Mumbai: The The fourteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was halted last month in view of rising Covid-19 cases in the bio-bubble. Recently the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on that the reaming games if IPL 2021 will be played in the UAE and is expected to resume between September 15 to October 10.
With the IPL set to resume BCCI’s biggest challenge now is availability of players. Players like Pat Cummins, who is reportedly ruled out, the participation of overseas stars like Shakib Al Hasan, Jos Buttler, Jason Roy, Eoin Morgan, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell will also be under scanner. The franchises will need to find out replacement for these players.
As the concern is raising for the availability of players let’s take a look at 5 unsold players who can make a comeback as replacements:
View this post on Instagram
Sandeep Lamichhane: The talented spinner from Nepal is quite famous in India, having played for Delhi Capitals before. He was a part of the Delhi Capitals squad in 2018 and 2019. Lamichhane has 13 wickets to his name in 9 matches and has certainly proven his worth in the best T20 league in the world. Considering his unique wicket-taking ability it’s enough for him to make to make it to any team. Keeping the fact in mind that pitches in UAE will assist the spinners, the franchises might include him to get the services of the 20-year-old to give a different dimension to their bowling attack.
View this post on Instagram
Aron Finch: It came as a shock to many to see that the Australian limited-overs captain Aron Finch went unsold during the 2021 auction. Finch is one of the greatest T20 players of all time. The Australian ODI and T20I captain is a decent player against spin as well. Even though he has a below-average IPL record, he can tear apart any pace attack.
However, the second leg of the IPL might be the key to Finch’s return to the toughest T20 tournament. In 71 T20I games, Finch has scored 2346 runs with a average of 38.46. Talking about his IPL records, Finch has scored 2005 runs in 85 innings. If required he can play solid innings, he might be an asset to any team he plays for.
Corey Anderson: The big-hitting Kiwi cricketer announced his retirement last year and is now playing only franchise cricket in the UK. The 29-year-old has played 13 Tests, 49 ODIs and 31 T20Is for the Black Caps’. Anderson has also played in the IPL for Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the past.
Alex Hales: Alex Hales has been one of the most destructive players in the T20 format in recent times. He had a impactful knocks during the Big Bash League. Adding on, he has no place in the T20I team for now he might be fully available for IPL 2021 in Sept. The right-handed batsman amassed 1644 runs in 60 T20I with a strike rate of 136.66. Adding on, 543 runs in 15 innings in BBL 10. With the experience of playing in Sunrisers Hyderabad tournament before might also help his case and he might be the perfect replacement for any of the franchis.
Adil Rashid: Adil Rashid has been one of the finest leg-spinners in international cricket. The wrist-spinner played a crucial role in helping England win the 2019 World Cup. He has been a consistent performer the Eoin Morgan led team, he has been England’s premier spinner in the limited-overs format. Till now, he has played 57 T20Is and 109 ODIs. Leg spinners play a vital role in the limited-overs format as well. And in a competition like IPL, Rashid can be a match-winner for any franchise he plays for.
