IPL 2024
Indian T20 League 2023: Players to watch out from each team
The 16th edition of the Indian T20 League will witness many new faces for the first time in the tournament. The league generates value for the Indian economy in several ways but at the same time, it also brings a lot of money for the players whether they are from India or overseas.
Meanwhile, the upcoming season looks interesting as many players who missed out on the richest cricket league last year will be seen playing this year. Here we will take a look at the players to watch out for from each team in the league.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz from Kolkata
Afghanistan destructive wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz was traded from Gujarat to Kolkata before the auction. He was included in Gujarat’s squad in the 15th edition of the cash-rich league as a replacement for England batter Jason Roy but did not play any game last season. Gurbaz can be seen opening for Kolkata as the franchisee requires an explosive batter in the top order
Sam Curran from Punjab
England’s star allrounder Sam Curran was the player of the tournament in the 20-20 World Cup 2022 as he picked the most wickets in the tournament. He also became the costliest buy ever in the history of the cash-rich league as the Punjab-based franchise secured his services at a whopping price of INR 18.5 crore.
Cameron Green from Mumbai
It was already expected that Australian allrounder Cameron Green will fetch a lot of money in the auction and that proved right as he was signed by the Mumbai-based franchise at a mind-boggling price of INR 17.5 crores. Green proved his ability in the shortest format for the Australian team when he got promoted to open the innings and also got the full license to hit every delivery. He might bring wonders for Mumbai this season.
Nicholas Pooran from Lucknow
Despite having a disastrous 20-20 World Cup last year, former West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran emerged as one of the most expensive buys in the auction as the Lucknow-based franchise bought him at INR 16 cores. Pooran is popular for hitting huge sixes but he hasn’t proven himself yet in the Indian T20 League. However, he had a decent last season. Lucknow had made their middle order strong by signing the Caribbean six-hitting machine.
Ben Stokes from Chennai
England’s Test team captain and star allrounder Ben Stokes is making headlines with his aggressive captaincy in the longest format these days. However, Stokes recently announced his retirement from the ODI format but decided to stick to Test and T20I. The star allrounder was sold to the Chennai-based franchise for INR 16.25 crores. Stokes can play the role that Curran used to play for the franchise in past.
Rilee Rossouw from Delhi
South Africa batter Rilee Rossouw made a brilliant comeback in the international team last year and got the reward for it at the end of the year as he was sold to the Delhi-based franchise for INR 4.60 crores. Rossouw is in magnificent form in the shortest format and it can be very effective for Delhi to win their first-ever Indian T20 League title.
Joe Root from Rajasthan
The Rajasthan-based franchise made a strategic move by signing the former England captain Joe Root at his base price of INR 1 crore. Root hasn’t appeared in many T20 matches in his career but his batting style is very suited to be played in the shortest format. Root can provide a solid middle-order batting display if he gets the chance.
Wanindu Hasaranga from Bangalore
The star Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga had a wonderful run in the 20-20 World Cup 2022. He also performed brilliantly in the Lanka Premier League as well. Hasaranga was retained by the Bangalore-based franchise as the star allrounder had a great last season, especially with the ball.
Harry Brook from Hyderabad
England’s young sensation, Harry Brook is breathing fire with his bat in the longest format these days. However, the right-hander approached the T20-style gameplay in the Test format as well. Brook never hesitates to hit a maximum. His six-hitting ability will surely make a strong middle-order batting lineup for Hyderabad. The franchise signed him for INR 13.25 crores.
Kane Williamson from Gujarat
Former Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson was released by the franchise after a disappointing last season. It was expected that the right-hander will not get a single bidder in the auction. However, the Gujarat-base franchise acquired the experienced Kiwi batter for INR 2 crores