IPL auction 2016: What to expect at the biggest sale in 2016

It’s that time of the season again. The time, when we sit in front of the TV with bated breath for that fall of the hammer, that time when the nation suddenly turns T20 experts, that time when we rip apart and analyze every single buy, that time when we assess who is going to end up where – this time, with no CSK, we actually get to predict the second finalist for once! . Ahead of the ninth IPL auction on Sunday, let’s look at the possible scenarios for the eight franchises.

A total of 351 players will go under the hammer on Saturday in Bengaluru with at least two-thirds of the players expected to go unsold. With the squad size fixed to a minimum of 16 and maximum of 27, we can expect a lot of surprises and shocks, which have been a tradition in IPL auctions.

From the last time, there are two changes – two teams went out and two came in – Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals have gone on a two-year sabbatical and have been replaced by Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions. With CSK and RR out of the equation, there are a lot of high-profile players without a team, and they will be vied for by every franchise in a bid to bolster the squad.

So let’s look at the nine marquee players, who are expected to fetch the highest bid in the auction.

Similar to the last two years, the player who will be expected to get the highest bid will be Yuvraj Singh. A veteran of 98 IPL matches and four franchisees, Yuvi has once again thrown his hat into the auction pool with a last over cameo in the last T20I international against Australia. It is highly unlikely to see one of Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Daredevils or Royal Challengers Bangalore bidding for Yuvraj Singh, leaving the new comers Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions to battle it out for the swashbuckling star.

Another contender for the highest bid will be the Australian Shane Watson. Similar to Yuvraj, the Australian, who had looked awfully out of form in the first two T20s, made a brilliant hundred in the third T20I to make a case for himself. Kevin Pietersen has been away from International cricket for sometime, but his BigBash performances are certain to catch the eye of the IPL scouts and will expect a huge bid coming his way. The dark horses to fetch the highest bid among the marquee players are Aaron Finch and Martin Guptill. The dangerous openers will be an asset to any team, which is willing to take a bet on them.

Moving on to the franchisees and the possible targets for each of them.

1. Delhi Daredevils

The team from Delhi has the highest purse in the auction after retaining only 13 players from the last season. With a purse of Rs. 37.15 crores, they are likely to go for middle order batsmen as the bowling line-up looking fairly strong.

Possible Buys: Shane Watson and Aaron Finch

2. Sunrisers Hyderabad

The Hyderabad team has the second biggest purse with Rs. 30.15 crore and will be expected to bid big for middle order batsmen and Indian batsmen after struggling in the department last year.

Possible Buys: Sanju Samson and Travis Head

3. Gujarat Lions

The new entrants have Suresh Raina as captain and Brad Hodge as the coach. With Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner and Brendon McCullum already in their ranks, the team has a strong core of perfect T20 players. With Rs. 27 crores in the bank, Gujarat could make two more big signings before going for squad players.

Possible Buys: Ashish Nehra and Yuvraj Singh

(Also Read: IPL auction: Yuvraj, Pietersen list highest base price)

4. Rising Pune Supergiants

With MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming at the helm, the franchise could go in for ex-CSK players to build up a good squad for the upcoming tournament. Batting seems to be the strength of Pune with Dhoni, Steve Smith, Faf du Plessis and Rahane in the team, and they could go for fast bowlers and all-rounders to make a balanced squad with Rs.27 crore in the purse.

Possible Buys: Dale Steyn and Mustafizur Rahman

5. Kings XI Punjab

After releasing George Bailey, the Punjab team could be in for a captain and could go for Kevin Pietersen in a bid to bring an experienced hand. With Rs. 23 crore in hand, an Indian fast bowler will also be in mind for the team, and they could go for local player Barinder Sran.

Possible Buys: Kevin Pietersen and Barinder Sran

(Also Read: DRS likely to make an appearance in IPL)

6. Royal Challengers Bangalore

With Kohli, Gayle and AB de Villiers in the ranks, batting has never been a problem for the Bengaluru side. With Mitchell Starc unlikely to make it to the IPL, they could go for a fast bowler and a spinner with Rs.21.62 crore in the bank

Possible Buys: Pawan Negi and Irfan Pathan

7. Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders have a settled squad and will go for squad players in a bid to improve their fortunes next season. All-rounders and Indian pacers will be the main target of the team with Rs. 17.95 crore in the bank.

Possible Buys: Mohit Sharma, Jos Butler and John Hastings

8. Mumbai Indians

The defending champions had retained all their best players and will go for squad players in a bid to improve the balance of the squad. With only Rs.14.40 crores in the bank, the team will definitely go for a backup to Lasith Malinga and will try for local player Dhawal Kulkarni.

Possible Buys: Dhawal Kulkarni and Kane Richardson

If we look at the history of the IPL auctions, then there has been one unknown player every year, whose price goes through the roof. Tomorrow should tell us who the dark horse is.

Possible shock targets: Nathu Singh and Rishabh Pant

(Also Read: From IPL to PWL: A country of Leagues)