Cricket is a source of entertainment for folks of all ages all around the world. It’s definitely the most popular sports in India by far, be it gully cricket or the IPL. All editions of the Indian Premier League have been smash hits whether it’s the frenzy of fans in jam-packed stadiums or the skyrocketing IPL betting—India goes-gaga in this cricket festive season as there’s always an interesting story cooking about cricket somewhere in the country.
The tournament showcases not only domestic but top talent from across the world—Indian Premier League certainly has much to boast about!
The popular franchise in its 11th year and the fast-paced game is only going to take the money game forward. Some $94 million was spent by the eight participating teams in 2018 to buy 169 players in an auction, compared with just $14 million for 66 players in 2017, industry data show.
For the 2018 IPL season, India’s national team captain Virat Kohli is getting paid $2.5 million, while former Indian captain MS Dhoni gets $2.2 million. This brings us to our main concern, who are going to be the next big bids in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League? Based on their splendid world cup performances, here are some players that we think are going to be in demand this time around!
- Jimmy Neesham
Jimmy Neesham was probably the most important player in New Zealand’s journey in their World Cup campaign to a tied super over in the final. He was the one who brought them on the brink of victory in that over, scoring 14 runs in 5 deliveries after New Zealand were asked to score 16 to win the tournament. The all-rounder made sure to contribute in all departments. He’s a good finisher, a bowler with a big wicket-taking appetite which makes him a player all teams in the IPL might be excited to bid for.
- Alex Carey
On the day of the semi-finals, Alex Carey played like a real hero scoring 46 along with Steve Smith to rescue Australia despite his injury after the top order fell disastrously. He’s an underrated tiger, the southpaw scored 375 runs in the tournament, which included 3 half-centuries. He’s the perfect candidate for the fast-paced T20 format that the Indian Premier League opts for. Carey is a flexible, talented, and an unsung hero.
- Sheldon Cottrell
Sheldon Cottrel was at his best performance this time around at the ICC World Cup. The fan favourite player scalped 12 wickets including the likes of Hardik Pandya, Imam-ul-Haq, Kane Williamson and David Warner. What makes Cottrel and IPL a match made in heaven is that he is a left-arm bowler, meaning that he can be used effectively in death overs and powerplay. He’s a threat for the batsmen and that’s something all teams want! Although he wasn’t able to make the cut in the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League with an impressive and consistent performance this time he’s going to be in demand no doubt!
- Jason Roy
Jason Roy has the perfect game to suit the needs of T20 cricket. He is one of those few players who can go for the kill straight away, without taking many risks. The 29-year-old can take some credit for England’s first-ever World Cup victory, where he scored 443 runs in 8 matches. His importance in the England squad can be gauged from the fact that the team lost 2 of the 3 matches which he missed due to injury, thereby making every game from there on a must-win match. But once he returned against India, his team went on to win all the remaining games. Jason Roy is a familiar name in the Indian Premier League. Although he did not play last year, he’s played 8 matches across 2 seasons. If he decides to play, he can fetch large wagers easily!
- Avishka Fernando
The ICC World Cup 2019 has been nothing short of a disaster for Sri Lanka. But throughout the tournament, Avishka Fernando surprised everyone, especially in the match against England with a counter-attacking 49. He smashed his first century against West Indies, which proved that he was in it to win it. The 21-year-old scored 203 runs in 4 matches, at an excellent strike rate of 105. He’s been a precious discovery and has very deservingly grabbed the spotlight. He’s caught the eyes of both fans and franchises which probably makes him a hot pick in the Indian Premier League’s 2020 edition. He’s attacking style is a luxury that every team would love to have on their side.
