances of them lifting the trophy.
4. Jason Behrendorff
While overseas pacers hogged the limelight at this year’s auction, it was difficult to fathom the reason why Behrendorff was ignored from selection. A quality left-arm pacer, who extracts steep bounce owing to his height and can swing the ball both ways, Behrendorff was one of the most fascinating prospects available at the auction.
He enjoyed a successful season with the Perth Scorchers in BBL 10, picking 16 wickets from 16 innings at an average of 23.30 and an economy rate of 7.04. The period before that was a frustrating one for Behrendorff as he was out of the national side due to injury and took some time to recover from it.
This injury-prone nature can be a factor in franchises thinking otherwise and keeping him on standby as one who could be picked later if the chosen ones hurt themselves or pull out.
5. Sandeep Lamicchane
In a format dominated by leg-spinners, it was rather unusual to see a wrist-spinner of the quality of Lamicchane to miss out at this year’s player auction. He didn’t get a single game for DC in the last season and thus, the franchise deemed it wise to part ways with him and allow him an opportunity to ply trade for another deserving side.
Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out the way Lamicchane would have liked and it will be important for him to keep all this aside and conjure remarkable performances to be back in the reckoning. To push his case further, he had a decent outing at BBL 10, where the spinner picked 8 wickets from 8 innings at an average of 29.13 and an economy rate of 7.50 for the Hobart Hurricanes.
Given his tender age, leg-spinning quality and recent good performances, the franchises would have earmarked his name and may well be picked to bowl on the slow and dry helping pitches of India.
