IPL 2020: 5 unsold players who could still feature in the tournament

Here are five unsold players who might still get a chance to play in IPL 2020.

The IPL 2020 auction saw many players getting the deals of a lifetime from various franchises. Pat Cummins was the most expensive buy in the auction at INR 15.50 crore from Kolkata Knight Riders, while Piyush Chawla got an INR 6.75 cr bid from Chennai Super Kings and was the most expensive Indian player bought.

IPL 2020 - Full list of updated squads post IPL Auction

There were also players who were expected to get good bids, but couldn’t manage to find a buyer, while some experienced players were not bought by any franchise despite having a stellar record in the league itself. But there is still a chance that some players might get a chance to play in the tournament either as replacements or in order to fill up empty spots.

Therefore, check out 5 of the unsold players who could yet feature in the tournament

ABHIMANYU MITHUN

30-year-old Abhimanyu Mithun from Tamil Nadu recently became the first bowler to take a hat-trick in Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He also picked 5 wickets in an over, including 4 in 4 balls and a hat-trick on his birthday. Mithun has previously played in IPL for Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

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Mithun has also donned the India cap in 4 Tests and 5 ODIs during the 2010-11 season but has been one of the most prolific wicket-takers in domestic cricket with 310 FC and 193 limited-overs scalps to his name. He has enough experience now to know how to bowl when compared to his earlier stints in the league. At just 30 years of age, Mithun is a prime candidate to be picked by a franchise and still feature in the 2020 edition of the league.

KESRICK WILLIAMS

West Indian fast bowler Kesrick Williams was pegged to be picked in the IPL 2020 auction, but couldn’t manage to find a buyer. He has 41 T20I wickets in 24 matches, while he has 114 scalps in 84 T20 matches overall.

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Williams was in news recently for having Virat Kohli’s number during the T20I series between India and West Indies. There were some entertaining antics between the two during the series. Sanjay Manjrekar had him as his pick in the IPL, but Pietersen had other thoughts. Meanwhile, Williams has the goods in order to succeed in IPL and still might get a chance to play, if a franchise thinks to get him.

YUSUF PATHAN

Yusuf Pathan has been a veteran of IPL as he transformed from the find of the tournament in 2008 to match-winner for KKR in 2012 and 2014 editions. He served well as a finisher for SRH as well but was released before the auction.

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He couldn’t manage to find a buyer given his age (37) and slowing reflexes as well, which were evident in last season. Pathan has 3204 runs in 174 IPL matches with 13 fifties and 1 century at a strike rate of 142.97. Pathan might still get a chance to play in the 2020 league if a franchise picks him as a replacement.

BEN CUTTING

Ben Cutting is a hard-hitting finisher and more than medium pace bowler and was the Man of the Match in the final of IPL 2016 when he helped SRH win their maiden title against RCB. He has 1725 runs and 106 wickets in 133 T20 matches and has appeared in 11 limited-overs internationals for Australia.

Cutting has a strike rate of 149.86 in T20s and is known for his big-hitting antics, which would have got him a good bid in the 2020 auction, but he went unsold despite his credentials. He still might be seen in the IPL 2020, given his experience and ability in the format.  

EVIN LEWIS

Evin Lewis of Trinidad has a stellar T20 record with 4116 runs in 145 T20 matches with four centuries and a strike rate of 143.06. his highest score in the format is 125* and was picked by the Mumbai Indians and has played for them in 2018 and 2019 editions. He made 382 runs in 13 matches in 2018, but couldn’t manage to hold a place in 2019 due to injury and form.

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However, with a dearth of quality openers in the league, Lewis might still find a team to play for in the 2020 edition given his exploits in recent series against India as well where he scored a couple of 40s at a good rate.