3 unsold players IPL franchises should be looking at as replacements
This year, just as is the case with any other year, several phenomenal players went unsold in the IPL auction. Most often, team combinations and auction dynamics affect the demand for otherwise proven performers and lead to them not being bought by any franchise. However, as per the rules of the IPL, a team may bring in a replacement player when an existing member of its squad withdraws from the tournament due to injury or some other reason.
Replacement players are not mere placeholders, though. Several times in the past, replacement players have come in and made immense impact in the tournament. The most famous case of this is when Chris Gayle, arguably the greatest player in the history of the IPL, went unsold in the 2011 auctions and was drafted in as a replacement player by the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
With the participation of several key players, including Steven Smith and David Warner, looking unlikely, franchises will certainly be on the lookout for able replacements.
This article looks at three unsold players that can make an impact if brought in as replacements.
#3 Manoj Tiwary
Why no franchise would opt for Manoj Tiwary, a proven middle-order accumulator in the IPL and a veteran of the domestic circuit, remains a mystery; however, if called upon, the batsman from Bengal could make a big difference.
Tiwary is a versatile batsman who can fulfil any role ranging from batting in the top order to finishing an innings later on, and would certainly be on the radar of several franchises looking to bring in an experienced and proven batsman into their ranks.
Further, his form off-late has not been bad either: in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy season, he scored 616 runs at a healthy average of 51.3. Whether he gets called upon or not remains to be seen, but Manoj Tiwary will certainly be an asset to any side if he is drafted in.