Win Projections to be updated soon
With the IPL 2024 auction quickly approaching, all cricket enthusiasts want to know which players have the chance to sign big contracts. It was recently reported in multiple news outlets that over 1100 players have signed up for the next business event.
Following their outstanding performances in the just-finished 2023 World Cup, a few bowlers are now the favorites to spark fierce bidding between the teams and bring in enormous sums of money at the major auction that will take place in Dubai on December 19, 2023.
The following list of five bowlers could fetch hefty sums of money at the 2024 IPL auction:
1. Pat Cummins
The name of Australia’s One-Day International (ODI) and Test captain Pat Cummins is anticipated to be revealed in the next auction, following his absence from the 2023 IPL. The Australian pacer led his team to a thrilling World Cup 2023 championship win.
In 11 matches at an economy of 5.75, he claimed 15 wickets in the premier ODI competition. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) paid INR 14 crore to secure his services for the following two seasons during the 2020 IPL auction. With his current form, Cummins may get paid well this time around.
Regarding his performance in the IPL, the pacer has taken 45 wickets at an economy of 8.54 in 42 games. He made history in 2022 when, alongside KL Rahul, he hit the joint-fastest half-century in league history with a 14-ball fifty against the Mumbai Indians (MI). After Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 13-delivery fifty against KKR in 2023, the record was eventually broken.
2. Adil Rashid
Serving Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2023, Adil Rashid took two wickets at an economy rate of 8.00 in two games. SRH benched him for the whole competition despite his respectable bowling figures in the first two games, and the team has since decided not to use him in the 2024 Indian Premier League.
Rashid may find that his departure is a godsend in disguise because some teams may be willing to pay a premium for him. During the 2023 World Cup, the seasoned player radiated confidence with the ball. The leg-break bowler was the most prolific wicket-taker for his side throughout England’s disastrous campaign, taking 15 wickets at an economy rate of 5.18 in nine outings.
According to the retention list, the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) need frontline spinners and may try to sign the legendary English player for the next campaign.
3. Mitchell Starc
In an attempt to return to the lucrative league after a nine-year absence, Australia’s Mitchell Starc is anticipated to register his name for the next auction. During the 2014 and 2015 seasons, the prominent Australian player amassed 34 wickets in 27 matches at an economy rate of 7.17.
He was the fifth-leading wicket-taker in the competition in 2015 while playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). With an economy of 6.76, the speed wonder claimed 20 wickets in 13 games. In 10 matches during the 2023 World Cup, Starc claimed 16 wickets at an economy rate of 6.06 while playing for his country.
Taking note of his form, teams may compete with one another in the auction bidding. The Australian veteran may be purchased by the Gujarat Titans (GT), who will be represented at the business event with around INR 38 crore, in order to bolster their speed attack.
4. Wanindu Hasaranga
The release of frontline spinner Wanindu Hasaranga by RCB was one of the more unexpected announcements before the auction. With 26 wickets in 16 games at an economy of 7.54, he led the Challengers in wicket-taking in 2022. Although he didn’t meet expectations in 2023, no RCB supporter anticipated that he would be cut from the team. Some franchises, nevertheless, may have been pleased with RCB’s choice. Given his ability, some franchises can recruit the Sri Lankan veteran for a substantial sum since he has the potential to cause problems for batters should India’s fortunes reverse. With 91 wickets at a low economy rate of 6.89 in 58 matches, the leg-break bowler has an outstanding T20 International (T20I) record. In addition to the ball, he can hit powerful blows against bowlers when batting lower in the order.
5. Josh Hazlewood
In spite of his outstanding performance with the ball for his country in the just-finished 2023 World Cup, Josh Hazlewood was likewise left off the RCB retention list. His 16 wickets in 11 games at an economy of 4.81 meant that he was a key player in Australia’s record-breaking victory.
This time, they may contract him again to defend the title in 2024. The lanky pacer was a vital member of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) prior to joining RCB. Within 27 games and 35 wickets at an economy of 8.06 in the cash-rich competition, the 32-year-old has impressed.
K.C. Knight Riders (KKR) might also be drawn to Hazlewood. Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, and Lockie Ferguson—three former IPL champions—were recently cut from the team for poor performances. Recall that the Kolkata-based business spent an enormous INR 14 crore to sign Pat Cummins during the IPL 2020 auction. Knight Riders can get Hazlewood for a hefty sum to cover the void left by their lack of a strong speedster in the squad this season.
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