Who will be the top buys at 2018 IPL auctions?
The much awaited IPL auctions are now just hours away. With the total pool money being increased, there is a lot of excitement around 2018 auctions. With some of the biggest cricketers set to go under the hammer, one can only wonder who would be the biggest buy of this edition. Here is our list of who could fetch big bucks, this season.
The best all-rounder in the world
Ben Stokes has had a few rough months off the field. With 2019 World Cup selection in sight, Stokes would look to shake things off and get back to much-needed cricketing action. In 12 matches so far, Stokes has scored 316 runs at a strike rate of 143 while also bagging 12 wickets. Like last year, he is likely to fetch the maximum bucks.
World's number one T20I batsman
The current number one T20 batsman in the world, Colin Munro is definitely set to spark a bidding war, come this weekend. The New Zealander is the inform batsman and his current performances scream out 'Buy Me'. Munro has scored 53, 66, 104, 49*, 1 in his last 5 T20Is. The Kiwi is also the first batsmen to score three T20 tons in internationals.
The speedster who clocks 160 kph
One of the best pace bowlers, Starc will be a hot pick at this year's auctions. The Australian pace spearhead can knock your bails off, clocking speeds upto 160 kph. In 27 IPL games for RCB, Starc has bagged 34 wickets at an average of 20.38 and an economy of 7.16. Starc missed 2016 and 2017 editions and will be hungry to get back.
Afghanistan's teen sensation
This young lad from Afghanistan, Rashid Khan is creating waves. He is just 19, but he has the finesse which makes him one of the best spinners in T20s. In 14 matches, Rashid has picked up 17 wickets at an average of 21 and an economy of 6.62. World number 3 bowler in T20Is, Rashid fetched a bid of Rs. 4 cr last time.
2017's highest wicket-taker
Chahal has been a consistent performer for RCB over the years and is now also a part of the Indian setup. In 56 matches, he has picked up 70 wickets at an average of 22.41. But what makes him a hot pick is that he finished 2017 as T20Is highest wicket-taker. In 11 matches, the leg-spinner bagged 23 wickets at an average of 14.13.
England captain and one of the fab fours
England's Test skipper, Joe Root is all set for his maiden IPL stint. One of the fab fours of international cricket, the 26-year-old is on the radar of several teams. In 25 T20Is, Root has scored 743 runs at an average of 39.10 while boasting a healthy strike rate of 128.76. In India, he has a stunning average of 53.57 in 10 T20Is.
The hard hitting southpaw from Delhi
Indian opener, Shikhar Dhawan is up for grabs after Sunrisers Hyderabad opted against retaining him. A proven talent in the IPL and an established Indian cricketer, Dhawan is likely to spark a bidding war for his services. A veteran of 127 IPL matches, Dhawan has scored 3,561 runs at an average of 32.66 and a strike rate of 121.86.
