IPL 2021: One player each franchise must target in upcoming IPL auction

The IPL 2021 auction will take place on Feb 18 in Chennai.

The upcoming IPL 2021 auction is very important for the franchises, despite being a small one when compared to some other auctions in the past. With the IPL 14 just a few months away, the teams had submitted their list of released and retained players to the BCCI and IPL GC on January 20, 2021.

This led to many quality players becoming free agents, there is a high possibility that the franchises will be eager to have a look at what they require for the IPL 2021 and then bid for players in the auction. Some franchises require an overseas pacer, some require a quality finisher, and so on.

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Therefore, Team COC, today takes a look at one player that each of the franchise must target in order to fill a particular spot in their team, or for future assurance as well.

Here is the list of one player each franchise must target in the upcoming auction

DELHI CAPITALS (DC) – SHIVAM DUBE

Delhi Capitals were smart in their retentions and releases as they said goodbye to Mohit Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Keemo Paul, Sandeep Lamichhane, Alex Carey, and Jason Roy. It was a calculated move by the management, who have Marcus Stoinis and Shimron Hetmyer going for them apart from their Indian stars like Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Prithvi Shaw.

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However, in the upcoming season, they might require an Indian finisher to compliment Hetmyer and Pant, and hence the DC team must target Shivam Dube, who was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore.

He is a good player of spin, has the ability to hit big sixes, and can give you a couple of decent overs with the ball every match. He also brings balance to the side as well, if DC opens with Marcus Stoinis in the upcoming season.

RAJASTHAN ROYALS (RR) – GLENN MAXWELL

Rajasthan Royals finished last in IPL 2020 and then released their captain Steve Smith along with some other players as well. One of their biggest problems in IPL 2020 was the lack of a bonafide experienced big-hitter in the middle order, as they asked Ben Stokes to open the innings and had to push Jos Buttler down and then rely on Riyan Parag and Rahul Tewatia to finish matches.

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Hence, they must shell out big bucks to buy Glenn Maxwell, who was released by Kings XI Punjab. Maxwell might have had a lull IPL 2020 in UAE, but he has the chops to hit big shots and is a brilliant spin bowler as well. RR will only bring more power in their XI and Maxwell will also help new captain Sanju Samson as well.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE (RCB) – MITCHELL STARC

Royal Challengers Bangalore has always struggled to find a decent enough fast bowler and with them releasing Isuru Udana, Dale Steyn (who is unavailable for IPL 2021), and Chris Morris, RCB have shown the intent that they are going for the best in the business.

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With Australia’s Mitchell Starc putting himself in IPL 2021 auction, RCB will benefit a lot from buying him. Starc has played two seasons of IPL for the team and RCB performed well with him leading the bowling attack. Starc’s inclusion will give RCB a huge boost as they aim for their maiden IPL title.

MUMBAI INDIANS (MI) – JHYE RICHARDSON

Mumbai Indians released their entire foreign pace bowling contingent, only retaining Trent Boult. Also with Lasith Malinga calling time on his IPL career, MI will be in need of a new and possibly young foreign fast bowler.

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Who better than Australia’s Jhye Richardson to target in the auction, given his exploits in the recent BBL 10. Richardson had 27 wickets in 15 matches with Perth Scorchers qualifying for the knockouts of the tournament. He has an excellent economy of 7.08 and can bat as well, down the order. At 24, Richardson is a long-term prospect for MI as they look to build the team for the next decade.   

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS (CSK) – STEVE SMITH

Chennai Super Kings are hampered with the retirement of their amazing opener Shane Watson. Watson helped them won IPL 2018 and almost won them the IPL in 2019. Now they are tasked with replacing him and with all of their other batsmen being on the wrong side of 30, they need someone to carry them for the next 5-7 years.

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Therefore, CSK must target Steve Smith of Australia. Smith opens the innings and CSK has enough firepower to compliment his style of batting at the other end.

Also, MS Dhoni is well-versed with his batting and leadership style, having played with him for Rising Pune Supergiant. Smith might very well take over from Dhoni as captain of the team when the time comes and is a very good option CSK must look to get in the auction.

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS (KKR) – DAWID MALAN

Kolkata Knight Riders have had run their course with Sunil Narine opening the innings and with them releasing Tom Banton as well, KKR is on the lookout for a new opener as well to partner Shubman Gill.  And the best player they must target in the IPL 2021 auction is England’s Dawid Malan.

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Dawid Malan is the no.1 ranked batsman in ICC’s T20I rankings and is a massive attraction in other foreign leagues as well. He has an excellent record in places like Bangladesh and Pakistan where spinners rule the roost and hence will be a perfect fit in the KKR unit, bringing in freshness to the team as well.

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD (SRH) – SHAKIB AL HASAN

Shakib Al Hasan missed the IPL 2020 due to the ICC's ban on him but is now available to return to the cash-rich popular league as well. He is mostly expected to be in the IPL 2021 auction and his former franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad will be highly interested in buying him back.

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Shakib brings in amazing flexibility to the side, given that he can bat at the top, in the middle, and can play as the finisher as well. He bowls his four overs economically and is a wicket-taking bowler. He was also part of the SRH leadership group and with his experience can guide the youngsters like Priyam Garg, Abdul Samad, and Abhishek Sharma in the upcoming tournament as well.

KINGS XI PUNJAB (KXIP) – CHRIS MORRIS

Kings XI Punjab had bought Sheldon Cottrell with much hope in IPL 2020, but he failed to live upto the expectations. Hence, Punjab released him along with all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, giving them room to bring in a fast bowler and an all-rounder for IPL 2021.

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And who better than South Africa’s Chris Morris to fulfill those roles. He bowls in high 140 kph speeds and his explosive batting at the end is a bonus for the team, which let go Glenn Maxwell as well and need a decent finisher.