The Players auction (rather mini-auction) for the 2023 IPL will not be as grand as the 2022 counterpart and will mainly be held in December to allow the franchises to strengthen their weak areas from the last campaign.
Hereon, ST247 goes over 5 unsold players from last season that may be a good fit for teams that have holes exactly their size
IPL 2023 auction: Last season discards that may fetch a deal
1. Adam Zampa
The 30 year old leg-spinner from AUS is the best player on the list, as far as my opinion is concerned.
He is proven performer in T20 internationals with 75 scalps at an economy under seven. Moreover, he has 21 IPL wickets off 14 games, including a 5-wicket haul for 17 runs.
The only reason Adam Zampa has failed to find a buyer in recent times is due to the abundance of spinners in India.
But last season, sides realised not all local spinners can be trusted. Hence, a deal is likely for the cunning leggie.
Potential Buyers at IPL 2023 auction: Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians.
2. Shakib Al Hasan
One of the best all-rounders in world cricket, Bangladesh’s cricket darling Shakib Al Hasan is trustable with both bat and ball.
The left-arm spin of Shakib has accounted for 122 T20I wickets and 63 IPL wickets at a combined average of 23.3 to go with 2000+ international T20 runs.
He’ll be a suitable Moeen Ali backup at Chepauk dust bowls and can also serve as a top-order anchor for sides lacking one.
Potential Buyers at IPL 2023 auction: Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans.
3. Cheteshwar Pujara
People discard Cheteshwar Pujara the limited-overs batsman due to his block-everything philosophy in test cricket.
Regardless, Pujji boasts of a great One Day record. Moreover, his boundary-hitting abilities were on display during this year’s Royal London Cup.
Realistically, a top-order backup.
Potential Buyers at IPL 2023 auction: Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.
4. Chris Lynn
The uncrowned Big Bash King has not been able to nail down an international spot in the Kangaroo setup despite immense local and IPL success.
Last year, Chris Lynn was unsold and the year prior to that he got just one game. However, he does have an eye-catching IPL resume to show with 1329 runs at 32.4 stricken in excess of 140.
Homecoming to KKR is possible and the same goes for a move to GT as the defending champs will look to address their sole are of concern: The opening partner of Shubman Gil.
Potential Buyers at 2023 IPL auction: Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders.
5. Dawid Malan
Malan, not long ago, was the top-ranked T20I batsman with a substantial lead over the likes of Kohli and Jos Buttler.
WATCH VIDEO: NZ keeper Devon Conway’s amazing effort at the boundary rope goes viral
Though the latter duo have been IPL run-ghouls for seasons and seasons, Dawid has found it tough due to his troubles against spin.
But Malan has improved his spin game in recent times and since most of the decks in the Indian subcontinent are considerably flat. Thus, mediocre game against spin may not be THAT bad a tradeoff if it is accompanied by crunchy cover drives and pummeling pulls.
Teams looking for an opener, a No. 3 or a backup opener or backup No. 3 should look into him.
Potential Buyers at 2023 IPL auction: Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals.