IPL season 3 is all ready to roll out and create a blast. A jittery electric bolt of excitement is all over the world as India prepares for it's finest moment. The franchisee's are getting their agenda's ready, the player's have started to hit the nets for their franchisees and the world waits with baited breath. The fireworks don't start till March 12th, but the animated action that has become synonymous with the IPL has already kick started and is accelerating fast towards the player auction for IPL 3.0.
The IPL auction is less than a fortnight away and the expectations and excitement only grows as each day arrives. With $750,000 purse for each Franchisee, the players under the hammer, the team owners and the public have every right to feel jumpy. There are numerous main attractions and bidding is expected to be a big dog fight. Kieron Pollard will be the hottest player and will surely be on every Franchisees must have list. But there are other eye catching T20 stars such as the Pakistani T20 captain - Shahid Afridi, Pakistani tearaway sensation - Mohammad Aamir, and New Zealand's speed demon - Shane Bond. Here are some of the huge sensations that will surely be on fire on Auction day.
Kieron Pollard captured everyone's eye during the Airtel CLT20 and must have definitely be the top commodity to buy on all the bidder's list. The explosive batsman can send the ball out of any stadium and his big hitting makes him a 'must have'. Added to his ability to clear the ball at will, is his bowling. His right arm medium fast may not be the most intimidating bowling in the world, but sure is a handful to cope up with. He mixes his pace well and uses plenty of variations, and always tends on keeping the batsman guessing. He also has a safe pair of hands and is 'the perfect all-rounder for T20'. Pollard was made for T20 and the team managements know that only very well. Pollard is sure to be the Big Bang explosion of the auction.
New Zealand pacer Shane Bond has been in scintillating form and would be the speedster that teams would look at. Bond has got his second chance at redemption and would be raring to go. His retirement from test cricket will also enable him to spend more time with the shorter format of the game. Bond is a sneaky customer who bowls at tearaway speeds, has a great line and can swing the ball both ways. He mixes up his pace and has variations of every kind in his armory. Bond will be another player to watch out for.
The Pakistani T20 skipper Shahid Afridi is another player like Pollard who was born for T20. He is a live wire in the field and add that with his big hitting and his accurate leg spin, you got a hell of a player! Afridi is made for glamor and the big stage. A person who always is chirpy and in the midst of limelight on and off the field will be more than a catch prize for the IPL teams.
All rounder Abdul Razzaq is another man like Bond who is looking for second chance, and what better place than the IPL extravaganza! Abdul Razzaq is a seasoned campaigner who with his all round efforts of big hitting and his stump to stump nagging line makes him a player to watch.
Mohammad Aamir has been a tearaway pace bowler, who is donning his county cap at such an young age! The talent, energy and potential is there, and with proper channels Aamir can become the McGrath of Pakistan. The bundle of raw energy and talent has definitely raised more than an eye.
Justin Kemp of South Africa is also another big hitting all-rounder who will be looking for the redemption song. The tall man can hit the deck hard and bowl an amazingly teasing line, that is not very easy to score off. He also is one of the players to whom the distance of the boundary does not matter, because when Kemp hits the 'white snowball' it goes into the orbit.
Bangladeshi captain Shakib Al Hasan will be another interesting player to watch out. He is a good batsman and revels in the subcontinent, but a far better spin bowler and probably the best in Bangaldesh. Shakib would provide a good stable middle order and it would be interesting to see how he fares.
Brad Haddin, and Adam Voges will also be notably fought over. Voges is a class act who is a T20 specialist in every sense. His efforts for Nottingham in the English county will speak volumes for him.
It will be interesting to see if a team 'buys' Damien Martyn, considering that his playing days are over. Nevertheless Martyn has fond memories of India and his bat may speak yet again.
Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander, Nuwan Kulasekera, Sulieman Benn, Imran Nazir, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Akmal, and Grant Elliott are other notable figures who can make a big splash.
One thing the IPL has taught us is that cricket like life is unpredictable, and I will not be surprised if a few names above go missing or if some other new names appears. Whatever the case, come Tuesday the 19th, all our speculations, and expectations will be put to rest. IPL 3.0 is all ready to start and on 19th, we'll know what exactly we're in for. Here's hoping for a grand IPL 3.0!
On the whole, it is a good team, coached by Tom Moody , having the potential to go the distance and become champions. We'll have to wait and see....
