The Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament this year has presented quite a few uncapped domestic players who could possibly walk away with an IPL contract next month.

A breathtaking hundred. A spectacular last-over heist. A miserly spell. The 2021 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy has had a myriad of eye-catching performances that would leave IPL franchises with quite a few options to choose from when it comes to local Indian uncapped talent.

While there were plenty of good individual performances, considering that most teams are pretty well stocked, it’s also a matter of what the team requirements are.

Here are five names we think are best placed to grab a deal on February 18 at the IPL 2021 auction on the back of their performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season.

Mohammed Azharuddeen

Which teams could be interested: Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders

The keyword when it comes to Mohammed Azharuddeen is intent. The Kerala opener smashed the second-fastest hundred in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season against a Mumbai attack that had Dhawal Kulkarni, Tushar Deshpande and Shams Mulani among others. Azharuddeen averages over 50 this season, but what could get him an IPL deal is his strike-rate of 194.55.

With an elite T20 mentality, Azharuddeen looks to maximise the powerplay, even at the expense of losing his wicket. It’s a mindset teams are looking at fostering as evidenced from the last edition of IPL. Chennai, Hyderabad and Delhi possibly have slots at the top for someone lime Azharuddeen. Kolkata too might also be looking to find a back-up for Narine at the top this season, and Azharuddeen’s mentality could suit their needs.

Avi Barot

Which teams could be interested: Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore

The Saurashtra wicketkeeper-batsman who made a massive impact as an opener in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season. In a team sans superstars, Barot was a key player, finishing with 283 runs in five matches at an average of 56.6. Crucially, he struck his runs at a rate of 184.97.

Barot made scores of 122 and 93 this season and both came at a strike-rate greater than 200. Doubling up as a wicketkeeper stands Barot in good stead in his bid to win an IPL contract. Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings could be interested in him. But, Royal Challengers Bangalore perhaps will be most keen to get him on board especially with Parthiv Patel out of the equation. AB de Villiers kept for them last season, a job that would have taken a toil on his troublesome back. A domestic ‘keeper-batsman who can open would be quite a deal for RCB.

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Ashutosh Aman

Which teams could be interested: Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad

A steady left-arm spinner who can vary his pace and bowl stump-to-stump might not qualify as a dream T20 bowler for many. But Ashutosh Aman is slightly different, as he picks up wickets, keeps the run flow pretty tight and has years of domestic experience under his belt.

The 34-year-old has been a consistent performer for a while, and in this Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the Bihar spinner finished with 16 wickets, the most by anyone, at an average of 7.62 and an economy rate of 5.08. Kings XI Punjab have two domestic spinners already, but both are leg-spinners and they might find room for a left-arm spinner. Hyderabad and Kolkata too might look to complement their respective lead spinners with a steady option like Aman.

Vishnu Solanki

Which teams could be interested: Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad

Vishnu Solanki hit the headlines with a helicopter six off the final ball to win a game for Baroda and has 218 runs in five games heading into the finals of the tournament. The middle-order batsman is an enticing option for teams looking to add firepower in the lower middle-order without spending on an overseas buy.

It’s a role that’s in demand and it’s likely that Solanki’s sparkling show will not go unnoticed. He peaked towards the end of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season and the nonchalance with which he finished off the heist against Haryana stands him in good stead to get an IPL deal, even if his overall T20 record isn’t much to write home about. RCB, Sunrisers and Rajasthan are in a hunt for local middle-order batsmen and Solanki could be a really good pick for any of these teams.

Pankaj Jaswal

Which teams could be interested: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad

Part of the Mumbai Indians setup a couple of years ago, Pankaj Jaswal had a decent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season, picking up 10 wickets at an average of 11.5, including a best of 4-15. The right-arm fast bowler is a good Indian pace bowling option to have, especially having been around the Mumbai Indians setup.

The franchise had picked him up on the back of a good Vijay Hazare Trophy the year before the auction last time, and this time around, his showing in the T20 tournament might impress the defending champions. With Mumbai having released quite a few fast bowlers, Jaswal could be on their radar again. Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad are two others who have vacant spots for domestic seamers.

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