The Indian Premier League auction returns ahead of the 2023 season, with a number a high-profile and high-potential players available. Some teams have bigger purses and bigger holes to fill than others. Of course, such is the nature of the auction process, things are often difficult to predict due to a number of factors. For example, the likes of Chris Gayle and Shakib Al-Hasan have gone unsold in previous years.
There are seemingly glaring gaps in some teams and in turn some big names ready to fill them. Sam Curran, Cameron Green and Ben Stokes are likely to lead the way when it comes to attracting big bids from a range of suitors. But what are the franchises currently looking like and what do they need ahead of the 2023 auction?
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| Cameron Green is looking for his first IPL contract and is likely to command a considerably large bid [CREDIT - Will Russell - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images] |
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Potential current starting XI: Allen, du Plessis, Kohli, Patidar, Lomror, Karthik, Hasaranga, Shahbaz, Harshal, Siraj, Hazlewood
What RCB need: overseas middle order batter
With Glenn Maxwell currently sidelined following a freak injury in the shape of a broken leg he sustained at a birthday party, RCB could look at an overseas replacement. His compatriot Cameron Green, who is likely to be of enormous interest at the auction, would be an astute pickup. Fellow Aussie Travis Head, who has been in sublime form in recent Tests, would also be a good option. Of course, Ben Stokes would be a prized asset but it could also be unlikely that the Royal Challengers would spend so big if Maxwell is indeed likely to be passed fit. On the other hand, Bangalore could well utilise Finn Allen alongside Faf du Plessis atop the order with an Indian middle order.
What RCB could look at: overseas top order batter, overseas bowler
If confidence is kept with Allen, then competition could be looked at. Ben McDermott is someone who could be looked at to provide a cheaper option or Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis. There could well also be a need for another overseas bowler to provide some competition for Josh Hazlewood. Reece Topley has been in top form for England in the last year or so, while Sean Abbott has shown to be a dependable choice for the Sydney Sixers over the course of the Big Bash League.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Potential current starting XI: Gurbaz, V Iyer, S Iyer, N Rana, Rinku, Russell, Thakur, Narine, U Yadav, Chakaravarthy, Ferguson
What KKR need: Indian top/middle order batter
Rinku Singh impressed during the second half of the 2022 IPL both in the field and with the bat. There may be a case for KKR to look at another domestic batter to provide another option or some competition. Narayan Jagadeeshan, following his record-breaking recent List A exploits, will be a name mentioned a few times and one who is likely to fetch interest. Venkatesh Iyer dropped down the order during the last edition of the IPL, which could entice a bid for Mayank Agarwal, another name likely to carry some significant weight this auction.
What KKR could look at: overseas all-rounder
While the batting order looks good on paper, there could be a case to be made for a bit more depth. If that is indeed the case in some instances, then an overseas all-rounder could be something to look at. A return to Eden Gardens for Shakib Al-Hasan would bolster both the batting and bowling ranks immensely. Mohammad Nabi has been a reliable name for a number of years, while the stocks of fellow veteran Sikandar Raza have never been higher.
Embed from Getty ImagesPunjab Kings
Potential current starting XI: S Dhawan, Prabhsimran, Rajapaksa, Livingstone, Jitesh, Shahrukh, Harpreet, Rabada, R Chahar, Ellis, Arshdeep
What PBKS need: overseas bowling all-rounder, opener
There is a need for a bowling all-rounder to help bolster the batting, with Kagiso Rabada currently set to come in at 8. A former player that would fit the role like a glove is one that is a strong contender to fetch the top price - Sam Curran. Following his player of the tournament performances at the t20 World Cup, Curran is likely to produce a large bidding war for his services. The Kings, who have one of the biggest remaining purses available, would be wise to pursue the 24-year-old.Embed from Getty Images
The aforementioned Agarwal is available in the auction because of his release from the Punjab squad. While his performances slipped during the previous season, he remains one of the best options in this auction. As a result of his release, PK need an opener, especially since Jonny Bairstow remains a doubt due his broken leg. A pursuit of Agarwal would be a good option, but they will not be alone. Should Bairstow not be available, his compatriot Phil Salt would provide similar impetus at the top of the order, dependent on his own fitness.
What PBKS could look at: overseas bowler, overseas middle order batter
An extra spin option could be useful for the Kings in the overseas department, with Adil Rashid available having had a brief stint with Punjab back in 2021; similarly, Mujeeb Ur Rahman is another former PBKS player that presents a strong spin option. Adam Zampa has excelled in the last year or so and would be a smart acquisition.
Liam Livingstone is currently sidelined after sustaining an injury during his Test debut vs Pakistan this month, While he should be available by April, a backup would be a good choice and would provide an alternative to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Charith Asalanka, Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka teammate, has shown a number of glimpses of his talent. Another left-hander and another PK player, Dawid Malan, would also provide both experience and genuine option at the top of the order.
Chennai Super Kings
Potential current starting XI: Gaikwad, Conway, M Ali, Dube, Rayudu, Jadeja, Dhoni, Pretorius, D Chahar, Theekshana, M ChoudhuryWhat CSK need: overseas all-rounder
This season sees a large Dwayne Bravo-sized hole in the CSK side. They could well look at fixing that, with Dwaine Pretorius currently an option within the existing squad. A fairly like-for-like, both in terms of playing style and nation, would be Jason Holder. The West Indies man would slot nicely into the lower order and provide an experience bowling option. Fellow experienced bowling all-rounders Chris Jordan and Nathan Coulter-Nile could also be considered, with the former having turned out in yellow last season.
Though Chennai already have Devon Conway, who impressed at times last season, they could look for some competition or for a more aggressive option. Josh Phillippe would also provide a keeper-batsman option, while Will Smeed would be a left-field option but one that would have the potential to pay off handsomely.
Delhi Capitals
Potential current starting XI: Shaw, Warner, M Marsh, Pant, Powell, Dhull, Axar, Lalit, K Yadav, Nortje, Sakariya
What DC need: all-rounder
The Capitals lost Shardul Thakur to KKR during a trade, with Aman Khan heading to Delhi. The need to replace such a figure is a big one, and while the promising Yash Dhull is in the squad and ready to make the step up, another option would be good. Jimmy Neesham has always provided a strong option for IPL sides, while Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka could be an underrated choice.
What DC could look at: overseas top order batter
With Mitch Marsh currently sidelined following ankle surgery, a move for a replacement could be sought. Rossouw would provide a significant alternative, while a move for Joe Root could prove to be a smart one.
Embed from Getty ImagesRajasthan Royals
Potential current starting XI: Buttler, Jaiswal, Samson, Padikkal, Hetmyer, Parag, Ashwin, Boult, Krishna, McCoy, Chahal
What RR need: overseas all-rounder
What stands out looking at the potential current starting XI is the batting depth, or lack thereof. This was the case last season, too. The Royals have a strong bowling attack but that does come at the expense of batting depth. The top picks in Curran, Holder and Green would go some way to helping with balance. Shakib, too, would bolster the side hugely and David Wiese would provide a cheaper yet experienced option.
Mumbai Indians
Potential current starting XI: Rohit, Kishan, S Yadav, Brevis, Varma, David, Ramandeep, Archer, Bumrah, Kartikeya, BehrendorffWhat MI need: overseas bowler/bowling all-rounder, Indian bowler
Mumbai, the most successful franchise in the IPL, currently have arguably the most unbalanced squad. While they have some of the very best players that t20 cricket has to offer in the likes of captain Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer, there is still a lot to bolster.
Their batting lineup looks strong on paper, though there is inexperience. Dewald Brevis, the South African teenager nicknamed 'Baby AB' after superstar AB De Villiers, has immense talent but is not yet at a consistent level. Tilak Varma had a great debut season, while Tim David is likely to be given a lengthier run in the team. Both Bumrah and Archer, two of the best in the world, have fitness issues.
Jason Behrendorff presents a good left-arm option, but it is likely that MI could look to bring in another overseas bowler to strengthen the lineup further. There is also a potential need for an Indian bowler to bolster the ranks. One of the standout Indian bowling options available is Shivam Mavi, the former KKR player. Dhawal Kulkarni and Jaydev Unadkat are both former MI bowlers who they may have a look at.
One of the West Indian options could replace the great Kieron Pollard. Dominic Drakes represents more of a bowling option with his left-arm seam, while Akeal Hosein has been very consistent over the last 18 months and is handy with the bat. Both Odean Smith and Romario Shepherd provide an Andre Russell-like option with destructive batting while being able to bowl a heavy ball.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Potential current starting XI: A Sharma, Tripathi, Markram, Phillips, Samad, Sundar, M Jansen, B Kumar, Natarajan, Farooqi, U MalikWhat SRH need: wicketkeeper, overseas bowler/all-rounder
Last season, Sunrisers had a good squad on paper and showed glimpses throughout. They currently also have the highest remaining purse and, while they have a small squad as a result, it does look like a strong base to build on. Having released two key players in Kane Williamson and Pooran, they likely need replacements for at least one. They could indeed look to get one or both back at a smaller price, but that seems more likely in Pooran's case.
Though Glenn Phillips can keep wicket, his extraordinary talents in the field mean SRH will almost certainly looking for a 'keeper. Salt and Phillippe present good options for the top of the order, while Heinrich Klaasen could slot into the middle order, as could Ireland's Lorcan Tucker. There is a clear opening either at the top of the order or at around number five. Embed from Getty Images
Another overseas bowling option could be useful, given the inexperience of the two left-armers Marco Jansen and Fazalhaq Farooqi. A big-money move for one of the aforementioned key players could well be on the cards, though less likely for Curran given the two left-armers just mentioned. That same thinking would also rule out Daniel Sams or Wayne Parnell. A move for Adil Rashid would present an alternative spin option to Washington Sundar, as would the likes of Ish Sodhi and Tabraiz Shamsi.
Lucknow Super Giants
Potential current starting XI: De Kock, Rahul, Mayers, Hooda, Stoinis, Badoni, Krunal, Wood, Mohsin, Bishnoi, AveshWhat LSG need: overseas top.middle order batter
There is seemingly a glaring need, or indeed opportunity, for a big-name overseas signing for the Super Giants in their top order. The likes of Joe Root and Harry Brook could be of strong interest, along with Pooran, Stokes and Rossouw.
What LSG could look at: overseas bowler
With Mark Wood lined up, LSG would likely be looking for a backup for the England star. But, with his fitness history and lack of IPL playing time, a strong option could be pursued. Dushmantha Chameera turned out for LSG last year and was effective at times but Lucknow could look elsewhere this time around. Jhye Richardson can provide pace and a handy option with the bat, as can Chris Jordan. Josh Little of Ireland has impressed in recent times, as has Naveen ul-Haq of Afghanistan.
Gujarat Titans
Potential current starting XI: Gill, Saha, Wade, Hardik, Miller, Tewatia, R Khan, Joseph, Shami, Dayal, Sai KishoreWhat GT need: all-rounder
Again, there is a question of batting depth in this squad. While Rashid Khan at 7 is not necessarily an egregious notion, the preference is often for him to come in at 8. Holder would be a good option at number seven, as would Shanaka, with both providing leadership experience alongside their talents with bat and ball.
What could GT look at: overseas top order, Indian bowler
An alternative to Matthew Wade could be something that the reigning champions look into. Raza and Root would lend themselves to the experienced route for recruitment, while the likes of Asalanka and Bangladesh's Afif Hossain would bring bundles of exciting talent.
Who are the certainties to be picked up in the IPL 2023 auction?
The noise surrounding big purchases have largely been focused on Curran and Green, two young all-rounders with a lot of role flexibility and upside. Shakib, who went unsold in 2022's auction, provides a huge amount of benefits to almost any side, while Pooran is a must-have for the top order. As long as his name is down, Stokes will likely always have suitors, as will Holder.Rossouw has been in sublime form this year and will likely receive a number of bids. Hosein is another who has had a stellar 12 months or so and provides a great deal of benefit and flexibility in the roles he can deploy. In terms of domestic players, Agarwal will have no shortage of bidders and will lead the way for the Indian talents.
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