Indian Premier League’s first-half reached the first phase of its business end on Sunday when all the teams completed their seven games with Kolkata Knightriders and Royal Challengers Bangalore squared off against each other. As the first phase of the tournament met its denouement, the mid-season transfer window opened up, unfurling the possibilities of a few changes to each team. As the transfer window kicks in, it will allow the franchises to loan or transfer players from other teams to bolster their reinforcements.
The teams generally have a strength of 20-25 players, however, after the panning out of the first half of the fray, a few heavyweight teams have been exposed inside out in the alien pitches of UAE and that is exactly why this window will bring in a lot of correctional opportunities for the teams who have got it all wrong so far. We will look at five players who will be in the top list of transfers for the mid-season window.
1. Ajinkya Rahane
The Indian international has managed a solitary game for Delhi Capitals so far and has been looking for more game time. He is a good anchor and a very good timer of the ball. His stay in the middle will ensure that the momentum can be carried on at the other end. That is exactly why he will be on the top of the transfer list in this window.
2. Lockie Ferguson
The New Zealand express bowler is still to get his first game in this year’s Indian Premier League. He is currently with Kolkata Knightriders and with the kind of fast bowling unit Kolkata has at the moment, the offing looms to be bleak for this Kiwi fast bowler. However, there are teams who have struggled so far to get their pace combination correct and the addition of Ferguson will enhance their ability.
3. Sherfane Rutherford
Rutherford is an amazing hitter of the ball and the 22-year-old as touted as future talent by former Australian captain and Delhi Capitals preceptor, Ricky Ponting. He was traded to Mumbai before the start of the season and being candid here making a breakthrough in the Mumbai team isn’t easy considering the raw talent and the excellent all-round ability that the defending champions possess.
4. David Miller
Miller is one of the hardest-hitting batsmen in the Indian Premier League and he has previously shown how ruthless he can be if gets going. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been used at all and he is not a bench-warmer by any chance. Teams like Kolkata and Sunrisers who have struggled badly with a man who can come down deep and smash will be an extremely fascinating option.
5. Nathan Coulter-Nile
Nathan Coulter-Nile is one of the premium fast bowlers of Australia and is known for his raw pace. In the tracks of UAE where other international bowlers have made merry, Coulter-Nile is still to get his first game. He can easily kiss speeds of 145 plus kays and can regularly bowl in the block. He will be another crucial moniker for other teams who have struggled with the ball, especially Punjab.
