The 2021 IPL edition is all set to kick off in a few month’s time and the franchisees will be looking to rebuild elements of their side after looking back at their recent show in the 2020 IPL seasons. Franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab will be looking to find the pieces missing in their team puzzle after having not performed up to their true potential.
In changing scenarios of T20 cricket, players from foreign T20 leagues or foreign players for that matter end up being key players for franchises in today’s World. Whether we talk about Kieron Pollard, AB de Villiers or Rashid Khan all have been match-winners for their franchises which is why their presence holds key importance for their sides.
With the 2021 IPL auction all due to take place in the month of February, we will take a look at five top performing players from foreign T20 leagues who could go on to cause a bidding war at the upcoming IPL auction.
Also Read: Irfan Pathan Picks His T20I XI Of 2020; Three Indians Included
Let’s take a look at five top-performing players from foreign T20 Leagues who IPL franchises will look to go after in the 2021 auction:
1. Wes Agar
The younger brother of Ashton Agar has been coming up the ranks in the Australian domestic structure. Despite his brother having a bigger name in the country, Agar has been coming up the ranks in recent times. A fast bowler who wasn’t always in the reckoning for his state side, Wes Agar worked on his physique in his early 20s to be considered for the Victoria side.
After debuting in the Big Bash League in 2016, Wes Agar has had quite a bit of success playing for the Adelaide Strikers. In the 2019-20 season, Wes picked up 17 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 21.47 while in the ongoing 2020-21 season, Wes has so far picked 14 wickets in 8 matches which also makes him the highest wicket-taker of the tournament.
Also Read: IPL 2021 Auction: Top 10 Highest Paid Batsmen In IPL 2020
Going forward into the 2021 IPL season, sides like Chennai Super Kings can look to bid for the talented young bowler from Australia who possesses the sheer ability to pick wickets and could turn out be a fine prospect in the near future.
Also Read: Delhi Capitals Ropes In A New Assistant Coach
2. Dawid Malan
The attacking batsman from England will be under every franchise’s radar given that he’s had an impeccable record in the T20 format. As of now, Malan has the highest ever rating for a batsman in the history of T20I. The southpaw from England has scored 855 runs at a staggering average of 53.44 that too at a very impressive strike rate of 149.48.
Also Read: 10 Unknown Facts About India’s Latest Pace Sensation Navdeep Saini
In the ongoing Big Bash League in Australia where Dawid Malan is representing the Hobart Hurricanes franchise, he has so far scored 155 runs in 4 matches. The likes of Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Kings XI Punjab might just look to strengthen their armoury with the elite services of Dawid Malan as he provides a fairly attacking option to bat at the top.
Also Read: IPL 2021 Mini Auctions: Top 5 Overseas Players Who Can Be Top Buys For Franchisees
3. Qais Ahmed
The 20-year-old leg spinner from Afghanistan is one of the upcoming revelations from the Asian country. Qais Ahmed has time and again proved his mantle in the T20 leagues he’s been playing around the World. A typical leg spinner with all the variations in his luggage, Qais once foxed Andre Russell during the T10 Abu Dhabi League with a dreadful bouncer which almost knocked him off, though Russell dodged the delivery unhurt, it really didn’t go down well with Dr. Russ as he was batting without a helmet on.
Talking about Qais Ahmed’s performance in the T20 leagues around the World, He finished as the third-highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League where he picked up 12 wickets in 9 matches for his side Colombo Kings. In the Afghan Premier League which took place in 2018, Qais was again the third-highest wicket-taker behind Isuru Udana and Sayed Shirzad with 15 wickets in 9 matches.
Also Read: 5 Players Who Can Replace Dale Steyn In RCB
With the kind of impact Qais Ahmed has brought into the limited amount of matches he’s played so far, it would be safe to say that the spinner is following the footsteps of his senior national team colleague Rashid Khan. Franchises like Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals can look to acquire the services of Qais since they’re low on foreign spinners in the side.
Also Read: 5 Cricketers Who Got Arrested For Weird Reasons
4. Wanindu Hasaranga
The all-rounder from Sri Lanka is one of the most promising players climbing up the ranks in Sri Lanka. After a strong show in the school tournaments, Wanindu was drafted into the Sri Lanka U19 side for 2016 Under 19 World Cup. Such was Wanindu’s impact that he was soon seen playing for the national side. In his first series for the national side against Zimbabwe, Wanindu ended up picking up a hattrick.
Also Read: BCCI Narrows Down On 5 Venues To Host IPL 2021 – Report
In the recently concluded Lanka Premier League, Wanindu finished as the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 17 wickets in 10 matches. If we were to look at the 2021 IPL, its more than likely that sides like Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals will look to acquire the services of a player like Wanindu Hasaranga who possess the ability to bowl his quota of four overs in addition to being an attacking batsman for the side in the middle overs.
Also Read: IPL 2020: Indian Player Approached For Inside Information By Delhi Based Nurse – Reports
5. Tim Seifert
The wicket-keeper batsman from New Zealand has been a revelation in the New Zealand batting unit. Tim Seifert opens the batting for his and provides the much needed explosive starts to his side, many believe that his style of batting highly resembles former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum which makes him an interesting player.
Also Read: 5 Indian Players Likely To Announce Retirement In 2021
Currently, Seifert is ranked number 9 in the T20I Batsman rankings after having scored 176 runs in the T20 series against Pakistan. Recently the coach of IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings Stephen Fleming expressed his interest in acquiring the services of the attacking batsman, with the departure of Shane Watson from the side, Tim Seifert can surely be the perfect fill-in for Aussie.
Also Read: Top 5 Rohit Sharma Controversies On Social Media