10 players in auction pool who can make IPL-7 their own..

I was waiting for IPL-7 since the past few years. Not that I love the number 7. Everyone loves that number. Its most probably the number of their favorite jersey of their favorite player. Dhoni wears #7, Cristiano Ronaldo, the ballon d'or winner this year, wears #7. But that's not the reason why I was waiting for IPL-7. IPL-7 was supposed to be a season when all the players will automatically be part of the auction pool. That's right, no retention. Imagine Chris Gayle, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard all part of the auction pool. We would have had one more reason to blame the current Indian Government for the rising inflation - in this case, the inflated auction pricing for above mentioned players! 

But that's not how it turned out, now does it? IPL governing body decided that teams can retain a maximum of 5 players for 39Cr. Why was this changed? No one knows. Or maybe a certain guy named Lalit Modi has the answer. This is what he wrote on twitter -  

Now that could be an allegation considering both Lalit Modi and Srinivasan are not the best of friends. But whatever the reason, I was left disappointed with the change in rule. Teams also have a special "Joker Card" or "Right To Match" which they can activate to buy a former player from the auction at the price at which he was sold. Maybe, Lalit Modi was right, after all. Be that as it may, the IPL teams will have to follow the rule and fans like me will have to accept and move on. 

Following are the list of players retained by IPL teams - 

Image - kind courtesy Economic Times

The retention list signals two things to me. One - teams are retaining the core players on which their team has been built. Two - some key personnel are now part of the auction pool. And that's what this post is all about. Lets have a look at some top players who will "go under the hammer".

Top Indian players in the auction pool - 

1. Yuvraj Singh - He could possibly be the biggest coup of the auction. Any team that gets hold of Yuvraj will have a match-winner on their hands. But will also have to part with a significant chunk of their purse. Is he still the match winner he was years ago, time will tell. He also bowls 4 crucial overs, fields exceptionally well and can hit sixes at will. 
2. Virender Sehwag - A recent slump notwithstanding, he is a special talent. For a batsman they say, you need just a single innings to come back to form. And if Sehwag plays that innings, it will be worth downloading and watching over and over again! Again an all rounder who can bowl crucial overs in the middle.
3. Murali Vijay - Chennai Super Kings had the privilege of only five players to retain. And I guess he was sixth on the list (you are allowed to retain only one international player and it was Bravo. Hence, Hussey wont be the sixth player here). An opener who has proved his credentials, part of the IPL season winning team, part of Champions League winning team. He has been there, done that! He probably will be picked by Chennai using their "Right To Match" card.
4. Zaheer Khan - Possibly a casualty of the retention rule. Who will retain an Indian fast bowler for IPL season in Indian pitches? Logic. He has been a former spearhead of the Indian bowling attack. Owner of that lethal reverse swing. Can bowl yorkers at the death.
5. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar - Another Indian fast bowler. But this guy has hit some form in international matches. Decent line and length. Can bowl tight overs in the beginning and at the end.

Top International players in the auction pool - 

1. Mitchell Johnson - A player in hot form and one that Mumbai Indians so dearly wanted to retain. It would have been a tough decision between Johnson and Malinga. I however feel Mumbai Indians will use their "Right To Match" card
2. David Warner - How in this world did Delhi miss out on David Warner? Delhi says they want to form a fresh team. That's understandable given their form in all IPL seasons. But David Warner?
3. Brendon McCullum - A clean hitter, can change the complexion of the match on its head, can keep wickets, can open, has been a captain of an IPL team, This guy has it all.
4. Steve Smith - All rounders are always an advantage to their team, irrespective of the match format. One of the few positives to emerge from Kochi Tuskers before they were terminated. His Ashes form can be replicated in IPL and will be a huge asset to any team.
5. Ross Taylor - Rahul Dravid famously said, "On the off-side, first there is God. Second, there is Ganguly". I can categorically say the same thing about Ross Taylor, albeit on the leg side! This guy can hit some towering sixes on the leg side and makes it look so effortless. 

Other Notable Mentions - 

• Amit Mishra
• Pragyan Ojha
• Yusuf Pathan
• Corey Anderson (fastest ODI century in 36 balls)
• Michael Hussey
• Brad Hodge
• Kevin Pieterson
• Dwayne Smith
• Shaun Marsh
• Brett Lee
• Mahela Jayawardena

The date - February 12th. 

Location - Near your /  neighbors / dealers TV set. 

Let the auction begin!