Srinagar, January 30: J&K cricket fans, it’s time to tighten your seatbelts as the IPL auction is round the corner. Thus far four J&K players including Parvez Rasool, Manzoor Dar, Rasikh Salam and Abdul Samad were lucky enough to find a buyer at the IPL auction. So, can we expect a few more J&K cricketers getting the ticket to play in the world’s most exciting T20 league on February 12 and 13?
While nothing concrete can be said about how franchises work in the auctions, we take a look at some of the J&K cricketers who can potentially make it through:
Abid Mushtaq
Role: Allrounder (left-arm spin, left-handed lower-order batter)
Base Price: 20 lakh
Franchises who can bid: Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals
Without a doubt, Abid Mushtaq is at the top of the list. The left-arm spinning all-rounder did exceedingly well in Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy this season, attracting the attention of Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals scouts. Both the franchises called him for the trials. At Royals, he performed quite well with both bat and ball. Abid bowls quick through the air, finishes his overs quickly and has a bunch of variations under his belt. He can also hit the ball long distances with the bat.
However, what makes him the most likely player from J&K to fetch an IPL contract is that Mumbai Indians called him for trials FOUR times. Yes, you heard it right. He was called to attend four different trial camps by the Mumbai-based franchise.
Mujtaba Yousuf
Role: Left-arm pacer
Base Price: 20 lakh
Franchises who can bid: Royal Challengers Bangalore
An exciting left-arm seam bowler, Mujtaba Yousuf, was a part of Royal Challengers Bangalore net-bowlers contingent last season. It is believed that his ability to swing the ball both ways impressed RCB’s think-tank and they might rope in him for the upcoming season.
Mujtaba bowled quite well in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and has been a frontliner for J&K in all the three formats for the last couple of seasons. While he bowls in mid 130s, swing is his major weapon.
Rasikh Salam
Role: Right-arm pacer
Base Price: 20 lakh
Franchises who can bid: Mumbai Indians
Not much needs to be said about Rasikh Salam, who made the headlines in 2019 by becoming just the second J&K cricketer to play in the IPL. The youngster was bought by Mumbai Indians in the auction and left everyone surprised when he straightaway made it to Mumbai’s playing XI in their first match of IPL 2019.
Rasikh was later banned for two years after being found guilty of age-fudging. His ban ended last year. He made a comeback by playing for J&K U-25 team in the one-day tournament this season. Mumbai Indians have kept their faith in him as he stayed in Mumbai under their shadow during the ban. They are likely to retain him in the upcoming auction.
Nasir Lone
Role: Allrounder (right-handed middle/lower-order batter, right-arm medium pacer)
Base Price: 20 lakh
Franchises who can bid: Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians
The allrounder was the first J&K cricketer to get an IPL trial call-up this season. His all-round performance for J&K in the U-25 one-day tournament helped him gain the attention of scouts at Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings. He has done well in the trials, especially at Punjab Kings.
His ability to swing the new-ball, play both to the merit and go berserk with the bat and gun-fielding make him a player that every IPL team would want. He received a trial call from Mumbai Indians twice, which could also be seen as a sign of how interested teams seem in him.
Auqib Nabi
Role: Allrounder (right-arm pacer, right-handed lower-order batter)
Base Price: 20 lakh
Teams who can bid: Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings
Auqib Nabi has been J&K’s most consistent performer across the formats in the last couple of seasons. He takes wickets upfront, in the middle-overs as well as in the death. He has a wide range of variations: cutters, yorker, bouncer, etc under his armoury. Also, his ability to hit those big sixes with the bat make him a special player.
The allrounder performed brilliantly in both Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy this season. He also received trial calls from Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings, performing equally well.
Henan Malik
Role: Middle-order batter
Base Price: 20 lakh
Teams who can bid: Kolkata Knight Riders
Henan has the ability to bat deep as well as play attacking cricket. Kolkata Knight Riders have long been searching for someone who can stabilise their middle-order, Henan can exactly provide them that. He also is a terrific fielder.
The right-handed batter finished the U-25 tourney with astonishing numbers, following it with a decent outing in Vijay Hazare Trophy. It is learnt that he did very well in the trial camp held by Kolkata Knight Riders.
Waseem Bashir
Role: Right-arm fast bowler
Base Price: 20 lakh
Teams who can bid: Kolkata Knight Riders
After seeing Umran Malik in action last IPL, world-famous commentator Ian Bishop said he was sure there were more such quick bowlers in Jammu and Kashmir. He was quite right. There’s no dearth of raw pace bowlers in J&K and Waseem Bashir is a fine example of that.
He was unknown till he played for J&K U-25 side this season. His serious pace– supposedly 140 to 145 kph/h– could be the reason that he finds a buyer at the auction. Kolkata Knight Riders called him for the trial and would have definitely taken note of his pace.
Mohsin Kamal is the editor of Kashmir Sports Watch. He can be reached at 64mohsinkamal@gmail.com