5 OVERSEAS PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN THE IPL 2022 MEGA AUCTION
IPL mega auction day has its thrills and is as big as an IPL match for the keen-eyed cricket fraternity across the globe. It is unpredictable like a match in many ways, as there will be peaks and lows, excitement and collapses, and winners and losers. The Mega auction time will bring the lovers of this game glued to screens, courtesy of the plethora of WOW moments and the anticipation and curiosity of how things would unfurl.
Overseas players have had plenty of attraction over the years in the IPL, especially those who can bring that X factor role into the side. We have seen a few players bagging a vast sum of money through mega auctions and mini-auctions. Here are the five most promising overseas players to keep an eye on in this auction edition;
An INR 1,000 bet on either Ahmedabad and Lucknow to win IPL 2022 returns INR 11,000
1. DAVID WARNER:
The sturdy southpaw does not need any introduction in the IPL arena, being one of the all-time greats in the league. Unfortunately, a subdued performing season resulted in losing his skipper hat. The management also dropped him as a player from Sunrisers, turning a blind eye to his contributions for more than half a decade. With IPL mega auction coming, the dejected Davey is gearing up to join a new franchise. He is likely to get a jumbo bid after his man of the tournament-winning performance in the recently concluded T20 World Cup.
Warner scored whopping 500+ runs for 6 consecutive seasons in the IPL, including 848 runs in the 2016 season, leading the team to the second title for the Hyderabad-based franchise in the process. Teams like RCB, KKR, PBKS will be looking to fill the void of a captain in their teams, and there will be no one better than Warner from the auction pool.
2. JONNY BAIRSTOW:
Bairstow is a dream T20 player for any franchise, bats anywhere in the top 4, keep wickets, and is a gun fielder. Over the years, he has honed his skills and is now a proven white ball player for England. Not to forget the destructive opening duo of Warner -Bairstow for SRH, making them a formidable top unit, and his batting exploits and sheer dominance in several rugged situations for the franchise.
Similar to Warner, Bairstow is likely to get some fierce calls and a tidy sum of money through the auction, especially considering the flexibility he brings into the squad, which gives plenty of options to the captain.
One of his best performances came in the 2019 season, scoring 445 runs in 10 matches, including 2 fifties & 1 hundred at an average of 55.63 and a strike rate of 157.24. In 2021, when Sunrisers were struggling to find the rhythm, he scored 248 runs at an average of 41.33 and strike rate of 142.19 in 7 matches.
3. KAGISO RABADA:
In this format of the game, where it is tuned favorable for the batsman, Rabada has made his mark as a match-winner with the ball. It was unfortunate that the protea pacer was forced to release by Delhi Capitals, to retain his teammate Anrich Nortje, who has been a sensation for Delhi.
Though Rabada has been off-color in a recent while, still, he will have an enormous value in the auction. Also, his performance in the recent Test series is a good sign moving forward, for the franchises looking to invest in KG. With no Mitchell Starc and Jofra Archer in the auction, most franchises will be eyeing him, and their first choice in overseas pacer will be KG only.
Kagiso Rabada won the purple cap in IPL 2020, helping Delhi Capitals to qualify for the final for the first time in IPL history.
Check out the latest IPL2022 odds here
4. JASON HOLDER:
One of the most improved T20 players in recent times, Holder was an all-around asset for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last 2 seasons with both bat and ball. He prized out 14 wickets in IPL 2020 and 16 wickets in IPL 2021, apart from some important knocks when the team was in a spot of bother in the course of the match. The best thing that happens with Holder is that he is well aware of his limitations, and doing all small things right actually made him a better player in this format. He is also in some red hot form for the Windies, clinching the series and bagging the player of tournament v/s England.
With no Ben Stokes & Sam Curran available in the auction, and Marcus Stoinis drafted by Lucknow, the market value will be high for Holder, the all-rounder, in this auction.
5. WANINDU HASARANGA:
The spin bowling sensation from Sri Lanka, the world number 1 ranked T20 bowler, another name of consistency in this format after Rashid Khan these days in the hit or miss format is Wanindu Hasaranga. There has been no stopping Hasaranga in the shorter format with 52 wickets from 33 T20I games at an economy rate of 6.22. He was also the leading wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2021. His batting potential is a bonus, as he played some gritty knocks in the limited-overs at numbers 7 and 8 for Sri Lanka. Since Rashid Khan is already drafted in the Ahmedabad franchise, Hasaranga will be a hot favorite for many teams in the mega auction.
The list of big names from overseas goes on in the mega auction with the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Lockie Ferguson, Mark Wood, Pat Cummins, Liam Livingstone, Adam Zampa, Jason Roy, Tymal Mills, Josh Hazelwood, Shakib Al Hasan, De Kock, Faf Du Plessis, Trent Boult, Imran Tahir, DJ Bravo, Evin Lewis, Steve Smith, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Aiden Markram, and many more as well.
It will be the grandest auction in a while, and the mega auction will kickstart a new journey for many players with a new franchise. With two new teams, there will be new fanbases, and more healthy combative fan wars to be expected. The cricket world is eagerly waiting and will be enthralled to see the turn of events. With all the action, drama, and fun, the mega auction will assure you an exciting two days, and it is to be seen, who will emerge as the dark horse and whom all are going to hit the jackpot. Make sure to keep your schedules clear for the 12th and 13th of February. Happy Auctions.
Complete List of Odds of all IPL Teams
Chennai Super Kings – 4.00
Mumbai Indians – 4.50
Delhi Capitals – 5.50
Royal Challengers Bangalore – 7.00
Kolkata Knight Riders – 7.50
Kings XI Punjab – 9.00
Rajasthan Royals – 9.00
Sunrisers Hyderabad – 11.00
Lucknow – 11.00
Ahmedabad – 11.00
