Ahead of the big day before the latest Indian Premier League season, here’s a glance at overseas players from the full list of players who could attract high bids in the IPL 2021 auction.

Chris Morris

Matches: 218, Wickets: 270, Best: 4-9, Economy: 7.76, Batting strike-rate: 151.02, 50s: 3

The South Africa all-rounder, Chris Morris, had the best bowling average for any Royal Challengers Bangalore to bowl more than 10 overs in IPL 2020 and was profusely praised for his role by Virat Kohli through the season. Surprisingly, the franchise chose to release him ahead of the auction, making him one of the most sought-after overseas players for sale this time around in the IPL 2021 auction. A good powerplay and death overs bowler and a terrific hitter down the order, Morris has a commendable record in T20s, and is likely to be in demand.

Dawid Malan

Matches: 223, Runs: 6117, Average: 33.24, Strike-rate: 128.61, 100s: 5, 50s: 35

England’s controversial T20 player Dawid Malan is also the No.1 ranked ICC T20I batsman. Despite criticism of his struggle to start off quick in a format where it’s a demanded skill, Malan more often than not shut down doubters by battling through the initial phase and then taking off later in the innings. With his outstanding T20 record, Malan isn’t just a sure shot pick, but also one among the list of IPL 2021 overseas players who could be in high demand in the auction.

Shakib Al Hasan

Matches: 317, Runs: 5080, Bat strike-rate: 122.08, Wickets: 360, Economy: 6.87, Best: 6-6

An all-rounder who can bat top-order and bowl four tight overs is never out of fashion in T20 cricket. While Shakib Al Hasan struggled for consistent game time with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, he might be a great fit in most other franchises. The Bangladesh all-rounder made a return from his ban recently and could be in high demand in the auction. His T20 numbers speak of a reliable player who can help maintain the balance in a team. Shakib could be one of the best all-round options available in the IPL 2021 auction among overseas players.

Alex Hales

Matches: 286, Runs: 7927, Average: 30.14, Strike-rate: 144.31, 100s: 4, 50s: 51

A fantastic Big Bash League season for Sydney Thunder has catapulted Alex Hales into the list of star attractions for this IPL season. He scored 543 runs at a strike rate of 161.60 with three fifties and a century and was the highest run-getter in the season. With numbers that could compare well with the best of T20 openers, Hales is one player who could get a bidding war going this IPL 2021 auction. The ability to start the innings off quickly and then carry that momentum past the powerplay could work in Hales’ favour as he seeks an IPL gig after a three-year absence from the league.

Jhye Richardson

Matches: 62, Wickets: 78, Average: 22.85, Economy: 7.87, Best: 4-19

A swing bowler capable of bowling upfront and also in the death overs, Jhye Richardson showcased his value in the Big Bash League for Perth Scorchers. Richardson finished the BBL season as the highest wicket-taker with 29 wickets at an average of 16.31. In Mitchell Starc’s absence, this Australian bowler, who also packs a punch with the bat from lower down the order, could be a potential big scoop for several teams from the list of players on sale.

Sandeep Lamichhane

Matches: 96, Wickets: 125, Average: 18.86, Economy: 6.79, Best: 4-10

The mystery spinner from Nepal has been a roaring success in the franchise leagues he has been a part of. He was released by Delhi Capitals after a handful of games in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, but could be a great pick for a lot of other franchises on the hunt for mystery spinners. The stock leg-break aside, Lamichhane has a bag of tricks up his sleeve and could just be the kind of mystery spinner teams seek to seal four safe overs. Lamichhane could be in high demand in the IPL 2021 auction as one of the few overseas players to offer mystery spin.

Mujeeb-ur-Rahman

Matches: 132, Wickets: 145, Average: 22.86, Economy: 6.64, Best: 5-15

Mujeeb-ur-Rahman was released by Kings XI Punjab after an underwhelming season, but the Afghanistan mystery spinner has a terrific T20 record built on his potency in the powerplay overs. With very few teams having good powerplay spinners, Mujeeb could be a target for several franchises looking to plug that hole. The Afghanistan spinner is at the auction following a good BBL season where he took 14 wickets at an economy rate of 6.26.

Steve Smith

Matches: 209, Runs: 4438, Average: 30.60, Strike-rate: 126.4, 100s: 1, 50s: 21

Released by Rajasthan Royals after a string of sub-par performances, Steve Smith finds himself out of an IPL deal, but that could be fixed on Thursday, when he goes in with a base price of Rs 2 crore. The Australia great’s T20 batting has often been questioned, but at Rajasthan, where he is crammed between quite a few brilliant stroke-players, Smith didn’t have too much leeway to make a huge impact. He could be a great pick for teams looking at sheet anchors to bat around explosive batsmen. A T20 strike-rate of more than 125 combined with an average of 30-plus makes Smith a good pick for teams looking at safe options at the top.

Glenn Maxwell

Matches: 301, Runs: 6581, Average: 27.59, Strike-rate: 152.05, 100s: 3, 50s: 37

The last few IPL seasons have been disastrous for Glenn Maxwell, but the Australian continues to churn runs in the Big Bash League for Melbourne Stars and is one of the most feared limited-overs batsmen in the modern era. Maxwell’s last few IPL seasons might not deter teams from going after him once again, making him a player to watch out for this IPL 2021 auction.

Kyle Jamieson

Matches: 38, Wickets: 54, Average: 20.59, Economy: 7.98, Best: 6-7

The tall New Zealand fast bowler, who can swing the ball with ease and also generate extra nip and bounce off the surface is quickly making himself a popular figure in international cricketing circles. While most of his exploits have come with the red ball, Jamieson‘s potential alone could force teams to go big on him. He does boast of best figures of 6-7 in T20s and has a handy strike-rate of 15.4 in the format. Add in his big hitting skills, that have often been on display for New Zealand, and Jamieson is too good a package to not get a big bid this mini-auction.