5 Indian players who could launch a bidding war

While overseas stars have historically attracted more attention, Indian players may just be the hotter of the two properties in IPL 2022’s mega-auction.

Indian players – capped and uncapped – are likely to play in the bidding war in Bengaluru as teams focus on a new captain and look to fill the void allowing them to cover their bases.

The IPL 2022 Big Auction will be a two-day event on February 12th and 13th, where all ten IPL teams will have the opportunity to create or rebuild their squads with their remaining wallets.

With reservations and pre-auction draft signings in place, the team’s auction budget will get crowded, just in case. Lucknow and Ahmedabad.

However, that shouldn’t mean a no-action IPL 2022 mega-auction for Indian cricketers, who are expected to fetch big bucks in these two days.

Also read – IPL 2022 Retention: Full list of all players retained and released by existing 8 teams

Five likely strongest Indian bid candidates at IPL 2022 mega auction

1. Shreyas Iyer

With reports that he has been identified as the captain’s replacement by as many as four teams, Ayer could claim his biggest jackpot at the IPL 2022 Super Auction. The Indian middle batsman parted ways with Delhi Capitals (DC) at the end of IPL 2021.

He was expected to be acquired by one of the two new IPL franchises, but once that didn’t materialize, he decided to go to the auction. Ayre played 87 IPL games in his career, scoring 2,375 points. He’s a solid mid-level anchor with a solid record as a captain. Iyer took DC to the finals of the IPL 2020, having previously overseen their successful promotion to the IPL 2019 playoffs.

2. Isan Kisan

There is widespread speculation that former Mumbai Indians (MI) cricketer Kishan is seen as the main pre-auction signing candidate. But with neither Lucknow nor Ahmedabad signing the goalkeeper batsman, Kishan is now a very attractive commodity at auction. The explosive left-handed hitter comes as a pack for someone who should spark a major bidding war.

Kishan can hit the ball in the top, middle, and also provide wicketkeeper duties for his side. At his best, he would break out opponents’ offense, which was evident through a breakthrough IPL 2020, where he amassed 516 runs with an average strike rate of 57.33 and 145.76 in 14 matches.

3. Youzvindra Chahal

After a poor first half of IPL 2021, Chahal turned his fortunes around at the Emirates, taking 14 wickets in his eight games with an economy of 6.13. That’s when Chahal is at his best, able to slice the ball at the wicket while maintaining control of the run to score.

Unfortunately for him, he still lost to other RCB candidates and was not signed by two new teams. But that didn’t make him a hot property at the IPL 2022 super auction.

The veteran Leggie has picked 139 IPL wickets with an economy of 7.58 and is expected to attract multiple bidders and find a prime contract in the upcoming auction.

4. Hashar Patel

Harshal Patel enjoyed a breakthrough IPL season with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The right-arm receiver, who has a jaw-dropping 32 wickets in 15 games, has been dubbed the “Purple Patel” by fans because he has the tag of the tournament’s highest wicket.

Harshal’s improved death bowling performance also earned him his first T20I call-up, playing for India through the home series against New Zealand.

But despite his many wickets, the Haryana cricketer lost out to other RCB candidates. Nonetheless, Harshal could now make big bucks at the upcoming auction and continue to show his improved range as a T20 bowler.

5. Ravi Chandran Ashwin

Delhi Capitals (DC) is also unreserved, with spin scientist Ashwin identified as one of the potential hot Indian candidates in the upcoming auction. Ashwin’s lackluster performances in IPL 2021 in India and the UAE should not stop us from focusing on his stellar performances in league history.

Ashwin has taken 145 wickets with an economy of 6.91 in his illustrious IPL career. He took 15 wickets per round with 7.27 in IPL 2019 and 13 wickets per round in IPL 2020 with 7.66.

Ashwin’s return to India’s T20I installation also bodes well for his auction opportunities. Recognizing that the skilled bowler will be more forced to fine-tune his T20 game, the franchise will likely go the extra mile for him at auction.