IPL 2019 auction: Players to watch out for

There have been 11 IPL auctions so far, but none have been as glamour-less as the upcoming one is expected to be. Given how franchises have understood the drill of picking and managing players over the years, most teams have retained their core, barring Delhi Capitals and Kings XI Punjab, who have yet again pressed the refresh button.

As a result, only a few spots are left for most franchises to fill up. However, what adds to the interesting dynamics of this auction is the [limited] availability of some of the top foreign players with the World Cup coming up in June. Some of the big names, especially those from England like Jonny Bairstow, Alex Hales and Jason Roy may not propel a major bidding war as the they are expected to join their national teams mid-way through the tournament.

The shortlist doesn't see a lot of big names, and the buying stratergies could depend a lot on the availability of players - making players from New Zealand, Bangladesh, South Africa and Windies hot buys. However, of those who are available, especially Indians, could go for big money.

Depending on where the franchises fall short, we have listed some of the players who are expected to generate a lot of interest.

Batsmen:

Given how the teams stand, middle order batsmen are bound to attract a lot of bids. There is a dearth of quality middle-order Indian batters who are not retained. And hence, the best of the lot who will be present at the auction are bound to gain some attention.

Shimron Hetmyer: Given how the West Indian southpaw has been crunching the ball over the boundary ropes in the last couple of months in the subcontinent, no other foreigner is expected to attract more attention from franchises. His keeping skills - he recently filled in behind the stumps for a dizzy Shai Hope - only add to his value.

Brendon McCullum:The former New Zealand skipper's batting credentials may have dropped but he has a couple of things going in his favour in the upcoming auction. Firstly, his experience and secondly the fact that he will be available for the entire season. With several top players expected to leave mid-way, he comes as a strong package - a leader, a power-hitter and if needed, even a 'keeper.

Anmolpreet Singh: The young Punjab batsmen has graduated swiftly to senior cricket and made a mark in the domestic circuit. Recently, for his consistent showing, he was promoted to India A. Young and hard-hitting, Anmolpreet could be a good catch and has a decent List A Record [9 matches, 537 runs at 59.66, SR 105.5 2x100, 3x50] although he's yet to translate that into the T20 format.

Manoj Tiwary: Tried, tested, picked, ignored, succeeded and failed; Manoj Tiwary has been a part of the IPL journey since the beginning. And even 11 seasons later, he continues to remain one of the most reliable middle order batters in the country. He has scored consistently, evolved into a better finisher and is expected to be a crucial buy for several franchises. After a good season for Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017, he was grossly underutilised

Other batsmen to watch out for: Ankeet Bawne, Yuvraj Singh and Hanuma Vihari

'Keepers:

There are at least four teams who might be interested in having a good wicket-keeper to complete their squads. While Sunrisers Hyderabad could be aiming for a prime candidate, Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals need an additional gloveman as well.

Wriddhiman Saha: For all that's said and not about Wriddhiman Saha's ability with the bat, he has been quite prolific in T20s, especially IPL. And there are few better glovemen in the country. Saha, being one of the best Indian keeping options available, is likely to attract some serious attention if teams are convinced of him regaining full fitness before the start of the IPL.

Heinrich Klaasen: The South African has displayed his ability to counter spin. And in the last one year, he has only enhanced his reputation with the bat. Despite his lukwarm returns in IPL 2018 (57 runs from 4 innings), he's a good fit for the teams who are looking for a middle order batsmen who can keep - a category in which there are few better than him going into the auction.

Other wicketkeepers to look out for: Nicholas Pooran, Kusal Perera, Mushfiqur Rahim, Glenn Philips, Sheldon Jackson, Vishnu Vinod, Harvik Desai and Mohammad Shehzad

All-rounders:

No team will ever complain of having too many all-rounders. Even as the best in the business have been retained by the franchises, there are enough underrated all-rounders who have been shortlisted for the auctions.

Shivam Dubey:Termed by Sunil Gavaskar as the cleanest hitting left-hander in India since Yuvraj Singh, Shivam Dubey is as rare a talent as they find in India - a hard-hitting medium pace all-rounder. Having played a fine hand for Mumbai so far this season, displaying his big-hitting skills with the bat and canny variations with the ball, he is expected to be the 'big buy' of the auction.

Daniel Christian: Even at 35, Dan Christian remains an ever-present commodity in T20 leagues around the world. A hard-hitter, a skilled medium pacer and a superb fielder, Christian has displayed good form this year. His experience of having played 40 IPL matches also comes in handy among a host of foreign all-rounders vying for a crucial few vacant spots going into the auction.

Thisara Perera: Thisara Perera can be a good back-up option for teams looking to find balance in their line-ups. But never earlier was he as consistent, as potent and as reliable as he is today.

Moises Henriques: The Australian all-rounder has been around in the IPL scene for a really long time. Often benched, but has been a reliable performer when given opportunities. He can hit, consolidate, bowl and field. With several top all-rounders expected to leave the tournament mid-way, he comes with a good package.

Other all-rounders to look out for: Jason Holder, Corey Anderson, Carlos Brathwaite, Luke Wright, Anton Devcich, Shams Mulani, Joe Denly

Bowlers:

Most teams have their spin department sorted, with only back-ups required, and hence even some impressive tweakers are unlikely to find themselves in a bidding war. However, at least four to five franchises have their pace department to beef up. Some are short on Indian pacers, some on foreigners, and some on both.

Lasith Malinga: The Sri Lankan veteran didn't attract any bid at the last auction. However, since then, he has gained some pace, lost some weight and become a more potent bowler - good enough if not as good as he was at his peak. A few teams are in need of death bowlers and foreign pacers. There are few better in world cricket than Malinga to fit that bill.

Morne Morkel:The former South African pacer has gone through the IPL drill, achieved success, and with how things stand - his availability and the requirements of the franchises - Morkel can see some interest, maybe slightly more than his more famed countryman Dale Steyn.

Ishan Porel: Tall and fast, Porel is one of the brightest young fast bowling talents in the country. Injury hampered his chances of getting picked in the previous auction, but much like his 2018 under-19 batchmates, who generated interest among franchises, he too should experience something similar at this auction.

Jaydev Unadkat: The left-arm pacer may not make as much money as he did in the previous auction and he may not be in the kind of form that he was a year ago, but yet again, he stands out with his skillsets among the shortlisted players and can be viewed as a good addition for most teams.

Varun Chakravarthy:The mystery spinner from Tamil Nadu could spark a bidding war for his services following impressive performances in the Tamil Nadu Premier League and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Chakravarthy picked up nine wickets at an economy of 4.7. A fourth-division player before, Chakravarthy soon made a mark as the second-highest wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and then graduated to the Ranji Trophy.

Other bowlers to look out for: Ishant Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Axar Patel, Varun Aaron, Mohammed Shami, Dale Steyn