It’s a busy time for team scouts with the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction for the 2024 season scheduled for December 19, 2023. After having released a number of players last month, the 10 franchises will be looking to fill the vacant slots and finalise their squads.
There are a maximum of 30 overseas slots to be filled, and teams could take cues from the recently concluded ODI World Cup in India to complete their rosters.
Here are five overseas players who could pique the interest of IPL franchises:
TRAVIS HEAD
Australia’s top-order batter is one of the most hard-hitting players going around and in recent times, he has shown his capability of playing in Indian conditions. In 22 T20I innings, Head has scored 554 runs at a strike rate of 146.17. His best value comes while opening the innings, where, since 2021, he has scored at a strike rate of over 142 in all T20s. Franchises requiring an opener and a decent part-time bowling option will keep a close eye on him.
GERALD COETZEE
South Africa’s Gerald Coetzee. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
The 23-year-old South African will be hot property during the auction given his recent exploits at the ODI World Cup. A hit-the-deck bowler who has a strike rate of 14.5 in all T20s will be a requirement for almost all franchises. Coetzee is likely to be used in the middle overs, where he has picked a wicket every 14 balls.
HARRY BROOK
Harry Brook of England in action. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
The England middle-order batter was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) squad in IPL 2023. Brook has a strike rate of over 140 in the middle overs since 2021. It’s no surprise that England rates him highly in T20Is, where he has scored 494 runs at a strike rate of 141.54 in 21 innings.
DARYL MITCHELL
New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell in action. | Photo Credit: AFP
New Zealand’s flexible all-rounder can walk into any team for his batting ability alone. Since 2021, Mitchell has a strike rate of over 140 in all T20s. Mitchell plays spin bowling well, case in point - his recent ODI World Cup century against India during which he kept charging at Kuldeep Yadav to put the spinner off his lengths. The Kiwi is likely to attract several IPL franchises.
GUS ATKINSON
England’s Gus Atkinson. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
England’s upcoming T20 star, Atkinson is another hit-the-deck bowler who will most likely be used in the second half of the innings - middle and death overs - where strikes every 11 balls. Although he hasn’t been tested much in Indian conditions, it won’t be a surprise if Atkinson is high on the priority list of some franchises.
(Stats updated till December 3, 2023)
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