Pujara might struggle again to get an IPL contract: Manoj Tiwary

Manoj Tiwary has pointed out that Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara might hassle to get an IPL contract again. The former batsman also reckoned that Pujara could perform well for any team at the top of the order. After Pujara's two knee surgeries, Tiwary feels that the batsman is not seen as a fast runner between wickets or on the field. This could be a massive drawback for the franchises considering a short format.

The 292-player pre-selected list for the upcoming IPL mini-auction includes several established Test performers. The players will be trying their luck to capture contracts. Cheteshwar Pujara has enrolled his name with a modest base price of ₹50 lakh. The batsman has featured in 30 IPL matches, but his last outing was back in 2014. Even though T20 is clearly not his specialty, Pujara has stated that he can switch gears if given an opportunity.

IPL teams can take a chance on Vihari as a No.4 batsman: Manoj Tiwary

Hanuma Vihari is another cricketer who has not got a suitor in the Indian Premier League. However, former KKR batsman Manoj Tiwary opines that IPL teams can take a chance on Hanuma and use him as a number 4 batsman. Vihari has featured in 24 IPL matches in his career, all of which have come for Sunrisers Hyderabad. His last appearance in the tournament was in 2019. The 27-year-old averages just around 14 and has a strike-rate of 88.2. The Sydney test savior threw his name in the ring with a base price of ₹ 1 Crore. His IPL stats are not as impressive as Pujara. Pujara has scored 284 runs in 24 matches at a strike rate of 88.47. Considering both Pujara and Vihari are Test specialists, it remains to be seen if the duo will play in the upcoming 14th edition of the league.

The three IPL teams who will be the most active on the auction table will be Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. These top franchises have the maximum money in the bank – ₹53.2 Crores, ₹34.85 Crores, and ₹35.9 Crores, respectively. Overall, 61 slots are yet to be filled out of which 22 vacancies are for overseas players. The mini-auction is scheduled on Feb 18, from a pool of 164 Indian players, 125 overseas, and three from Associate Nations.\

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