“Bidding War for Overseas Stars” – IPL Mega Auction 2022 Overview

The recipe for “SUCCESS” is half-cooked in the IPL auction table itself before it is plated in the fields. It has to be accepted that overseas players are the ones who add the aroma to that dish.

This IPL auction may miss its favourite overseas ABC, also this is the first IPL Auction without these three big names.

AB de Villiers, Ben Stokes and Chris Gayle, undoubted T20 champions. But 220 overseas players are already ready to go under the hammer to pick out a pile of pennies. The cards were shuffled already for mega auction. Let us play “mix and match” to see which overseas player will reach which hands and what are the possibilities.

David Warner:

As an attacking opener a picture-perfect captain material, David Warner is one of the best players to go for any team. He hit 500+ runs for 6 consecutive times in IPL and also gifted a cup to SRH. Just one offseason had made SRH took his name out of their squad, but this destroyer made them regret it with his recent T20 world cup performance. RCB can check all its boxes if it is ready to invest in David Warner. Even KKR and KXIP may also go for him, not just because they require a captain. KXIP needs someone to fill up the shoes of KL Rahul as an opener. KKR has been struggling to find a proper opener since the exit of Gambhir and they played with more than 6 combinations of openers in the last few seasons. So both the teams may give a warm welcome to Warner. 

Quinton de Kock:

A wicket-keeper, a terrific gun opener who can act as the X factor for any team, to hunt their goals. New teams, Ahmedabad or Lucknow may go for Quinton, to have a better batter to lay a strong basement to their core team. But don’t get surprised, if KXIP makes it as a smart move to make him, their opener and wicket-keeper to compensate KL Rahul’s exit, as he can turn the tables for them. de Kock and Mayank can perfectly fit into openers slots with their left, right combination.

Kagiso Rabada:

Unfortunately, DC had to release one of its best bowlers, Rabada just to keep its hold on Nortje. CSK’s treasure hunt for an overseas pace bowler may take them to Rabada. Even last time CSK had tried to get him but failed, so this time, they may not miss him. KKR which have been one of the teams with the best bowling attack may also go for Rabada, to go by their threatening bowling strategy. But, if DC will remember the purple cap winner of the 2020 season, it may not decide to leave him in choice.

Faf du Plessis:

Most probably, CSK may like to get back its favourite opener, who did magic for them along with Gaikwad, in the previous season, to lift the trophy. But, the age factor has to be considered as a negative point against him, so CSK will not be interested in him if they have to spend more from their purse. But, his IPL career’s best average of 45.21 came in the last season and that talks voluminously about him. His terrific performance in the recent Bangladesh Premier League is also worth mentioning. More than that, as a great fielder, he adds more power to his side. So, anyone of the two new teams may go for him.

Pat Cummins:

Pat Cummins did not play to the full of his ability, in IPL, for KKR except in very few matches. As a fast-bowling all-rounder, he can be helpful, to get some quick runs at the lower order. His half-century against CSK, in 2020, in juz 23 balls and that expensive 30 runs over against Sam Curran explains what a dangerous batsman he is, once he is inset with the rhythm. Cummins can still stir the ripples in the auction and get a high price for himself.

Jonny Bairstow:

A very big plus point of Bairstow is the flexibility he brings to the team as he can bat at anywhere in the top 4 positions and he is also a wicket-keeper which makes him an asset for any team. RCB which is badly missing Mr 360° can try to fill his place with Bairstow. Mumbai also may look after him to fill the opener slot which is vacant after the release of De-kock. Bairstow will spark the war for him, in the upcoming auction, among these teams. As a pure match-winner, his consistency can act as the key to bid for him, for sure. 

Jason Holder:

Holder is a player who must be held by any team. He can bowl, he can be a dangerous finisher and he can lead and place the champion crown on the team too. His pace and bounce can be the winning combinations. He is a full packed performer. Again, the teams which require a captain can go for Holder, but the problem is his brand value is quite high as he set a great standard for himself. So the team which is choosing him should be ready to bid more on him. KXIP, awaiting with 72 crores in a purse may go for Holder. But, there is a rumour which goes around in the air saying, RCB is ready to get him at any cost. So the bidding war is going to be at its peak for Holder.

Mitchell Marsh: 

One of the outstanding performers and the man of the match winner of 2021, T20 World Cup final, Mitchell Marsh had performed, both with his bat and the ball. He is at the prime time of his career. The fewer number of all-rounders in the upcoming auction raises the price value of Marsh. His attacking batting and 6 hitting ability are his strengths. DC may look at him as the replacement of their ex-player, Stoinis.

Wanindu Hasaranga:

As No 1 T20 Bowler, Hasaranga can be a great addition to any side. His inaugural season with RCB did not go well and he did not get enough chances to create an impact. This time, Hasaranga can be expected to get a spot in SRH, with Muralitharan available to groom him. Even RR may like to get him into their camp, to strengthen their spin squad which was spinning around Ryan Parag and Rahul Tewatia earlier. 

Nicholas Pooran: 

Pooran can be looked up as a batsman to boost up the middle order. His wicket-keeping ability comes as an extra bonanza, and that may make him special. Even MI or KKR can attract him to their squad, to bring some rigidity to the middle order. RCB also can look into him as a replacement for AB de Villiers and he can strike hard from the ball one.

Trent Boult: 

Boult – Bumrah duo had showered Mumbai Indians with the victories. As a new ball bowler and a perfect fast-bowler prepared in T20 mould, Boult can give a horrific experience to the batsman with his swing and Yorkers. His ability to keep things under the control in the power play, make him a star bowler. Before becoming a lethal weapon for MI, Boult had played in the jersey of three different teams. Even this time, SRH, KKR, KXIP or RR may throw the net on him to grab him as their mainstream pace bowler. 

Dwayne Bravo: 

One of the overseas players, who had never missed an IPL season, right from 2008 is Bravo. As an exceptional all-rounder, he can strengthen the batting lineup along with his outstanding bowling capability. CSK would like to see him in yellow colours but at the same time, even Rajasthan Royals may also have an idea of taking him in Chris Morris’ position. But just like Faf du Plessis, the age factor put his selection along with the question mark.

Dewald Brevis: 

‘Baby AB’, Dewald Brevis is going to be the centre of attraction to grab the attention, in this auction. His stunning 506 runs, at an average of 84.33, in the recent U19 WC, make him a special player to watch out for by all the teams. Whether he will make it into his final playing 11 or not is immaterial, every team out of 10, will love to add him into their team, as a long term investment. As they have to wait for the next mega auction, for years together, Dewald Brevis can be added and groomed well to harvest some benefits, in the future. So definitely, Dewald is going to raise the temperature of the auction floor. 

Other than these players, Steve Smith, Aiden Markram, Shakib-Al-Hassan, Liam Livingstone, Lockie Ferguson can also be valuable additions to any team. Odean Smith, Marco Jensen, Shimron Hetmyer, Charith Asalanka, Romario Shepherd can also be expected to go for a greater bid.

This is just a rough idea, and as we all know IPL auction is always associated with surprises and disappointments. This IPL also cannot be an exception for it. Faster your seat belt folks, you may experience minor to major turbulence, throughout the auction!