The 2021 season of IPL is just a few months away as the cricket fans are excited to witness the 14th edition of the world’s most popular cricket league. Before the next auction, reports have emerged claiming that a new franchise will become a part of the IPL next year. Some feel that Ahmedabad might get the new team because of the renovated Motera stadium.
NCA Head Rahul Dravid believed that the introduction of new team would help the unsold players get contracts because there was an abundance of talent in the Indian cricketing circles. Thus, if the ninth team joins the IPL, at least 15-20 players will get new deals. Also, some veterans will get the coaching roles in the support staff.
Speaking of the players first, here are the five deserving cricketers who will likely benefit if a new franchise joins the IPL in 2021.
1.Chris Lynn
Australian opener Chris Lynn played for the Kolkata Knight Riders until the 2019 season. However, KKR released him before the 2020 auction. He was the first player to go under the hammer in the previous auction.
While many fans expected him to fetch a huge contract, the Mumbai Indians signed him at his base price of 2 Crores. Since MI had two high-class openers in Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma, Lynn did not get a single chance in IPL 2020. Perhaps, he could open the innings for the new team next season.
2.Parthiv Patel
Another opening batsman who did not get a single game in IPL 2020 was Parthiv Patel. The Royal Challengers Bangalore preferred Aaron Finch, Devdutt Padikkal, and Josh Philippe over Patel.
It is pertinent to note that Parthiv has a ton of experience under his belt. He has even won the IPL multiple times. Still, RCB benched him and if Ahmedabad joins IPL next year, he could be the face of the franchise.
3.Joe Root
England’s Test team captain Joe Root had an impressive T20 Blast campaign in 2020. However, the IPL franchises continued to ignore him in the auction.
Root has a stellar record in T20 cricket. Since he has so much captaincy experience, he could earn a contract from the new team and lead them in IPL 2021.
4.Mushfiqur Rahim
Bangladesh’s wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has gone unsold in every IPL auction that he has entered. One of the main reasons behind him going sold is the fact that only four overseas players can play in the XI.
The new team might hunt for an overseas keeper. Like the names mentioned above, even Rahim has played much T20 cricket. Thus, he could play that role for the new franchise.
5.Martin Guptill
New Zealand’s swashbuckling opening batsman Martin Guptill has played for the Mumbai Indians, the Sunrisers Hyderabad, and the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL. Although he is a great white-ball player, he has not got many opportunities in the IPL.
Guptill is a hard-hitter and an exceptional fielder. Thus, the new team and Guptill himself can benefit if IPL becomes a nine-team tournament in 2021.
