Ashish Nehra, former Indian pacer picked a player who he thinks will emerge as the most expensive player in the event ahead of the IPL 2021 mini-auction to be held in Chennai, The eight franchises participating in IPL would be having sleepless nights thinking about the players they would want to add to their squads in the mini-auction.
Despite being a mini-auction, several world-class players will be up for grabs in the much-awaited event which will be held in Chennai on 18th February. The demand for overseas players is huge and creates buzz during an IPL auction and all eight franchises do plenty of homework on all foreign players who are up for grabs in an IPL auction.
Ashish Nehra Reckons Shakib Al Hasan As Most Expensive Buy Since He Provides Much Needed Balance
Despite Glenn Maxwell and Chris Morris expected to be on the radar of most of the franchises, according to Ashish Nehra, it’s Bangladesh superstar Shakib Al Hasan who will emerge as the costliest player in IPL 2021 mini-auction.
“Again, one more IPL auction and plenty of big names, but one name, which according to me is right on top – can be the most expensive player of this IPL auction – is Bangladesh all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan (former captain). He can give balance to any IPL team in any T20,” Ashish Nehra said on Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected – Auction Special.
The all-rounder, who was released by SRH in 2019 after being banned by the ICC for failing to report the corrupt offence, will be looking to make his comeback in the Indian Premier League this year as Ashish Nehra believes he will be the most expensive buy.
One of the best all-rounders in the world at present, he can be a reliable middle-order batsman and can easily bowl 3-4 overs every game in the IPL. The Bangladesh veteran might fetch a decent bid at the auction in 2021 with several teams likely to be interested in his services.
Shakib Al Hasan played 63 matches scoring 746 runs at an average of 21.31 with two 50s and a high score of unbeaten 66 and taken 59 wickets averaging 28. He was released by KKR and was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2018 season after representing Kolkata Knight Riders from 2011 to 2017.
Ashish Nehra believes that former Bangladesh captain and superstar all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan will be the most expensive buy of the IPL 2021 Auction as he provides balance to any team with his binary skills.
Aakash Chopra Feels Though That Glenn Maxwell Will Be Most Expensive Buy Once Again In Mini Auction
On the other hand, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra fears that it’s Glenn Maxwell who will emerge as the most expensive player in Chennai.
“I feel that Glenn Maxwell, yes, Glenn Maxwell, once again, will be the most expensive buy in this mini-auction. It might be mini for a lot of people, but it will be maxed for Maxwell,” Aakash Chopra said.
One of the most explosive batsmen in white-ball cricket, Glenn Maxwell hasn’t been able to live up to the expectations in the last few seasons of IPL. He had a memorable season for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2014 where he amassed 552 runs and set the tournament on fire with several memorable knocks.
However, in the last two seasons, he has scored 108 and 169 runs respectively while playing for Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals.
In IPL 2020 which was played in UAE, he was bought back by the KXIP squad for a whopping sum of Rs 10.75 crore during the IPL 2020 auction, but he failed to hit a solitary six and didn’t hit any fifty. After being released by the KL Rahul-led side, it remains to be seen whether he once again shatters the record to emerge as the costliest player.
He has scored only 1505 runs averaging 22.13 in 82 IPL games with only 6 fifties.