Summary
The IPL auction for 2016 is nearly upon us, with all eight franchises on the search for fresh talent to boost their respective campaigns for the tournament's ninth edition. Following the considerable success of the fifth season of the Big Bash League, there are players who will surely be on the wishlist for a number of IPL franchises following their performances during the Australia-based competition.
1) Usman Khawaja
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| Usman Khawaja cuts during his innings of 70 in the BBL Final, 2016 (PHOTO: Robert Prezioso) |
The Pakistan-born batsman has been in astonishing International form of late and it was no different in the BBL. The left-hander struck 345 runs in just four innings as he soared to second place in the run scoring chart, with only Chris Lynn having scored more. Lynn scored 33 more runs than the Sydney Thunder man, but did it in twice as many innings. Khawaja went past fifty on all four occasions, converting into three figures twice. The pressure of the BBL Final did not deter Khawaja, as he helped himself to an exemplary 70 off just 40 balls against the Melbourne Stars. There will likely be no shortage of bidders for the man of the moment, with a number of sides looking to bolster their batting line ups.
2) Travis Head
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| Travis Head celebrates his scarcely-believable hundred against the Sixers (PHOTO: Daniel Kalisz) |
Delhi Daredevils may live to rue the release of one of the most exciting young Australian batsmen. The recently-turned 22-year-old was in fine form in this year's BBL, scoring 299 runs in his nine innings as he finished fifth in the run scoring list, seven runs behind Mike Hussey. He boasted some brilliant figures across his nine innings as he plundered two fifties to go along with his incredible maiden t20 hundred against the Sydney Sixers. Head averaged 42.71 and was striking at an impressive 155, as well as hammering 20 sixes - second only to Lynn's 27 and equal with Chris Gayle. The young batsman was also recently called up to the Australian t20 squad to face India and there will surely be no shortage of potential suitors following the Daredevils' decision to release him.
3) Adil Rashid
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| England international Rashid enjoyed a fantastic spell in Adelaide for the Strikers. Will he be picked up in the IPL auction for 2016? (PHOTO: Daniel Kalisz) |
Rashid enjoyed a fruitful spell in the BBL with the Adelaide Striker as the side from South Australia blew away their opposition en route to finishing top of the league, before bowing out in the semi-finals to the Thunder. The Yorkshireman was a big part of the Strikers' success, finishing as their top wicket-taker with 16 from his nine matches, beaten only by the rejuvenated Clint McKay. His numbers were particularly impressive, as he bamboozled batsman with his variations and leg spin, leaving with an economy rate of just 6.51 and an average of a mere 14.12. Such notable figures will doubtless see an interest in the England international, as well as his potential suitability to the Indian conditions.
4) Kevin Pietersen
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| Pietersen's brilliant innings in the Final of the BBL was not enough to land his Melbourne Stars side a first title (PHOTO: Robert Prezioso) |
Another relatively surprising player to be released by his franchise, the 35-year-old Pietersen is somewhat of an IPL veteran. The former-England batsman has represented the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Deccan Chargers, Delhi Daredevils and most recently Sunrisers Hyderabad. Commanding a huge wealth of quality and experience, Pietersen's recent exploits in the BBL will likely lead to big interest in the upcoming auction. The Melbourne Stars man struck 323 runs at an average of 40.23 to elevate himself into the top three run scorers in the fifth edition of the BBL. He also hoisted 17 maximums whilst striking at a huge 159.11, as well as passing fifty on four occasions in nine innings. This form will almost certainly see him picked up by a franchise, whether it be one of his former sides or another new one, as he is in the group with the highest base price. Those with the highest base price include Yuvraj Singh, MItchell Marsh and Shane Watson.
5) Andrew Tye
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| Andrew Tye celebrates another wicket after dismissing the Stars' Adam Zampa with a wonderful yorker (PHOTO: Paul Kane) |
Following his breakthrough year in BBL 4, Perth-born Andrew Tye earned a move to now-suspended franchise Chennai Super Kings. Although Tye did not feature for the Super Kings in last year's IPL, he will surely be a name worth looking at this time around after he was made available again after the Super Kings' suspension for match fixing. This season's BBL saw Tye produce another host of stellar performances, taking 13 wickets at an average of 18 in his nine matches for the Perth Scorchers. Despite being a relative latecomer to professional cricket, making his debut in 2013 in a One Day game and his t20 debut a year later, 29-year-old Tye has plenty to offer on the t20 scene. Tye's slower balls and toe-crushing yorkers, along with a BBL 5 economy rate of 7.05, earned the pacer a debut call up to the Australian national side for the t20 series against India.
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