Records were broken during the Indian T20 League auction on Thursday, February 18, with as many as four players finding suitors for over INR 10 Cr. There were indeed some surprising bids, but at the same time, experienced campaigners like Chris Morris, Nathan Coulter Nile, Moeen Ali and Shakib Al Hasan amongst others were acquired to fill in the void.

Entering with a hefty purse, teams like Rajasthan, Bangalore and Punjab were few of the highest spenders and this made the auction all the more interesting.

So with that being said, here we look at five players who landed mighty contracts during the auction.

Chris Morris - Went to Rajasthan for 16.25 cr

Drafted at a base price of 75 L, all-rounder Chris Morris was a subject of an intense bidding war between several teams, which included the likes of Mumbai, Punjab and Rajasthan. But, it was the latter who came out on top with the highest bid of 16.25 crores. Morris, a South African international, has played 70 games during his seven-year stint in the Indian T20 League, and has scored 551 runs at 23.95, and has picked 80 wickets at a decent economy of 7.81.

Morris has always attracted plenty of interest. He was one of the most expensive buys during the 2020 auction as well, with Bangalore splashing 10 cr for his signature, but a relatively substandard return forced them to part ways with the all-rounder ahead of the upcoming edition. With questions over the availability of Ben Stokes haunting, Morris might well and truly turn out to be a better coup for the one-time champions.

Kyle Jamieson - Went to Bangalore for 15 cr

While everyone expected a fight for New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson, no one really anticipated what was in the offering. Like Morris, Jamieson, too, entered with a base price of 75 L, but went for a whopping 15 crores to Virat Kohli’s team Bangalore. The lanky pacer's talent isn't unknown, and there was no surprise that apart from Bangalore, the likes of Delhi and Punjab were in the fray too.

The 26-year-old is indeed a rookie on international circuit, but his overall T20 figures are staggering, to the say the least. In 38 T20s, the towering pacer has picked 54 wickets at an economy of 7.98.

Glenn Maxwell - Went to Bangalore for 14.25 cr

Glenn Maxwell’s ability of changing the course of a game with the bat was one of the reasons why both Chennai and Bangalore went all-out for the Australian batting all-rounder. Maxwell was one of the most expensive players in the 2020 auctions too, with Punjab splashing 10.75 crores, but a sheer disappointing return last year forced the team hierarchy to let go of the player. Chennai and Bangalore’s tussle made one thing clear that both were looking to get a big-hitting allrounder who can make an impact in the lower middle-order and chip in with a few overs here and there too.

Chris Morris . @rajasthanroyals purse . #IPLAuction2021 pic.twitter.com/jM8Ao4VsBo

�?Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) February 18, 2021

Now, he may well and truly be a gamble, but judging by the unexpected nature of his play, it is indeed worth taking a wager on.

Jhye Richardson - Went to Punjab for 14 cr

Fast bowlers were in limelight during the entirety of the auction on Thursday. Hence, when Jhye Richardson’s name popped out, several teams, including Bangalore, were on red alert. The Virat Kohli-led team engaged in a fierce bidding war with Punjab for the Aussie, but lost out to their opponents, who picked the pacer for 14 cr, making him the second-most expensive bowler in the tournament’s history after Pat Cummins, who went to Kolkata for 15.5 cr last year. 

Richardson’s stocks went up during the 2021 edition of the Big Bash League where he ended up as the highest wicket-taker, scalping 29 wickets in 17 matches at an average and strike rate of 16.31 and 12. 7 respectively. He also bowled at a decent economy of 7.69.

Krishnappa Gowtham - Went to Chennai for 9.25 cr

Bowling all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham became the most expensive uncapped player in the Indian T20 League's history after Chennai decided to spend a whopping 9.35 crores. While Gowtham's Indian T20 League career hasn't really taken off in full swing, he has been making a name for himself in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Often seen as a T20 specialist, the 32-year-old has often landed big contracts in the past. In 2018, he was snapped by Rajasthan for 6.2 crores and a season before, team Mumbai paid 6.2 crores for his signature.

While he is not someone who will score big runs or will pick plenty of wickets, his ability of hitting big in the final over and restricting his opponent with the ball is something that will come handy for the MS Dhoni-led team.

The 2014 Indian T20 league finalists Punjab had already undergone a revamp ahead of the 2021 mini-auction. KL Rahul-led side changed their name and logo in a bid to bring a change in fortune for the Punjab-based franchise.

The Punjab team has qualified for an Indian T20 League final only once, in 2014 and they have ended in the last four only one other time - in the inaugural edition of 2008. 

The franchise finished sixth in the points table over the last two seasons, in 2019 and 2020.  

Ahead of the Indian T20 League 2021 auction, Punjab had the biggest amount remaining in the purse (Rs 53.2 crore) after releasing as many as seven players while retaining 16 cricketers. 

During the Indian T20 League 2021 auction, Punjab bought as many as nine players, including Jhye Richardson, who was this year's highest wicket-taker in BBL, and the current world no.1 T20 batsman Dawid Malan.

Punjab di navi shaan, Dawid Malan! #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #IPLAuction2021 @dmalan29 pic.twitter.com/zYJz7rnagB

�?Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 18, 2021

The franchise also bought young Indian middle-order batsman Shahrukh Khan for 5.25 crore.

Hear out the rising star, Shahrukh Khan #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #IPLAuction2021 pic.twitter.com/cxIfEI9aWd

�?Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 18, 2021

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A good day at the #IPLAuction2021 for us! #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/AUQ4ZpBO7B

�?Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 18, 2021

Players Bought: Jhye Richardson (14 crore), Shahrukh Khan (5.25 crore), Riley Meredith (8 crore), Moises Henriques (4.2 crore), Dawid Malan (1.5 crore), Jalaj Saxena (30 lakh), Fabian Allen, (75 lakh) Saurabh Kumar (20 lakh), Utkarsh Singh (20 lakh)

Team Punjab Full Squad: KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Darshan Nalkande, Harpreet Brar, Mandeep Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammed Shami, M Ashwin, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Ishan Porel, Ravi Bishnoi, Chris Jordan, Prabhsimran Singh, Jhye Richardson, Shahrukh Khan, Riley Meredith, Moises Henriques, Dawid Malan, Jalaj Saxena, Fabian Allen, Saurabh Kumar, Utkarsh Singh

Feature image courtesy: IPL, BCCI 2021.

The Indian T20 League auction for the 2021 season is scheduled on Thursday, February 18, and a rich Australian contingent of 35 players are set to go under the hammer.

Steve Smith, Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, and Jhye Richardson are some of the biggest players who will be up for grabs, and SportsAdda’s Brand Ambassador, Brett Lee, highlights the ideal destinations for them ahead of the next edition of the Indian T20 League.

Steve Smith to Chennai

“Team Chennai have lost a lot of older players and I think they need someone like Steve Smith with experience and is solid at the top of the order,�?says Lee.

Smith has stacked 2333 runs in 95 appearances in the Indian T20 League, of which, 1070 runs have come as a Rajasthan player. Smith’s availability offers an opportunity for the teams to sign a top-order batsman, who can comfortably hold his ground in pressure situations and steady the ship after a batting collapse.

Considering his style of play, Chennai seems like an ideal destination considering that they need someone like him who comes with an experience.

Aaron Finch to Kolkata

“Finchy I think will be a great partner along with Shubman Gill,�?Lee said.

“Also the fact that Eden Gardens is generally one of the quickest wickets in India and that will be the closest to an Australian wicket that he will find over there and suits his play.�?/span>

Australia’s limited-overs captain, Aaron Finch has featured for eight teams in the Indian T20 League, with his last stint coming as a Bangalore player. Finch has aggregated 2005 runs at a strike rate of 127.70 in 10 seasons and is one of the highest Australian run-scorers in the competition’s history.

Finch could only tally 268 runs at an average of 22.33 last season, but it is safe to say that he is far from done. With Kolkata struggling to get a strong opening partnership last season, one can expect them to go hard for an opener like Finch.

Jhye Richardson to Rajasthan 

“Richo might be a good combination up front with someone like Jofra Archer,�?Lee said while suggesting that Jhye Richarson would be a good fit for Rajasthan. 

“He is in a really good form at the moment so there might be a couple of franchises that will go hard for him.�?/span>

Australian pacers, right from James Pattinson, Jason Behrendorff,  Pat Cummins to Josh Hazlewood, have always been in demand in every Indian T20 League auction.

In Jhye Richardson this coming season, teams will get a bowler who has a knack of scalping wickets almost at whim and someone who can keep the economy rate well within the considerable limit.

The 24-year-old is coming off a splendid season in the Big Bash League, where he bagged 29 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 16.31, including two four-wicket hauls.

It is rightly expected that Richarson will find himself in the middle of a stern bidding contest.

Glenn Maxwell to Delhi

“Maxi would be a great inclusion to the Delhi lineup,�?said Lee. 

“He’s a freak of a player and can play the role of a batsmen, bowler and is excellent in the field. Also, the fact that Ricky Ponting being the coach could sort out his form.�?/span>

Glenn Maxwell needs no introduction in the Indian T20 League. He has been one of the most exciting Australian players to play in the tournament.

The last season, however, wasn’t his best, to say the least. As part of team Punjab since 2014, Maxwell has smashed more than 1500 runs with six 50-plus scores, which makes him a lethal option in the lower middle-order.

Maxwell was part of the Delhi team in 2018, and while it wasn’t his best tenure, the unexpected nature of his play is worth taking a gamble on.

Australia fast bowler Jhye Richardson is one of the hottest picks in the upcoming Indian T20 League auction 2021 to be held on February 18.

The 24-year-old was the standout pacer in the recently concluded Big Bash League (BBL) as he finished as the highest wicket-taker in BBL 10. Richardson picked 29 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 16.31, including two four-wicket hauls.

• Indian T20 League 2021 auction: 3 teams who should go for Alex Hales

The Perth Scorchers pacer was initially named in Australia's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup but was later completely ruled out of that tournament due to a dislocated shoulder.

With several Indian T20 League franchises eyeing overseas pace bowlers, Richardson could cause a bidding war in the upcoming auction. Here we list out three teams who should ideally splash the cash for Jhye Richardson.

Bangalore

Having released all-rounder Chris Morris and with pacer Dale Steyn opting out of Indian T20 League 2021, Virat Kohli-led Bangalore will look to bolster their pace bowling department with some quality fast bowlers in the upcoming auction. Currently, the Bangalore franchise has only three pacers including Australia pacer Kane Richardson, and they have just traded in Australia all-rounder Daniel Sams and Indian fast bowler Harshal Patel. So, Jhye Richardson could just be the perfect choice as the overseas fast bowling option for Bangalore.

• Indian T20 League 2021 auction: 3 teams who should go for Aaron Finch

Rajasthan

Rajasthan had a disastrous campaign last time around as they finished at the bottom of the Indian T20 League 2020 points table. The franchise has already released their former captain Steve Smith and appointed Sanju Samson as their new skipper. The Rajasthan team lacked potency in their bowling department as they failed to defend totals in the UAE. Apart from Jofra Archer, other fast bowlers struggled to make an impact. Another young prospect Kartik Tyagi blew hot and cold in the last edition of the league. Rajasthan must buy Richardson as he would provide Archer with excellent support in the opening as well as the death overs.

• Indian T20 League 2021 auction: 3 teams who should go for Steve Smith

Punjab

KL Rahul-led Punjab had another torrid run in the 13th edition of the Indian T20 League in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as they finished sixth in the eight-team tournament. As a consequence, Punjab’s team management took some harsh calls as they released huge names including Glenn Maxwell,  Sheldon Cottrell,  Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Jimmy Neesham.

• Indian T20 League 2021 auction: 3 teams who should go for Glenn Maxwell

Punjab now have the biggest purse balance of all eight teams (53.2 crores) and they will look for some massive reinforcements. Rahul’s side might put some strong bids for Jhye Richardson during the upcoming auction.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter/cricketcomau

 

With the Indian T20 League teams releasing a host of big names in order to load up the purse, the upcoming auction for the 2021 season, scheduled on February 18 in Chennai, makes up for an interesting watch.

As many as 1097 players have registered for the Indian T20 League 2021 auction, and the recently concluded Big Bash League now presents the franchises with a glorious opportunity to fill up the much-needed loopholes.

With that being said, today we take a look at three players who can land in lucrative deals for the upcoming edition of the Indian T20 League after wreaking much havoc in BBL this year.

Alex Hales

Sydney Thunders may have bowed out in the playoffs, but a certain Alex Hales once again showed how vicious he can be in the shortest format of the game. In 15 BBL matches this season, the England international accumulated 543 runs, scoring at an average of 38.78. Hitting at a strike rate of 161.60, which was the best amongst the batsmen with a minimum of 300 runs in the competition, Hales scored the highest individual score of this year’s edition (110 off just 56 balls) to further up his credentials in the T20 format.

With many teams releasing their top-order batsmen, including the likes of Bangalore and Rajasthan, Hales will certainly be a good option to consider.

Jhye Richardson

Registered in the auction at a base price of INR 1.5 crore, one can rightly expect a potential bidding war for Australia’s Jhye Richardson, who is coming at the back of a scorching Big Bash League season, having topped the wicket-taking chart with 29 wickets, which includes as many as two four-wicket hauls. Judging by the form, the 24-year-old is enjoying of late, he could well and truly turn out to be a handy option for the teams especially in the powerplay overs; something that he has already showcased in the BBL, having bowled at an average and economy of 16.31 and 7.69 respectively.

Dawid Malan

Like Richardson, batsman Dawid Malan has entered the auction at a base price of INR 1.5 crore. The world's top-ranked T20I batsman, who is yet to feature in the Indian T20 League, can be a serious contender for the teams who are looking to fill up their number 3 position, meaning that the likes of team Punjab, Chennai, Kolkata and maybe Mumbai per se, can splurge big for the Englishman during the auction. Judging by his standards, Malan had a substandard return during the BBL season, accumulating 265 runs in 10 matches at an average of 26.50, but he indeed gave a few glimpses of his sheer brilliance, including a knock of 75 off 56 deliveries against Melbourne Stars.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @BBL

It took until the very last day of the Big Bash League 2020-21 season leagues stages to decide the five teams who will be playing in the playoffs, starting from Friday, January 28.

While Hobart Hurricanes missed out on the playoffs following a shocking 11-run defeat against Melbourne Renegades. Brisbane Heat found their way into the top half with a six-run win over Perth Scorchers, who had already qualified for the play-offs.

With Sydney Sixers finishing at the top of the BBL points table, the stage is set for another exciting round, and I’m pretty sure the upcoming matches will live upto the hype. 

That said, here are my picks from the first two playoffs games:

Chris Lynn - Brisbane Heat

Credit where it’s due, Chris Lynn has performed exceptionally well, especially after failing to get a game in the Indian T20 League 2020. In just 10 games this season, the hard-hitter has accumulated 420 runs at an average of 42 and a strike rate of 157.30. The 30-year-old has scored four half-centuries in his last six BBL games and I expect more of the same from the explosive opener as his team squares off against Adelaide Strikers; a team against whom Lynn scored his lowest score (17) in the ongoing season. He certainly has some point to prove.

It's one of those days where Chris Lynn is clearing the fence without even finding the middle #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/igmiEhhEPo

�?KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 26, 2021

Wes Agar - Adelaide Strikers

The fourth highest wicket-taker of BBL 2020-21, 23-year-old Wes Agar has been a revelation this season. Though he has been expensive as well as wicketless in his last two BBL outings, Agar knows a thing or two about bothering Brisbane Heat - against whom he delivered his best spell of 4/27. Agar had scorched past Heat’s batting order by getting the better of Marnus Labuschagne, Lynn, Joe Denly and Max Bryant, as Strikers had limited their opponent to just 115. It was arguably one of the best bowling performances I’ve seen in the current edition, and Agar will be raring to have a go once again.

Josh Philippe - Sydney Sixers

Sydney Sixers�?opener Josh Philippe has been amongst runs this season, although inconsistency has been an issue for the player. The 23-year-old, once set, has shown the capabilities of wreaking havoc, but tends to lose his wicket quite early more often than not. Following his match-winning 64 against Sydney Thunder and 84 against Perth Scorchers, Philippe has failed to cross the 20-run mark in all of his last three outings. It’s a good thing that he has a prior history against Scorchers, and I think they will be on the receiving end of another explosive approach.

Jhye Richardson - Perth Scorchers

Jhye Richardson has been a phenomenal presence for Perth Scorchers, and one of the reasons why they finished second in the points table. In 14 games so far this season, the 24-year-old has picked 27 wickets - five wickets clear of his closest opponent - and that at an economy of just 7.08. Richardson has picked four wickets in two matches against Sixers and has conceded just 46 runs this season, meaning that he concedes less than six runs per over against them. A game as important as this requires a lustrous performance, and I firmly believe Richardson will do well once again.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @HeatBBL

Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson has been ruled out of the World Cup after failing to recover from a dislocated shoulder, with namesake Kane Richardson replacing him.

AFP / Karim Sahib

He picked up the injury during Australia's series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in March, but was included in the squad for the World Cup in England starting later this month.

But recent tests showed he would not be ready in time.

"This is obviously very disappointing news for the team and for Jhye, who has been exceptional throughout his rehabilitation process," said team physiotherapist David Beakley.

"After his most recent assessment and attempting to bowl in the nets, it was clear that Jhye was not progressing as fast as required.

"Therefore, in consultation with selectors, we made the decision to withdraw him from the squad."

Kane Richardson was called up to replace him, with long-time pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood, who has been put of action since January with a back injury, overlooked.

When the squad was announced last month, chief selector Trevor Hohns said the focus was on having Hazlewood ready for the Ashes Test series in England which begins in August.

He was instead named in Australia's one-day A squad, which will play games in England while the World Cup is on.

Australia World Cup squad: Aaron Finch (capt), Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa

Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson has dislocated his shoulder and will head home from the Pakistan tour, officials said, as he faces a battle to be fit for the World Cup.

Karim Sahib / AFP

Richardson took 2-16 in the second one-dayer in Sharjah on Sunday but fell awkwardly on his bowling arm and left the field in the 11th over.

"Unfortunately it's a dislocated shoulder for Jhye Richardson," Cricket Australia tweeted.

The governing body added on its website that the 22-year-old -- who has gone from strength to strength in recent months -- would fly back to Perth on Monday and undergo scans to assess the damage.

"He's obviously pretty shattered but he's trying to stay upbeat," teammate Nathan Lyon told reporters.

"It's very disappointing, especially off the back of the summer that Jhye's had.

"The way he's been performing has been pretty impressive. Fingers crossed he can be fit for the World Cup and be in the selection (mix) there."

Losing another quick bowler is a big blow for Australia barely two months out from the World Cup with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood also battling injuries.

Australia have named debutants Kurtis Patterson and Jhye Richardson and recalled opener Joe Burns for the first Test against Sri Lanka beginning in Brisbane on Thursday.

Patterson scored centuries in both innings playing for the Cricket Australia XI against Sri Lanka in Hobart last week, prompting selectors to call him into the squad.

Patrick Hamilton/AFP

The 25-year-old has scored 3,813 first-class runs for New South Wales at an average of 41.00 and will bat at number six.

West Australian fast bowler Richardson, who was impressive in the ODI series against India, comes in for the injured Josh Hazlewood.

Selectors resisted the temptation to blood 20-year-old batsman Will Pucovski, who many are touting as the next Ricky Ponting, opting instead for the experienced Burns.

Burns, 29, played his last Test against South Africa in April last year but has three Test centuries to his name.

Australia: Tim Paine (capt), Marcus Harris, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Kurtis Patterson, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Lyon.