5 BBL performers who can become big buys in the IPL 2021 auction
It is often said that an international cricketer completes his red-ball education in England and his white-ball education by playing the IPL. However, with many nations launching their own T20 leagues, the opportunities have increased. All in all, it is an exciting umbrella where some momentous and persistent high-pressure cricket is being exhibited. As a player, if you already are a sensation in other T20 leagues, then an IPL opening can anytime be on cards for you. Hence here’s a list of 5 BBL players who can grab an IPL contract in 2021.
5. Alex Hales
Alex Hales has always been a captivating top-order player and his T20I record for England has been splendid. Since his axing from England’s white-ball setup, he has become a T20 freelancer by playing global T20 leagues. Currently while playing for Sydney Thunder, he has emerged as the fifth highest runs-scorer in BBL 2020. Presently, he has amassed 269 runs from 9 matches including a strike-rate of 161. With his consistent form and some precedence of playing in the IPL, he can become a worthy top-order batsman for teams like RCB and CSK.
Alex Hales scored a 29-ball 71 for Sydney Thunder in the #BBL10 today, including a half-century off just 21 balls ?pic.twitter.com/qevaZIvNLC
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 29, 2020
4. Dawid Malan
Being England’s current biggest sensation and T20Is no.1 ranked batsman David Malan has become a blazing exponent in recent times. Currently, he’s been signed by Hobart Hurricanes, but because of the quarantine restrictions, he had missed the initial matches. As of now since his comeback, Malan has looked a tad inconsistent despite getting good starts and in his six outings currently, he has amassed 175 runs. Undeniably, by the time when IPL auctions arrive, he would still remain one of the hottest prospects to vouch for. Teams like KXIP and CSK might show some interest in him because of their weak overseas proponents.
3. Jhye Richardson
On being termed as one of the finest prospects in Australia’s upcoming crop of cricketers, Jhye Richardson has already had an eventful cricket career. So far his BBL stats are notably sublime, where the speedster has taken a total of 58 wickets from 45 innings including a commendable economy rate of 7.52. In the ongoing BBL season, he is the current highest wicket-taker scalping 18 wickets from nine matches. His attacking bowling at the beginning along with his ability to produce crucial breakthroughs might propel teams like RCB, SRH or KXIP to have him under their belt.
With four big wickets & a whirlwind 20no off eight balls, Jhye Richardson is our @Dream11 player of the match in Perth #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/gMw9akH4TW
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 9, 2021
2. Wes Agar
While the elder brother (Ashton Agar) did make his debut for Australia back in 2013, the younger one Wes has been a stirring force even since making his debut in 2016-17 season of BBL. While playing for Adelaide Strikers, Wes has fetched 36 wickets from 27 innings including an economy rate of under nine. In the ongoing season of BBL, he currently is the second-highest wicket-taker, scalping 17 wickets from 10 matches. With his ability to bowl genuine pace and pin-point yorkers, Wes can ferry into the squads of KXIP and RCB.
Set him up with the bouncer, then knock him over with the yorker ?
Some trademark fast bowling here from new @BKTTires Golden Cap owner Wes Agar #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/ZUkgFrJ3w5
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 5, 2021
1. Tanveer Sangha
Being Australia’s leading wicket-taker (15 wickets) in the 2020 U-19 World Cup and playing his debut season for Sydney Thunder, Tanveer Sangha’s uprise has been exemplary. His leg-spin so far has been entrapping, as the teenager has scalped 16 wickets in 10 matches for Sydney Thunder. His impressive stats have now made him enter into the top three in terms of leading wicket-takers list. Since leg-spinners are a fruitful commodity in T20s, Sangha can be picked as one of the backup spinner options in IPL.
