The IPL 2022 auction saw a total of 204 cricketers find buyers. While some went for hefty sums, a few others can definitely be considered bargain buys. Here’s a look at the some of the best bargains from the two-day auction.
David Warner
Base price: INR 2 Cr
Sold for: INR 6.25 Cr to Delhi Capitals
While he more than tripled his base price, this looks a fine deal considering Warner’s record in the IPL. The Australia left-hander has made 5,528 runs, the most in the tournament by an overseas cricketer, at an average above 40 and strike rate of 140. While he fell out favour during the final days of his Sunrisers Hyderabad career, Warner was the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup last year, helping Australia to their maiden title. Warner fetched a lower price than batters such as Shimron Hetmyer, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Rana and Rahul Tripathi.
Alex Hales
Base price: INR 1.50 Cr
Sold for: INR 1.50 Cr to Kolkata Knight Riders
The English opener was bought by last year’s finalists in the accelerated auction and could be the answer to their opening woes. Though Venkatesh Iyer fired on all cylinders in 2021, Shubman Gill enjoyed less success and will turn out for Gujarat Titans in the upcoming season. Hales brings with him a T20 strike rate of 146.35 and could form a formidable opening pair with Iyer at the top of the order. His consistency and his experience of playing in similar conditions in the Pakistan Super League goes in his favour.
Devon Conway
Base price: INR 1 Cr
Sold for: INR 1 Cr to Chennai Super Kings
The New Zealand batter has had a dream start to his international career, including in T20Is, where he averages 50.16 after 20 games. He has made 602 runs at a strike rate of 139.35 with a high score of 99*and now comes the moment to make a name for himself in the franchise world too.
Sarfaraz Khan
Base price: INR 20 Lakhs
Sold for: INR 20 Lakhs to Delhi Capitals
The 24-year-old’s stocks has drastically fallen in the IPL — from being one of the players RCB retained in 2018, Sarfaraz was sold at his base price four years later. However, he remains a domestic force and was the star in the Ranji Trophy just couple of years ago, when he scored 928 runs in nine innings, including a triple ton and a double hundred. The cricketer has oodles of talent, and a long run in an IPL team could help him unleash his true potential.
Sam Billings
Base price: INR 2 Cr
Sold for: INR 2 Cr to Kolkata Knight Riders
Yet another smart buy from KKR. Sam Billings has played 215 T20 matches, scoring over 4,000 runs at a strike rate of 131.64. The wicketkeeper can bat in the middle order and can also open the innings, which allows the side some freedom to play around with their XI.
Rishi Dhawan
Base price: INR 50 Lakhs
Sold for: INR 55 Lakhs to Punjab Kings
Considering the paucity of Indian seaming all-rounders, Dhawan, at INR 55 Lakhs, seems a fine buy. The cricketer was in excellent form in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy where he shone with both bat and ball. In the 20-over tournament, he picked up 14 wickets in six games and also struck at over 127 with the bat, and improved his showing in the VHT. Playing for Himachal Pradesh, Dhawan returned a batting average of 76.33, making 458 runs in eight games, and also picked up 17 wickets.
Krishnappa Gowtham
Base Price: INR 50 Lakhs
Sold for: INR 90 Lakhs to Lucknow Super Giants
Gowtham was one of the costliest buys in the IPL auction last year, going for INR 9.2 Cr. He was hardly given any game time, which affected his price this year. However, Gowtham is a shrewd bowler, who can be counted upon to get important wickets in the middle overs and can also clear the boundary ropes a long way. He has a T20 batting strike rate of over 156, and if he gets going, he could prove to be a serious match-winner.
Umesh Yadav
Base price: INR 2 Cr
Sold for: INR 2 Cr to Kolkata Knight Riders
There was a huge demand for Indian quicks in the auction, which can be seen from the fact that uncapped player Shivam Mavi went for more than INR 7 Cr. Umesh, who has plenty of experience, was bought by KKR at his base price, and though the quick can be expensive at the death on occasions, he can also be extremely wily with the new ball. If KKR utilise him well through the different phases, Umesh, with his experience, could prove to be a shrewd acquisition.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Base price: INR 2 Cr
Sold for: INR 6.5 Cr to Rajasthan Royals
The spinner became the face of RCB over the years for his ability to keep things tight on the flat track at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, and while an established force for India, he’s been picked up at a cheaper price than several uncapped players.
Lungi Ngidi
Base price: INR 50 Lakhs
Sold for: INR 50 Lakhs to Delhi Capitals
Ngidi can be extremely accurate on his day, and his pace can trouble the best of batters. He has an economy rate of 7.96 in T20s, and expect him to end as Delhi’s trump card this season.
T Natarajan
Base price: INR 1 Cr
Sold for: INR 4 Cr to Sunrisers Hyderabad
Natarajan’s recent struggles with injuries could have hampered his eventual price, but at INR 4 Cr, Natarajan remains a fine buy considering the inflated prices that other teams shelled out for Indian quicks. The left-armer impressed with his accurate bowling in IPL 2020, and a return to full fitness should make him a serious threat.
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