IPL auction 2018: The foreign all-rounders who can hit a big pay day

Bengaluru, January 24: All-rounders, perhaps, are the most valuable species in cricket. They lent balance and options to the team. No wonder then Ben Stokes is a hotly anticipated draw in the IPL auction to be held on January 27 and 28.

But Stokes is not alone. There are a few other all rounders who can take this IPL auction by storm. Mykhel looks at the foreign names who could be in for a big pay cheque.

Ben Stokes (Base price: Rs 2 crore)

The off-field trouble apart, the England all-rounder is the hottest property going into the IPL auction. He can change his game with batting, bowling and fielding. A sparkling fifty for Canterbury recently in New Zealand league has proved that Stokes' desire and abilities were not affected by that night club brawl and subsequent time away from top flight cricket.

Dwayne Bravo (Base price: Rs 2 crore)

The Trinidadian has been a pet name in Chennai thanks to his exploits with the Super Kings. This time too they will go for him but other teams will be hot pursuit in the IPL auction. A flexible batsmen willing to bat anywhere, a bowler with a deadly well-disguised slower ball and slow bouncer and a livewire on the field - Bravo will be a dream catch.

Shakib al Hasan (Base price: 1 crore)

One of the top all-rounders in the world, the Bangladesh man has done well for Kolkata Knight Riders in the past. He can get you some runs at fast clip but his left-arm spin is thrifty and hardly allows batsmen the room to free his hands. He just darts them in to their feet. He may not trigger a price war like Bravo or Stokes but Shakib will be in demand. Of course, Shakib is the top name in ICC T20 ranking list for all rounders.

D'Arcy Short (Base price: Rs 20 lakh)

He is the latest sensation. His blitz efforts for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash league have made him a top name in the IPL auction. He is a destructive bat at the top of the order and a useful left-arm spinner and he has already earned comparisons with David Warner. His final price: That could push your eyeballs out.

Colin de Grandhomme (Base price: Rs 75 lakh)

The New Zealander is a bruising hitter as showed against Pakistan at Hamilton earlier this month. He is disciplined medium pacer too making him an interesting option for the franchises in the IPL auction. The announcement of his name will certainly push start an intense bidding and at Rs 75 lakh base price he's good bargain too.