For the first time, a mid-season transfer window will come into effect in the IPL starting from Sunday.
Set to run for the period between Match 28 and Match 42, the transfer window will culminate on May 10 with the meeting between Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Under the rules of the transfer window, teams will be allowed to exchange uncapped players as well as those who have not played more than two matches at the half-way stage of the IPL.
Here, we take a look at five such players who could be in demand.
JP DUMINY (MUMBAI INDIANS)
South Africa’s leading run-scorer in T20I cricket has rarely been called upon by defending champions Mumbai Indians so far with Saturday’s win over Chennai Super Kings being his first appearance of the season.
In his 78-match long IPL career, the left-hander has amassed nearly 2,000 runs at an average of 39.9. This wealth of experience makes him a smart buy for any franchise looking for a stable batsman at the top of the innings.
Duminy has a wealth of experience in the IPL.
ALEX HALES (SUNRISERS HYDERABAD)
The destructive England batsman has an impressive strike-rate of over 143 from 173 T20 innings and has all the big shots in the locker to upset any bowling attack. While Sunrisers’ bowling riches make him an afterthought, Hales could yet play a starring role with a bat for teams lacking firepower.
Hales played his first game for the Sunrisers on Sunday and looked good – either way, he will be itching to make his mark whether he stays put or leaves for another franchise.
Hale’s destructive batting makes him an attractive option.
MOEEN ALI (ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE)
Another Englishman who has failed to get a single game so far, Moeen’s all-round abilities should make him a no-brainer for most IPL sides.
The 30-year-old can strike the ball as clean as anyone with his classical shot-making while his hand off-spinners make him a decent wicket-taking option. After a poor Ashes series, the IPL could just be the tonic needed to express himself once again.
Moeen can be a handy all-rounder on subcontinent wickets.
SANDEEP LAMICHHANE (DELHI DAREDEVILS)
The leg-spinner made history by becoming the first Nepal player to earn an IPL contract but so far, he has only been warming the bench.
He might be only be a 17-year-old but the wrist-spinner’s performances during Nepal’s meteoric rise of late have been exemplary. Just like Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman for Kings XI Punjab, Lamichhane could surprise a few people if given the opportunity by any IPL franchise.
Lamichhane (R) has bags of talent with the ball.
ISH SODHI (RAJASTHAN ROYALS)
The New Zealand leg-spinner was brought in as a late replacement by Rajasthan Royals but is yet to play a single game. Sodhi is currently ranked fourth in the ICC T20I bowlers’ rankings and has been a steady performer for the Blackcaps in the limited-overs set-up.
With wrist-spinners thriving in the IPL, the 25-year-old will definitely be generating some interest and he could yet play a big part in what is his first-ever tournament in India.
Sodhi has been a consistent performer for the Blackcaps.
