OPINION: On February 12/13, 24 NZ cricketers will be up for sale in the 2022 Indian Premier League's 'mega auction'.
Those Kiwis join more than 500 players from across the globe hoping to join cricket's most lucrative competition, with 220 of those being overseas (non-Indian) players.
But with each of the 10 sides only allowed eight foreigners on their respective rosters and of those 80 available spots, eight are already filled. Hundreds of players will miss out.
While our players have been unlucky in the past, a heavy Kiwi influence in IPL coaching ranks does boost their chances somewhat.
Retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kane Williamson will play regardless, while Kyle Jamieson - last year's surprise winner - has opted out of this year's auction altogether.
Here's how New Zealand's contingent stack up:
Trent Boult (reserve price NZ$400,000)
Guaranteed to sell. The Blackcaps spearhead is without question one of white-ball cricket's standout bowlers, he's no stranger to success in the IPL and has been named as a 'marquee' player for this auction.
Boult played a key part in Mumbai Indians' 2020 title victory, forming a formidable partnership with India's Jasprit Bumrah. At the very least, Mumbai should bid for him, but other franchises may also hope to snap up the left-armer.
We could be in for a bidding war.
Chance of selling 10/10
Lockie Ferguson (NZ$400,000)
As far as the world's premier fast bowlers go, Ferguson would be a tempting purchase for any side wanting that extra bit of oomph with the ball.
A bowling average of 27 from his 22 IPL matches so far doesn't do Ferguson justice, after stints with both Kolkata Knight Riders and now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, but the Kiwi paceman is highly regarded in India.
Fast bowlers are usually sought after in the auctions, so don't be surprised if and when Ferguson cashes in this time around.
Chance of selling 10/10
Jimmy Neesham (NZ$300,000)
Already boasting a huge following in India, thanks to his social media presence, Neesham's chances might be hurt by a less-than-flattering IPL record.
From 12 games across stints with Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi and Punjab Kings, Neesham averages less than 10 with the bat and just over 38 with the ball.
All-rounders normally fetch good, if not great, money come auction time and Neesham's status as a regular Blackcaps international could see him sold - albeit for lower than his base price on the auction's second day.
Chance of selling 7/10
Glenn Phillips (NZ$300,000)
In 2021, no player hit more sixes than Phillips in Twenty20 cricket - both international and domestic.
The 25-year-old has played across the world's various leagues, racking up time in England, the Caribbean and India in 2021 alone, as well as his part in the Blackcaps run to the T20 World Cup final.
A late replacement call-up to Rajasthan Royals in 2021 showed that Indian sides have looked at Phillips, but his $300,000 base price may be a touch too high for teams to look at first.
Don't be surprised if Phillips is another sold for a smaller sum on the second day.
Chance of selling 6.5/10
Adam Milne (NZ$300,000)
Like Ferguson, Milne's ability to bowl 150km/h will be a tempting prospect for teams to snap up this year.
Milne is another to have tasted success around the world as a T20 mercenary and was the standout player in the first edition of England's 'The Hundred' competition last year.
Former Kiwi quick Shane Bond's role as Mumbai's bowling coach earned Milne a contract in 2021 and could play a part in him being sold again this year.
Chance of selling 7/10
Tim Southee (NZ$300,000)
The leader of the Blackcaps attack in all formats, Southee comes into the auction off the back of a T20 World Cup that saw him take eight wickets at 22.50, with an economy rate of just 6.5 runs per over.
What's more, Southee's last T20 International outing was a performance of 3/16 against India in India. Performances against India are generally a good way to impress franchises before the auction and Southee's done just that.
He's already been involved with five IPL teams in the past - Kolkata, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore - so boasts experience in the league.
And with Chennai coach Stephen Fleming, Kolkata coach Brendon McCullum and Bangalore's director of cricket Mike Hesson well aware of Southee's ability, there could be plenty of interest.
Chance of selling 7.5/10
Colin Munro (NZ$300,000)
No longer an international prospect for the Blackcaps, Munro's role as a Twenty20 mercenary has produced impressive displays in other leagues, including recently winning Australia's Big Bash with Perth Scorchers.
A relentless, aggressive opening batter, Munro's hit-out-or-get-out approach doesn't reflect kindly on his statistics, averaging just under 15 with the bat in the IPL.
On his day, there are few better batters to watch than Munro, but teams may find more consistent options among the other hundreds of batters under the hammer.
Chance of selling 5/10
Devon Conway (NZ$200,000)
In 2021, Conway went unsold at the February auction. Four days later, he struck an unbeaten 99 against Australia, opening the world's eyes to his abilities with the bat at the highest level.
His reputation has only grown since. Albeit from a small sample size, Conway averages 50 across all three international formats and has quickly established himself as a Blackcaps mainstay.
Capable of batting at the top of the order or in the middle, Conway's versatility should see teams at the very least take a look at him.
Add in his ability to keep wicket, as seen at the T20 World Cup, and there could be more than one franchise tempted to put in a bid for the South African-born Kiwi.
Chance of selling 8/10
Mitchell Santner (NZ$200,000)
New Zealand's premier white-ball spinner, Santner's peaking at the perfect time as an all-rounder, with his last T20 knock with the bat being a 40-ball 92 runs for Northern Brave to seal the Super Smash title.
No stranger to the IPL after his time with Chennai, Santner's previously been relegated to a bench player under coach Stephen Fleming.
The reigning champions could be tempted to bring Santner back, or another side may want him to be one of their main men for the new season.
Chance of selling 7/10
Colin de Grandhomme (NZ$200,000)
One of the most underrated cricketers in the Blackcaps' rise up the global ladder, de Grandhomme's time in the IPL hasn't been kind.
A batting average of 18.93 from 25 games and a bowling average of over 50 don't make for good reading, and his recent horror show in New Zealand's T20 series loss to Bangladesh leaves a lot to be desired.
Injuries have restricted de Grandhomme's role as a white-ball bowler, which could force sides to look at him as a batter only.
And while de Grandhomme has proven to be a matchwinner on his day, you worry that unless a Kiwi coaching connection helps him out, he'll go unsold again in 2022.
Chance of selling 3.5/10
Todd Astle (NZ$150,000)
On paper, he's New Zealand's third T20 spinner behind Santner and Ish Sodhi, but Glenn Phillips (8.3) bowled more international overs than Astle (5) in 2021.
With plenty of quality domestic spinners for the Indian sides to pick from, Astle's lack of all-round ability as a T20 batter will almost certainly see him go unsold.
Chance of selling 1/10
Martin Guptill (NZ$150,000)
If there's any proof that the IPL auction doesn't follow logic, Guptill has played just 13 games all up, despite being one of the world's best since the early 2010s.
Every aspect of Guptill's record indicates his status as a white-ball great - he's T20 International cricket's leading runscorer, a key cog of the Blackcaps white-ball side and the holder of the highest individual score in a Cricket World Cup (237 not out).
The addition of two new sides could boost Guptill's chances, as will his performances in the Blackcaps' recent 3-0 series defeat to India in late 2021.
On paper, Guptill would be a steal at his base price of $150,000, but Kiwi fans should maybe think twice about getting their hopes up.
Chance of selling 5.5/10
Scott Kuggeleijn (NZ$150,000)
A handy bowling all-rounder, Kuggeleijn already has two IPL stints under his belt, albeit as a replacement player.
At best a wider-squad player for the Blackcaps, don't expect Super Smash form to convince IPL sides to bid for Kuggeleijn.
Chance of selling 2.5/10
Ish Sodhi (NZ$100,000)
Sodhi's chances are also hindered by the abundance of quality tweakers in Indian domestic cricket.
On the other hand, Sodhi's chances are helped by his man-of-the-match display in the Blackcaps' T20 World Cup victory over India and he is a proven performer at international level.
From eight matches across two seasons, Sodhi averages 22.44 with the ball in the IPL, so he's undeniably good.
The bigger issue is whether teams are prepared to give one of their overseas spots to a specialist spinner, like Sodhi.
Chance of selling 5/10
Finn Allen (NZ$100,000)
Called up in 2021 as a replacement player after a stunning breakout season with Wellington, things have quietened down for Allen since.
From his 11 Super Smash games this season, Allen struck 280 runs at 25.45 and passed 50 three times. And while that's not a bad record for a player of his age, it's a shade on his 512 runs at 56.88 in 2020/21.
Still fresh to international cricket, Allen shouldn't bank on one innings of 71 against Bangladesh as a ticket to the big time.
Just 22, this auction might just be too soon for Allen.
Chance of selling 4/10
Daryl Mitchell (NZ$100,000)
Arguably New Zealand's standout at the T20 World Cup, Mitchell's done himself no harm with a string of impressive displays for club and country.
As a player who can bat in the top three and bowl some handy overs - including at the death - Mitchell would be an attractive pick-up for any side, even if he's never played in the IPL before.
The 30-year-old continues to grow as an all-format player in the Blackcaps and is highly regarded within the team.
But a reserve price of $100,000 suggests Mitchell will feature further down the auction, which could mean a lot of teams have filled their overseas spots by the time his name comes out of the hat.
Chance of selling 5.5/10
Tim Seifert (reserve price NZ$100,000)
While not a guaranteed starter for any side, Seifert's close relationship with Kolkata coach Brendon McCullum has seen him experience the IPL before.
McCullum has signed Seifert for both Kolkata and Trinbago Knight Riders in the past, so don't be shocked if he does the same again, if only to help mentor the 27-year-old on his international journey.
Chance of selling 5/10
Neil Wagner (NZ$100,000)
One of the most important players in New Zealand's red-ball history, Wagner has never played an ODI or T20 for the Blackcaps.
Because of that, we can assume IPL sides probably won't be tempted to fork out $100,000 to seal his signature this year.
Past performances against India may see him admired by those at the auction, but they've all come in the wrong form of the game.
Chance of selling 2.5/10
Hamish Bennett (NZ$100,000)
Another solid performer for Wellington at domestic level, Bennett hasn't made the most of his international chances.
He's played very well against India in ODI cricket, but probably not enough to turn any franchises' heads at the auction this year.
Chance of selling 2/10
Blair Tickner (NZ$100,000)
Tickner takes wickets for fun for Central Stags in the Super Smash, but hasn't convinced when he's made the step up to the national side.
Teams will likely take a look at a local talent, rather than a player like Tickner when the chance comes.
Chance of selling 1.5/10
Anaru Kitchen (NZ$100,000)
Even as a capable top-order batter who offers more than handy left-arm spin, it would be optimistic at the very least to expect Kitchen to sell this year.
At 37, Kitchen hasn't played for the Blackcaps since January 2018 and probably won't again, before he retires.
And while he might deserve something for his years of service to the domestic game in New Zealand, it won't be an IPL deal.
Chance of selling 1/10
Cam Fletcher (NZ$40,000)
Arguably the best power hitter going around the New Zealand domestic scene at the moment, Fletcher doesn't have any international experience to attract the IPL sides' attention.
Make no mistake, Fletcher will make the step up to the Blackcaps - indicated by this week's test call-up - with performances at international level a better chance to earn himself a big money deal.
Chance of selling 4/10
Adithya Ashok (NZ$40,000)
The most exciting young player currently on the New Zealand scene, this move is far too early for Ashok.
Simply put, there are hundreds of local Indian teenage spinners already scouted by the 10 franchises, who won't waste an overseas spot on a player that won't play.
The 19-year-old Aucklander impressed with his wicket-taking ability and economy in this year's Super Smash and is another guaranteed to step up to international cricket.
But barring the likes of Hesson, McCullum and Fleming, other IPL coaches probably haven't heard of Ashok, let alone seen him play.
Chance of selling 0.5/10
Henry Shipley (NZ$40,000)
Another to impress in this season's Super Smash, Shipley finished as the competition's leading wicket-taker, with 18 at an average of just over 14.
But one swallow doesn't make a summer and Shipley might just be too raw for teams to take a gamble on, especially with no international experience.
Chance of selling 0.5/10
Alex Powell is a Newshub digital sport producer
