IPL teams that can target Sonny Baker [Source: @cricinfo/x.com]It seems England Cricket has found its next gem in the form of the talented pacer Sonny Baker. The English pacer is fast and furious, and he has certainly made a name for himself with stellar domestic performances.The tearaway pacer has been brilliant in the ongoing Men’s Hundred 2026, having picked up 5 wickets in just three matches, with an economy rate of 8.40. The batters have found it hard to study him, and perhaps, time for Sonny Baker to make a big jump.The IPL is the biggest T20 franchise league in the world, and as their tagline says: IPL is all about “where talent meets opportunity.” Several IPL franchises are looking for a quality overseas pacer, and here is a list of the teams that can target Sonny Baker in the next auction.Why IPL teams can go after Sonny BakerA bustling fast-bowler, Baker is known for his deadly inswinger and the ability to bowl at a rapid pace. Not a lot of IPL teams have foreign pacers who can terrorise the batters with sheer pace.He has been outstanding in the English domestic circuit; one ability that makes Baker special is his death-bowling. He can take wickets in the slog overs, and IPL teams need such bowlers who can deliver the goods from over 16-20.Let us look at the IPL teams that can go after Baker.1) Mumbai IndiansMumbai Indians, the five-time IPL winners, are known to have quality overseas pacers in their ranks. Trent Boult, Mitch McClenaghan, and Lasith Malinga have been some of the best overseas bowlers to have graced the IPL, but in the last few seasons, MI has struggled to find a quality bowler.Boult rejoined the team a couple of seasons ago, but with age catching up, the Kiwi bowler has looked a pale shadow of his former self, and ahead of the mini auction, MI could even release him.In IPL 2026, Boult struggled for wickets as he played just five matches and picked only 2 wickets, with an average of 94, and an economy rate touching 11.63.Mumbai Indians play their IPL home games at the Wankhede Stadium, and the surface there is conducive for the pacers. Baker will get extra bounce from the pitch, and he will get enough movement to trouble the batters. Hence, the franchise should take a punt, and go after the English star.2) Lucknow Super GiantsLucknow Super Giants and their history with injury-prone pacers is known to everyone. Ever since their inception in 2022, the team has struggled to create an injury-free fast-bowling unit, and that has been one of the major reasons why the team has yet to taste success in the IPL.Their Indian bowling core is also injury-prone, with Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan mostly on the sidelines. The Lucknow-based franchise desperately needs someone who can come in and take responsibility for the bowling attack.Also Read: IPL Players Who Can Be Poached By Rival Team Coaches In The Hundred 2026That bowler could be Baker, who has largely stayed injury-free and can come in as a guaranteed starter in the playing XI. Moreover, in IPL 2026, the Ekana wicket was fruitful for the pacers, and if the surface stays the same in IPL 2027, Baker could be more than useful with his sheer pace and deadly inswingers.3) Kolkata Knight RidersKolkata Knight Riders is another franchise that suffered last season due to their pacers being injured. Harshit Rana, their main Indian pacer, was ruled out of the tournament due to an injury, and Matheesha Pathirana suffered an injury during his maiden IPL game for KKR.With Mustafizur Rahman released and Blessing Muzarabani’s future uncertain, KKR certainly needs quality in their overseas bowling department, and Baker could be a smart choice.Last season, apart from Kartik Tyagi, KKR lacked a quality death-overs specialist, and Baker could fulfil that role if the former IPL winners decide to buy him in the mini auction.ConclusionSonny Baker has all the ingredients to become one of the best T20 bowlers, and he already has the ability to bamboozle the batters with pace and swing. Moreover, he is a genuine wicket-taker, a trait that IPL franchises demand.Several sides have injury-prone bowlers, and they need quality overseas pacers. Another good domestic season and Baker would be in high demand, as the pacer could fetch a huge amount in the auction.Also Read: BCCI Reveals Behind The Scenes Of Sudden Axing Of Gautam Gambhir’s Personnel
