Come auction day, on February 12, there will be quite a few franchises willing to splurge their dollars on him. Chennai Super Kings have always preferred a side full of all-rounders and Anderson will be perfect for the team. But CSK, along with Mumbai Indians, might find it difficult to get him, because they have already spent a big purse in retaining five players. "It will be interesting to see where Anderson is placed in the auctions...It's unlikely that he will be a marquee player and most of the teams might have spent quite a bit when his name comes up. Teams like CSK and MI, who have already spent a lot, may find it difficult to spend a huge sum on Anderson," an IPL insider told TOI.
Moreover, CSK have Dwayne Bravo in their side and they still have the option of retaining Albie Morkel using their matching card. "He is doing well in Ram Slam T20...One won't be surprised if CSK settle for Albie, who is not playing international cricket any more," the source said.
The teams that still have a big purse left --- Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Daredevils --- may go all out for this Kiwi sensation who holds the record for the fastest ODI century.
"Getting a good price in the IPL is a lot about timing. Anderson has struck gold at the right time...His knocks have come at a time when the franchises are keenly following the developments. And more so, he is doing it against India," WV Raman, the newly-appointed batting coach of KKR, said.
It was pretty much the same for Aussie Glen Maxwell last year. He had done well for Australia and in the Big Bash just ahead of the auctions and became the only million-dollar man of last year's IPL. Maxwell, though, couldn't live up to the expectations and MI released him this year.
According to TA Sekar, one of the directors of Delhi Daredevils, Anderson is a much safer bet. "Anderson's bowling gives him that extra edge. Even though I believe he is a batting all-rounder, the Kiwi has the potential to shape up into a useful cricketer who can perform a dual role," Sekar analysed.
Anderson has bowled well in the current India series, picking up 10 wickets with his medium-pace. Skipper Brendon McCullum is happy to bowl him at the death as well and he has got MS Dhoni out on a couple of occasions. "The best thing about Anderson is that he is a young guy...He can be a long-term prospect for any team and even if he takes the first season to get used to Indian conditions, the franchise that gets him can reap the rewards from the second year," Sekar added.
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