An opener’s role is arguably the most vital in a team’s success, especially in the T20 format. There have been numerous examples of how openers have set up games for their teams. The IPL too has been a league that has seen many stars turns from the openers. Here is all about Which Opener Will Get Huge Money In The 2022 Auctions.
Most of the orange cap winners have been openers too. Right from Matthew Hayden [2009] to Ruturaj [2021] Gaikwad, it’s the openers who are the most valuable assets in the league. Teams were forced to release a few of the best openers ahead of the auctions.
Which Opener Will Get Huge Money In The 2022 Auctions
#8 Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan had reinvented himself as a T20I opener in the last couple of seasons. He has married consistency with aggression. Dhawan’s strikes at 140+ averaging over 40 consistently. His experience will be valuable for any side that picks him. He surely has 2-3 years of cricket left in him.
#7 Faf Du Plessis
Faf du Plessis has been one of CSK’s main players over the years. He played a vital part in CSK’s twin wins in 2018 and 2021. Faf in fact was the player of the match in the IPL finals (2021). He is an able leader who led the South African team admirably over a significant period. Faf is still as fit as ever. Teams will not only look at him as an opener but an able leader too. He is sure to fetch a decent amount of money in the auctions.
#6 Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill was touted to be the next KKR captain. He was part of KKR’s leadership group. Gill showcased his tremendous talent during the Australia tour winning accolades from all corners. He has been the cornerstone of KKR’s batting in the last cycle.
Gill accumulated 1417 runs across 4 seasons. His dipping strike rate was a matter of concern but Gill is too good a talent to be judged solely on basis of that parameter. Teams may look at him as future captaincy material.
#5 Quinton De Kock
Quinton De Kock is a powerhouse performer. He was one of MI’s key players during their successive IPL wins [2019-20]. Kock seamlessly switches from playing an anchor to an aggressor. He is a gun wicketkeeper whose entire energy is now focused on limited-overs cricket. Teams will look to invest in him as a long-term keeper-opener option.
#4 Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow was SRH’s standout batsman in the last 3 seasons. His strike rate above 150 and average nearing 40 is a testimony to that fact. Bairstow is one of those rare openers who strikes big from ball one and keeps going at it. Teams will love to have an opener like him. Bairstow may end up getting a heavy deal in the mega auctions.
#3 Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan had a breakthrough IPL season in 2020. He smashed 520 runs at an average of 57.33 with a strike rate of 145. Kishan plundered the most sixes that season. But he had a middling IPL 2021. It was widely expected that Mumbai will retain Kishan in the retentions. But that wasn’t meant to be. He is quite likely to be one of the first picks in the player draft or in the auctions.
#2 David Warner
David Warner is an IPL legend. Warner led SRH to IPL glory almost singlehandedly in 2016. He finished with 848 runs that season, 2nd highest that season. Apart from this, he thrice won the orange cap [2015, 17, and 19]. There is nothing that Warner didn’t do with SRH and for them.
But his sacking came as a big shock for the fans. Warner has already shown his prowess in the T20 World Cup 2021. He was the player of the tournament. Teams will want to ride high on Warner’s resurgence.
#1 KL Rahul
KL Rahul was Punjab’s one-man army. He is easily the most coveted player who was released ahead of the auctions. But things couldn’t work out between the two parties. There is a huge possibility that Rahul might break every possible IPL record heading into the auctions. Teams won’t mind shelling out huge money for a player who is possibly the most happening cricketer at the moment.
