Every player wants to be a part of the Indian Premier League (IPL). It is the biggest T20 league in the world, and the fame it brings is something every player wants to witness. There have been many players who went on to represent their national team also.
The auction of the Indian Premier League 2021 will be taking place on 18 February, in Chennai. Every player, who has put their name in the list, will be hoping to get picked by one of the franchises. However, there are a few star players who might not get any buyers this time around.
Here, we look at four such players who might go unsold in this year’s auction:
1. Moeen Ali (ENG):
Moeen Ali is the first player to feature in this list. The 33-years old was the part of Royal Challengers Bangalore last year, but couldn’t get many matches to play. He played three matches, scoring 12 runs off 16 balls and picked up only one wicket throughout the season.
Hence, RCB released him ahead of the IPL auction 2021. Moeen Ali has not been impressed with both, bat and ball, of late. Hence, the Englishman might not attract any bidder and go unsold in the auction this season.
2. Sheldon Cottrell (WI):
Sheldon Cottrell, the Caribbean speedster, is another player who is likely to remain unsold this year. The left-arm pacer was bought in by Kings XI Punjab at a whopping 8.5 crores, but couldn’t live up to the expectations last year. He leaked runs at an abysmal economy rate of 8.80 and managed to pick only six wickets in the tourney.
As a result, Kings XI Punjab didn’t give him all the matches, and eventually dropped him before the fresh season. The 31-years old is largely suited to the powerplay only, and all the eight teams have bowlers available for that role. Hence, the franchises might ignore Sheldon Cottrell in the upcoming auction.
3. Mitchell McClenaghan (NZ):
Mitchell McClenaghan has been an integral part of Mumbai Indians in the IPL over the past few years. Since 2015, he is the second-highest wicket-taker (71) for the MI – that too despite not playing any match last season. But, Boult’s performance last season didn’t let McClenaghan feature in any match.
Hence, Mumbai Indians were tempted to part ways with McClenaghan for the IPL 2021. The 34-years old is another bowler who is generally effective in the first six overs only when the fielding restrictions are imposed and the ball is not too old. So, the left-arm pacer might not attract any franchise in the auction.
4. Harbhajan Singh (IND):
The fourth player to become the part of this list is the veteran, Harbhajan Singh. The 40-years old is surely one of the best bowlers ever to play in the Indian Premier League. He was an intrinsic part of Mumbai Indians till 2017, before moving to Chennai Super Kings in 2018.
The off-spinner opted himself out last season and has been released by the MS Dhoni-led side. The Jalandhar-born hasn’t played any competitive cricket game for a while now. With the lack of match-practice and age not on his side, he might go unsold for the first time in the history of the IPL.
