Tomorrow sees the start of the 2014 IPL auction. There are three major talking points before the tournament start. For one will a spot fixing scandal mar the tournament once more, secondly Delhi Daredevils emptying out their roster and starting again, this then loses the biggest talking point of the auction... How much will KP go for?
The record so far stands at $2.4 million spent on Gautam Gambhir by the Kolkata Knightriders in 2011 and this is expected to be smashed. Despite the cap for a squad being £5.87 million Pietersen is still expected to reach up to £3 million.
Now that England have let their prized possession go IPL teams will be like vultures trying to secure the talents of a man averaging nearly 40 in T20 cricket and can single handily win a game. The reason why he is now such a hot ticket is that he is available for the full IPL season unlike many other overseas stars.
Being available for the full IPL is incredibly crucial if players want to attract suitors. This is even more important for English players who do not have countrymen representing them as IPL coaches.
Coaches who see countrymen in their domestic tournaments are more likely to sign them. Domestic players do not get the same exposure as international players and so often have to rely on coaches having previous knowledge of their performances. This makes it easier for Australian and South African players because the majority of the coaches are from these nations.
This means that out of 11 Englishmen going in to the auction many will be left alone. It also means that the ones who have put there names in the auction do not have major national team aspirations or expect to only play in some part of the auction
Due to contractual obligations with Nottinghamshire Alex Hales and Samit Patel have to have the maximum starting price. This is a move to warn off teams who are going to sign them and rarely use them as the price tag means that they will be a focal point for the franchise to some extent. It was put in place more specifically so that if they did play in the IPL it would be financially worth it for the players rather than performing for their county.
This could prove as a stumbling block for Patel, however his performances while in India for England may persuade owners to sign him up. Hales and his T20 performances in the Big Bash will definitely get him a team.
The players in the next price bracket I have decided to label as forgotten men of English cricket. Craig Kieswetter, who was man of the match in the 2010 T20 World Cup, has fallen right down the pecking order with the performances of Jos Buttler and the emergence of Ben Foakes, He didn't have the strongest of Big Bash's but his all rounder status and availability may prove to be reasons for a potential purchase.
Luke Wright, who is seen by England as mercenary T20 player, despite him constantly rejected this status, performances in the Big Bash means he will have suitors fighting for him. Rikki Clarke, who has been in the shadow of Andrew Flintoff, was given limited opportunity for England and, despite consistently strong performances for Warwickshire, will never be given another chance. This is seen as a chance to cash in before retirement but his lack of exposure means that it will be a surprise if he is picked up.
Ravi Bopara has played in the IPL before so he will looked out for especially at the lower price tag. Ian Bell's lack of X factor may go against him with the razzle dazzle of the IPL looking for huge hitters rather than touch players, with the only example going against this trend is Mahela Jayawardne. Also with a One Day International series starting before the tournament finishes both will leave early.
Dimitri Mascarenhas is unattached, as is Simon Jones, but both are ageing and their best cricket is behind them. Their low prices and experience may make them a attractive purchase, but they have been left out of the England set up for many years now and even if they do get bought I can't see them playing in too many matches.
Jade Dernbach, whose horror show down under, will struggle to find a suitor as his recent performances are fresh in the memory. Even though he is consistently one of the better performances in the English Twenty20 he has not carried this form into international cricket.
There will not be much English interest in this tournament, as has become a trend of recent years, apart from the KP factor. Outside of KP there will be a few names making the odd appearance but with Eoin Morgan deciding to focus on County cricket there will not be the same level of interest.
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