Indian T20 League 2023: Top 5 Overseas pacers whom franchises can target in the upcoming auction

All franchises of the Indian T20 League are gearing up for the mini-auction in Kochi on 23 December 2022. However, these teams already submitted their final list of retained and released players list on 15 November 2022. Meanwhile, on 13 December, the Board announced the full list of players who are going to be under the hammer.

A total of 405 players will be available for auction. Among them, 273 are Indians and 132 are overseas players. The teams will have a total of 87 slots as they will look to fill in the upcoming auction. Among all players, there are some overseas pacers who can be a vital addition to any franchise for the next season. 

Here are the top five overseas pacers who can go big in the Indian T20 League auction 2023:

Paul van Meekeren

Paul van Meekeren (Image Source: Twitter)

This pacer from the Netherlands can go big in the next edition of the Indian T20 League based on his recent performance. Paul van Meekeren had a good 20-20 World Cup 2022 for the Dutch, taking 11 wickets in eight matches at an economy of 6.38. His base price will be INR 20 lakhs. 

Currently, Meekeren is busy playing the Lanka Premier League for Dambulla Aura. As of now, he has played 58 T20Is and picked up 64 wickets at an economy of 6.99. He has the ability to bowl swinging deliveries at the start of the innings while he can also control the flow of runs at the death overs. Thus, franchisees might look for this player in this upcoming auction.      

Luke Wood

Luke Wood (Image Source: Twitter)

This star pacer from England impressed everyone in the recent series, especially in the T20I series in Pakistan before the 20-20 World Cup. In that series, Luke Wood managed to take three wickets in two matches. His space and accuracy impressed everyone as batters were facing troubles while facing Wood.

Currently, he is busy playing for Melbourne Stars in the ongoing Big Bash League. As of now, he has played two matches and picked up three wickets in the tournament. His base price will be INR 1 Crore. So, franchisees can get into a bidding war for this player in the upcoming edition of the league.      

Riley Meredith

Riley Meredith (Image Source: Twitter)

This star pacer from Australia played for the Mumbai franchise last year. However, they released him ahead of this auction. As of now, he has played 13 matches in the Indian T20 League where he has picked up 12 wickets. His base price will be INR 1.5 Crores for the upcoming edition. 

Speaking of the last season, he picked up eight wickets in eight matches at an economy of 8.43. Currently, he is busy playing the ongoing Big Bash League for Hobart Hurricanes. He has taken two wickets for 38 runs in one match. In the Marsh Cup, Meredith has taken nine wickets for five matches at an economy of 5.09. So, franchisees will look to keep him in their squad for a better result.   

Reece Topley

Reece Topley (Image Source: Twitter)

This star pacer from England impressed everyone by delivering top-class performances against India in the ODI series in England. He took nine wickets in three matches, with an economy of 3.70. Indian batters were absolutely clueless against his variations in those seaming-friendly pitches. 

Now, in the T20I series in Pakistan before the 20-20 World Cup, Reece Topley has played four matches and grabbed five wickets. He bowled with an average of 24.80. However, he did not play in the 20-20 World Cup after rolling his ankle during a fielding drill. So, franchises might consider him for the next edition of the Indian T20 League. His base price will be INR 75 Lakhs for the upcoming edition.

Dilshan Madushanka

Dilshan Madushanka (Image Source: Twitter)

This star pacer from Sri Lanka can be a vital addition to any franchise for the next edition of the Indian T20 League. Dilshan Madushanka had a great Asia Cup 2022 campaign as he took six wickets in six matches at an economy of 7.75. He was one of the main reasons behind Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup triumph.

His base price will be INR 50 Lakhs for the upcoming edition. However, he did not play in the 20-20 World Cup after sustaining a quadriceps tear. Currently, he is busy playing for Jaffna Kings in the ongoing Lanka Premier League, He has taken three wickets in two matches. So, franchises might look to keep an eye on this bowler for the next season.