3 teams that must go after Sikandar Raza at IPL 2023 Auction
The anticipation towards the IPL 2023 Auction continues to grow with each passing day. The event is set to take place on December 23 in Kochi, and it will be a mini-auction as most marquee players have been retained by the 10 franchises.
All-rounders have always commanded attention among the franchises, and another addition to the sought-after list could be Sikandar Raza. The Zimbabwean superstar has enjoyed a dream run in 2022, to say the least. Fetching a gig when his name goes under the hammer would be the icing on the cake.
Raza might be 36 years old, but many believe he has hit his peak this year. The Zimbabwean has scored 735 runs in T20Is in 2022, while also bagging 25 wickets at an economy rate of 6.13.
In addition he also enjoyed a great run at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia, even earning a nomination for the Player of the Tournament award.
Which IPL team needs Sikandar Raza the most? 😍
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Let's take a look, then, at the three teams that should gun for Raza's services at the IPL 2023 Auction:
#1 Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
A multi-faceted player who handles spin well and offers multiple overs of quality with the ball - it's almost as though Raza ticks off all the boxes for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
The four-time champions do have the all-round services of Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja to call upon. But they might look to add a seam-bowling all-rounder, and Raza offers an enticing package, particularly for games played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Raza is also a decent player of pace bowling. And with his Sunil Narine-esque action and variations, he would be a handful away from home too.
There could be a vacant spot in the middle-order in the CSK XI. Raza bagging a deal with the Yellow Army at the IPL 2023 Auction could give the side more options and combinations.
#2 SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH)
#OrangeArmy, here are the #Risers who will continue to be a part of our journey for #IPL2023 🧡
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With only one between Marco Jansen and Fazalhaq Farooqi likely to feature in the first XI of the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), there is a spot open for an overseas player in their middle order. Since the departure of Rashid Khan, the 2016 champions have also seen their spin stocks take a hit, notwithstanding the presence of Washington Sundar.
A four-over spin bowler who can also round off the middle order, Raza looks like the missing piece in the SRH jigsaw. Mind you, a lot of their plans could revolve around who they appoint as their captain.
Either way, with the heftiest purse to spend and slots aplenty to fill, Raza should fit into the SunRisers outfit like a glove. It is highly likely that they would go after him at the IPL 2023 Auction.
#3 Mumbai Indians (MI)
Locked & loaded for #IPL2023 🔒💪
Presenting our stars for the upcoming season ⭐💙
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With the Mumbai Indians having retained Jofra Archer, Tim David, Tristan Stubbs and Dewald Brevis, one might wonder how Raza fits into their playing XI. But it is clear that the most successful side in the league needs an all-rounder who can bat in the top seven.
Raza ticks off that particular box, and since MI's spin stocks aren't exactly threatening, they could do with the mystery element he brings too. That's especially true given that they play half their games on a batting paradise at the Wankhede Stadium.
The might of Mumbai's batting could see Raza's role reduced on the batting front. But such is his quality that some combinations could easily see him pushed up the order, should MI pick him at the IPL 2023 Auction. Time will tell if that is indeed the case, of course!
Which team do you think will go for Sikandar Raza at the IPL 2023 Auction? Let us know in the comments section below!
Also read: IPL 2023 Retention: 3 reasons why Ravindra Jadeja's retention is a big boost for CSK