Five players who can replace Jason Roy in Indian T20 League

The attacking English opener Jason Roy was quite a steal for the new Indian T20 franchise from Gujarat at a cost of 2 Cr (INR), which was his base price. But with the sudden decision of the opener to opt-out of the Indian T20 league due to bio bubble has left the franchise looking for a replacement.

Jason Roy who averages just above 25 in T20Is is mainly known for his hitting prowess as he scores his runs at a strike rate of above 140. So, the role he was selected for in the team was probably to take the attack to the opposition from the very beginning. Keeping in mind the probable role Roy was to play in the team, we look at some of the players who may be able to replace him.

Dawid Malan (Base Price INR 1.5Cr): Currently ranked 4th in the International T20 rankings, Dawid Malan’s presence at the top order might be beneficial to the Gujarat team. Malan has scored runs in the international T20 circuit at an average of 40 plus and at a strike rate of above 137.

Aaron Finch (Base Price INR 1.5Cr): Aaron Finch along with his attacking batting style will bring the aspect of leadership into the team. Aaron Finch has scored runs at an average of nearly 35 and a strike rate of above 145 in the International T20 competitions. However, his previous stints in the Indian T20 league have been mostly below par, a factor that might go against him.

Colin Munro (Base Price INR 1.5Cr): Colin Munro might be a good addition to a squad given his all-around abilities. He can open the bat and give a dynamic start to the team, while may also rotate his arms for a spell of 2-3 overs if needed. He has a strike rate of above 140 in the international T20 circuit and an average of above 30 runs per innings. 

Martin Guptill (Base Price INR 75 L): Martin Guptill with his dynamic batting approach may be a very good option to go with at the top. Guptill has a healthy average of above 30 and a strike rate of above 136 in the international arena. Though he has played in the Indian T20 league previously, the records don’t speak much of his ability as the stint was quite short.

Laurie Evans (Base price INR 40 L): Laurie Evans is not quite a well-known name in the Indian cricket circuit. But he has been an active participant in most of the T20 leagues around the world. He has played nearly 200 T20 matches around the world, scoring at an average of over 34 runs per innings and a strike rate of above 130.

Jason Roy being a foreign player the replacements here spoken of are foreigners. Gujarat Franchise will be in search of an attacking and dynamic opener who would give them quick and brisk starts in the matches. Fans will be hoping that they find a suitable replacement for Jason Roy and give some impactful performances in the tournament.