IPL 2019: Top 5 great picks from Indian players’ list in 2019 auction

These five Indian players will be an asset for any franchise in IPL 2019.

The IPL 2019 auction is set to take place on December 18, 2018, in Jaipur and will see 346 players going under the hammer. 226 Indian players will try their luck too and there are 9 players amongst the whole lot have put their base price at INR 2 crores.

There are 70 spots to be filled in the IPL 12 auction and as per the needs of the franchises, Indian players are going to be in great demand. Also, with the speculations of the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League being shifted to South Africa due to the dates of the 2019 general elections in the country colliding with the dates of IPL 12.

This means that the franchises will hope to pick Indian players who have successes in playing on similar surfaces and can handle themselves in any conditions.

Team COC takes a look at five such Indian players who might be a handy pick for the franchises in IPL 2019 auction and serve their teams to the best.

Here are the top 5 Indian players to pick in the 2019 auction

SHIVAM DUBEY
Base price – 20 lakhs INR
25-year-old Shivam Dubey is probably the hottest domestic cricketer in India at the moment. The left-hand batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler made his FC debut for Mumbai in the last Ranji season and has scored two centuries in five matches so far with a best of 114 and has picked 21 wickets with the best bowling figures of 7/53 to his name.

Given his ability to bat higher up the order and deliver economical bowling spells, IPL franchises will be interested in him and with his base price being 20 lakhs INR, any team will be willing to bet on him.  

HANUMA VIHARI
Base price – 50 lakhs INR
Hanuma Vihari has played IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad and has been prolific in scoring runs for Hyderabad in domestic cricket. In 67 FC matches, he has scored 5422 runs with the highest score of 302* with 15 centuries. He has also made his Indian team debut in Tests, scoring a fifty on debut against England in the Oval.

Vihari has taken his game to another level, incorporating the necessary shots required to success in T20 format in his arsenal and with his bowling being an asset to any team, Vihari can play the anchor’s role or can play the role of a hitter down the order.

MANAN VOHRA
Base price – 20 lakhs INR
Punjab’s Manan Vohra had set the stage of IPL alight in 2014 edition with 324 runs and his highest IPL score of 95 came in IPL 2017 for Kings XI Punjab. He has also played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the T20 league. Vohra fell off the radar due to dip in form but is back into contention with some good scores for Punjab in domestic cricket. A good opener, who has all the shots needed in T20 cricket and an excellent fielder, Manan is an asset to whichever team picks him.

MANOJ TIWARY
Base price – 50 lakhs INR

33-year-old Manoj Tiwary has been a consistent run scorer for Bengal in domestic cricket and has played IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab, Rising Pune Supergiant and Delhi Daredevils. Tiwary has played 12 ODIs for India, scoring a century (104*) against the West Indies.

In 110 FC matches, he has 8013 runs with 25 hundreds with a high score of 267. His IPL numbers stand at 1695 runs in 98 matches with 7 fifties and a best score of 75*. He was instrumental in RPS team getting into the finals of the IPL 2017.

His experience and ability to bat anywhere in the batting order makes him an efficient addition to any franchise that picks him. Also, his excellent captaincy skills can aid the skipper of the team in times of need.

AKSHAR PATEL
Base price – 1 crore INR
The young left-arm spinner and batsman Akshar Patel was a staple in Indian team until injuries hit him and he lost his place. However, he has been performing consistently for Gujarat.

In IPL, he has played for Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab. He has played 68 games for Punjab, making 686 runs and picking 61 wickets. His best bowling figures are 4/21 and he had picked 17 wickets in 2014 edition. He was the only player retained by KXIP for the 2018 edition of IPL but was let go for the 2019 edition.

Akshar will be definitely a huge pick for any team looking for a brilliant Indian spin all-rounder.