The Indian Premier League (IPL) player auction for the 2015 edition will be held on February 16 in Bangalore. The number of players in the auction pool is yet to be known as the deadline for franchises to prune the original list has been deferred to February 4.
According to a report published on ESPNcricinfo, Yuvraj Singh, Kevin Pietersen and Dinesh Karthik along with South Africa Test captain Hashim Amla have attracted the highest base price of Rs 20,000,000. An additional purse of INR 30,000,000 will be available to each franchise over and above the balance accrued from the INR 600,000,000 last year along with the amount generated from the release of players.
In this article, we will look at top 5 “targets” in the IPL8 player auction for the 2015 edition.
1) YUVRAJ SINGH
There was a huge outrage when Yuvraj Singh wasn’t picked for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. After his forgettable performance in the final of ICC T20 World Cup 2014, Yuvraj Singh lost his touch and struggled to make a comeback. But, just before the announcement of the final squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Yuvraj Singh regained his midas touch and scored three back-to-back centuries for his home state Punjab in the Ranji Trophy 2014-15. Many felt that the national selectors will include him in the World Cup 2015 squad after his stellar show in the Ranji Trophy, but the selectors decided to stick with the original 30-man squad and didn’t include Yuvraj Singh. In the eight edition of the IPL, Yuvraj Singh will be the most accomplished Indian international in the auction pool.
2) KEVIN PIETERSEN
Out-of-favour English batsman Kevin Pietersen was released by Delhi Daredevils ahead of the IPL8 player auction that will be held on February 16. Pietersen, who was dropped “permanently” from England’s scheme of things after the Ashes debacle in Australia, was one of the best performers in the recently concluded fourth edition of Big Bash League (BBL). When in form, Kevin Pietersen is one of the most destructive batsmen in the world.
3) HASHIM AMLA
South Africa’s Test captain will also feature in the IPL player auction for the 2015 edition. Amla, along with Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik and Kevin Pietersen, has attracted the highest base price of Rs 20,000,000. Amla is a very versatile batsman and many IPL franchise would be keen to have him in their scheme of things.
4) MURALI VIJAY
After his success show in the Test series against Australia, Murali Vijay will surely attract many bids in the auction room. Vijay also has a very decent record in the IPL and many IPL franchises would go after him to strengthen their Indian contingent.
5) EOIN MORGAN
England’s captain Eoin Morgan is one of the most innovative batsmen in world cricket. Morgan has the ability to hit the same ball in two different places. Morgan will surely be one of the hottest properties in the IPL8 player auction.
***
