The IPL 2023 Auctions concluded on December 23rd in Kochi. Like every auction, this event, too, had many quality cricketers going unsold. Nevertheless, they could still stand a chance to take part in the tournament as a replacement player. In the past, we have seen how replacement players can change the campaign for a franchise. Hence, these cricketers must not lose hope of playing in IPL 2023. Here, we take a look at five unsold players who might come back as replacement players for IPL 2023.
1) Rassie van der Dussen
IPL 2023 Auctions saw a lot of middle-order batters going for good money. Rassie van der Dussen is one player who has not got a chance to show his skills in the IPL. However, if there is any injury to an overseas batter, Rassie could get a chance.
Since the South African cricketer has a good game against pace, he can either open the innings or even play in the lower middle order. Hence, he would be a decent addition to any squad.
2) Riley Meredith
Riley Meredith is one of the unsold players who might come back as a replacement player for IPL 2023. Fast bowlers getting injured before or during a tournament is not a new thing. It would not be a surprise if teams always have a list of backups in case they encounter an injury to a key player.
Pace is a key aspect of overseas quicks. If they don’t offer, unless there are other aspects they are good at, teams may not prefer them. Riley Meredith can be a good option in this regard and hence, he belongs to this list.
3) Wayne Parnell
Wayne Parnell is back in the Auction and he is UNSOLD #TATAIPLAuction | @TataCompanies
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 23, 2022
Wayne Parnell came multiple times in the tournament and yet, no team was interested in him. Left-arm pacers such as Reece Topley and Josh Little went for good money at the auctions. Hence, Wayne Parnell can be considered to be in demand as a replacement option.
While Parnell offers great value at the start of an innings, he is also a decent batter in the lower order. Therefore, with the balance that he offers, Parnell still has a chance to take part in IPL 2023.
4) Rohan Kunnummal
Rohan Kunnummal is one of the unsold players who might come back as a replacement player for IPL 2023. An attacking opener, Rohan recently earned a spot in India A squad.
However, he could not find an IPL contract at the auctions. If any domestic cricketer gets injured during the season, Rohan can be a decent pick as a replacement. Of course, this depends on the combination that the team needs.
5) Shreyas Gopal
Surprisingly, Shreyas Gopal went unsold at the auctions. An experienced campaigner in the IPL, teams could have had him as a backup, at least. However, for Karnataka too, in T20s, Shreyas has not played a lot recently. This could have driven teams to not consider him.
That said, if any Indian spinner has an injury issue, due to his experience, Shreyas can be considered as a replacement option. Not to forget, the Karnataka cricketer is a fine batter and can contribute to this department, as well.
