Grant Elliott might be one of the top New Zealand players to put his name in the IPL 2016 Player Auction on 6 February, but the all-rounder is more excited to see what money his Black Caps teammates Colin Munro and Martin Guptill go for at the auction.
Guptill and Munro have been in exceptional batting form in the shortest format of the game, and the eight franchises will be aware of their impressive exploits. Guptill has been in tremendous form, with scores of 33, 42, 60, 58, 63 and 87 in six of his last seven T20I innings.
Munro, who is a more dangerous batsman, has been equally impressive, with scores of 35, 50 and 56 runs in his last three matches. Munro, on his day, has the ability to tear apart any bowling attack in the world, as Pakistan found out in the first T20I.
One can expect a bidding war for the duo when their respective names are called out during the IPL Player Auction in Bengaluru.
"Every year there will be a big list of guys who put their names forward and sometimes there's no rhyme or reason why guys get picked up. The form that they [Guptill and Munro] have shown, it would be fantastic," stuff.co.nz quoted Elliott as saying.
Getting picked in the IPL is a huge incentive for any foreign player as they will not only make big bucks, but also help them grow as a cricketer in more ways than one.
"The more New Zealand players we can get into the IPL and get that experience in subcontinent conditions and rub shoulders with the best players in the world, it really does raise the level," Elliott added.
Elliot, who is yet to play in the IPL, is not too worried over being picked in the ever-so-competitive IPL Player Auction field, as his focus is mainly on performing in New Zealand colours.
"If it happens, it happens. Primarily you're focusing on playing for your country and winning games there, and the other stuff is just an added bonus," Elliott said.
The New Zealand players have always been in huge demand in the IPL, proven by the number of quality Black Caps players retained by franchises, including Mitchell McClenaghan, Corey Anderson (both Mumbai), Trent Boult, Kane Williamson (both Hyderabad) and Adam Milne (Bangalore). Former Chennai Super Kings opener Brendon McCullum was drafted by team Team Rajkot in December.
Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell and Nathan McCullum are some of the other big New Zealand players set to participate in the IPL 2016 auction.
