IPL 2021 Auction: A Unique 11 of Expected Players to be Released

Glenn Maxwell on the radar as we look at the team of 11 players to be released for IPL 2021.  

The Board of Council for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently gave a confirmation that there won’t be any Mega Auction for 2021. It would follow a similar pattern that we witnessed in IPL 2020 with IPL 2021 Auction scheduled to take place on Feb 11. With that in mind, BCCI has given a deadline of Jan 20, 2021, for all the teams to announce their retained and released players.

The currently available purse for all the Teams as of today is as follows, and with more released players, this should increase. 

• Chennai Super Kings: INR 0.15 crore
• Delhi Capitals: INR 9 crore
• Kings XI Punjab: INR 16.5 crore
• Kolkata Knight Riders: INR 8.5 crore
• Mumbai Indians: INR 1.95 crore
• Rajasthan Royals: 14.75 crore
• Royal Challengers Bangalore: 6.4 crore
• Sunrisers Hyderabad: 10.10 crore

Considering this is going to be a mini-Auction, teams are unlikely to make any drastic changes to their well-settled squad. While most of the players are expected to be retained, there are a few costly players who have been a liability for the team. These players may face the axe to acquire the services of quality players from the available Auction pool.

So, looking at the cost of the players and their performance in the recent past with more weightage given to IPL 2020, let’s look at the unique 11 of expected players to be released. 

#1: Robin Uthappa – RR

Cost: INR 3 crore

Robin Uthappa was drafted in the RR squad as a replacement for Ajinkya Rahane to solve their opening woes. RR even shelled-out a solid INR 300L to acquire the services of Robin Uthappa, who was released by Kolkata Knight Riders on account of poor performance.

However, Uthappa didn’t do any justice with the performance in IPL 2020 with just 196 runs from 12 innings at an average of 16.3. He doesn’t seem to add any value in the squad, and hence considering a higher price tag of INR 300L, he is expected to be released. 

#2: Murali Vijay – CSK

Cost: INR 2 crore

Murali Vijay has more often been considered as a backup of opener in the CSK squad. However, in the limited opportunity Vijay got in IPL 2020, he could only manage 32 runs from 3 innings at a bizzare SR of 74.4. The performance, age factor, and also a high salary of INR 2 crore isn’t justified for Vijay, and that should be enough for CSK management to release him.   

#3: Karun Nair – KXIP

Cost: INR 5.6 crore

The KXIP management spent a whopping INR 5.6 crore to acquire the services of Karun Nair. However, the Karnataka born, Nair was played only 4 matches, and in that, he could only manage 16 runs at a Strike Rate of 114. That’s certainly not what you wish after spending such a big amount. Hence, in all likelihood, Karun Nair may get the axe ahead of IPL 2021 auction. 

#4: Glenn Maxwell – KXIP

Cost: INR 10.75 crore

The curious case of Glenn Maxwell is something that’s completely understandable. He plays exceptionally well in the International circuit, but god knows what happens to him in IPL as he bats as if he has forgotten batting. In IPL 2020, Maxwell was played for 13 continuous matches of failed performance before KXIP management ran out of patience.

While his performance is definitely not acceptable, his whopping cost of INR 10.75 crore is just adding salt to the wound. In all likelihood, KXIP should release him to make a healthy purse.  If they still want to have him in the squad, at least release him, and buy him at a less price. 

#5: Kedar Jadhav – CSK

Cost: INR 7.8 crore

The heart-throb of all IPL fans, and the worst performer of IPL 2020, Kedar Jadhav stands no chance of retention for IPL 2021. Not just IPL 2020, Kedar has been a poor performer since IPL 2019 for CSK having scored 224 runs from 12 innings a poor strike rate of 95.3. All these at a high cost of INR 7.8 crore should be enough for CSK to make this important call of releasing him in the Auction pool.  

#6: Krishnappa Gowtham – KXIP

Cost: INR 6.2 crore

After making a transfer from Rajasthan Royals to Kings XI Punjab, everyone thought RR made a mistake by releasing Krishnappa Gowtham. The bloke is a hard-hitter down the order, and a decent bowler in the power-play. However, KXIP management’s use of Gowtham is difficult to understand.

They made him play just 2 matches in which he did decent with the bat scoring 42 runs at an average of 42 and a strike rate of 155. His bowling, however, was not up to the mark. While KXIP shouldn’t do the mistake of releasing him, his high cost is a burden, and KXIP seems to have no clue on how to utilize him. Hence, in all likelihood, Gowtham is expected to be released. 

#7: Billy Stanlake – SRH

Cost: INR 0.5 crore

The Sunrisers Hyderabad management is doing no good by blocking an overseas player spot for Billy Stanlake, whose possibility of playing in the pace-dominant SRH bowling line-up seems next to none. In that scenario, it would be wise to release him, and instead use that position to purchase a solid middle-order finisher. This definitely looks probable as Stanlake is not even a feature in Australia’s current squad. 

#8: Nathan Coulter-Nile – MI

Cost: INR 8 crore

Coulter-Nile is a quality bowler, and there is no doubt to it, but spending INR 8 crore to acquire his services when there are tons of good fast bowlers available in the auction makes no sense. Add to it is his current form and IPL 2020 performance. Both are on the negative side. Hence, given the abundance of pacers in the MI squad, Coulter-Nile should be released, and instead, that amount to be used to purchase another attacking pacer like Mitchell Starc. 

#9: Piyush Chawla – CSK

Cost: INR 6.75 crore

Similar to Kedar Jadhav, Chawla may face an axe on account of high cost and poor IPL 2020 performance. If you look at Chawla’s utilization and performance in IPL 2020, you would find MS Dhoni’s team doesn’t have much confidence in him. Hence, spending 6.75 on someone you don’t have confidence signals the only thing; exit. 

#10: Sheldon Cottrell – KXIP

Cost: INR 8.5 crore

A lot of eyebrows were raised when Sheldon Cottrell was purchased for a whopping price of INR 8.5 crore. Cottrell was given a run of 6 matches on the trot before KXIP management ran out of patience. Hence, Cottrell for his high cost should face the axe ahead of IPL 2020. 

#11: Umesh Yadav –  RCB

Cost: INR 4.2 crore

This release can be debatable, but knowing RCB’s management, Umesh Yadav’s release seems likely. The pacer hasn’t done well in the last two years. While ideally, RCB would want to him back for IPL 2021, but not on account of INR 4.2 crore. Hence, RCB may think of releasing him, and purchasing him again at a lower price. 

So, that completes the unique 11 of its kind from the list of expected players that might be released. There are a few more players, but these should be on the highest radar to face the axe. 

Unique XI of Expected Released Players for IPL 2021 Auction:

Robin Uthappa, Murali Vijay, Karun Nair, Glenn Maxwell, Kedar Jadhav, K Gowtham, Billy Stanlake, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Piyush Chawla, Sheldon Cottrell & Umesh Yadav. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your take on the unique 11 of its kind of expected released players for IPL 2021? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com

ALSO READ: IPL 2020: Paisa Barbaad XI of the Season – Steve Smith to Lead

© AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics

Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.