The IPL 2022 mega auction was an epic affair. Ten teams battled it out to outbid and outsmart the other. The eight original teams were participating in the fifth mega auction while the two new ones were contesting for the first time. It is speculated that this mega auction might probably be the last of the mega auctions. Hence it was imperative for teams to build solid squads. Here Is Our IPL 2022 Teams Grading.
IPL 2022 Teams Grading :
We grade the ten IPL teams based on their performance in the auctions:
#10 Gujarat Titans [C] (Average)
They were one of the two new teams along with Lucknow Super Giants in the auction. Their inexperience showed clearly in the auctions. Gujarat remained passive for the large parts of the auction. They had picked Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, and Shubman Gill in the auction. It felt as if they had covered the major three bases pre-auctions itself. They could have built an able squad around them.
But Gujarat were well off from executing their plans. Their batting looks weak in the presence of just Shubman Gill and Jason Roy, where Gill himself is a work in progress. Apart from Hardik Pandya, none of their allrounders are proven performers. Bowling is their stronger suite with acquisitions like Lockie Ferguson and Alzaari Joseph. Their team balance is bound to suffer being so lopsided in choices.
#9 Kolkata Knight Riders [C] (Average)
The team from Kolkata was hugely excited when they managed to rope in Shreyas Iyer and Pat Cummins. KKR bought both the stars at a bargain price. These two purchases were easily their biggest highlight in the auction. But sadly KKR failed to do more than that. They don’t have a world-class keeper, unlike other teams. If they chose to field Sam Billings as their keeper, it will affect their team balance largely.
Their batting wears a thin look especially the Indian contingent. KKR were salvaged owing to some quality overseas picks who are match winners on their own right. But to achieve a better team balance they have to field ageing stars and hence things don’t look too promising for them.
#8 Sunrisers Hyderabad [C+] (Okay)
SRH had their worst season last year wherein they finished last in the points table. They desperately needed a reset heading into the auctions. Rashid Khan’s unwillingness to stay cost them dear. SRH punted heavily on unproven but potential talent in Umran Malik and Abdul Samad. They had a large purse at their disposal. But strangely remained passive on the first day.
They made amends on the second day picking up players who could add muscle to the squad. The additions like Aiden Markram, Rahul Tripathi, Nicholas Pooran boosts their batting order. They could have done more with the allrounders but still have a decent bunch of promising players. SRH again seem to have assembled a gun Indian bowling unit.
#7 Chennai Super Kings [C+] (Okay)
It is hard to believe that the team who had won the championship the previous season will find itself in such a situation. CSK tried its best to retain the XI that featured in the IPL final. They succeeded to a large extent but missed out on three key players: Faf du Plessis, Shardul Thakur, and Josh Hazlewood.
CSK were forced to make few selection calls that lacked conviction. Apart from the signing of Deepak Chahar, there was hardly any inspirational signing. CSK have tried to retain the template that earned them success but they seem to be lacking the personnel who could execute it perfectly.
#6 Mumbai Indians [B] (Good)
The five-time champions had a forgettable mega auction. It is in complete contrast to how MI excels in the auctions. They were hell bent on fetching 3-4 players and this strategy has left them devoid of a solid team. MI’s big ticket purchases were Ishan Kishan, Jofra Archer (2023 onwards), and Tim David.
They spent almost INR 30 crores on these 3 players leaving them with little to play (pay) for others. MI’s team balance sports a lengthy tail and lacks explosive Indian finishers. They will bank on their proven individual stars to overcome the odds.
#5 Royal Challengers Bangalore [B] (Good)
The Bangalore team for the first time in their history seemed to have resisted buying high-profile players. But they made few excellent yet effective buys. The purchase of Faf and Hazlewood augurs well for RCB. Dinesh Karthik brings in truckloads of experience. The re-signing of Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel adds more muscle to the team. RCB could well have added a couple more impactful signings especially to their Indian batting core. Nevertheless they look a side well served in the auctions.
#4 Rajasthan Royals [B+] (Very Good)
The Rajasthan Royals had a forgettable couple of seasons in 2020 and 2021. They needed to reboot their squad to compete. The Royals have managed to do just that in this mega auction. They made their intentions quite clear when they signed up R. Ashwin and later Yuzvendra Chahal.
RR added Prasidh Krishna, Trent Boult to their mix to strengthen their bowling unit. They acquired Shimron Hetmyer to add explosiveness in their middle-order. The prospect of watching Jos Buttler and Hetmyer bat together is amazing. RR has a balanced squad if only they could have added more meat to number 6 and number 7 position.
#3 Punjab Kings [B+] (Very Good)
The Punjab Kings were a team on a mission. They kickstarted the mega auctions with the signing of Shikhar Dhawan. It signalled a wave of change. They soon added Kagiso Rabada to the mix. Punjab strengthened their squad with the hiring of Jonny Bairstow. They made valuable Indian purchases having strong recall value.
There starting overseas four of Bairstow, Rabada, Liam Livingstone, and Odean Smith is arguably the best in the competition. The only spot left for discussion is the captaincy. If Punjab get this right, they might go all the way!
#2 Lucknow Super Giants [A] (Solid)
Unlike the other debutant, Lucknow made an outstanding debut in the IPL Auctions. They seem to have had a clear plan with the focus to fill the team with allrounders. The signings of Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya, Jason Holder in addition to Marcus Stoinis is a step in that direction. These players can single-handedly win you games.
The signing of Avesh Khan along with Mark Wood and Dushmantha Chameera amps up the pace department. Lucknow have a solid top-order too with Quinton De Kock and Evin Lewis entering the fray. If led well, LSG can surely be a team to watch out for, not just this year, but for years to come.
#1 Delhi Capitals [A+] (Excellent)
The fortunes of Delhi Capitals have been on the ascendancy ever since they rechristened themselves. They seem to have taken the big plunge this year in the mega auctions. Delhi made the biggest steal signing David Warner for INR 6.75 crores. Prithvi Shaw and Warner opening is pure box-office. Their top-order is not just fearsome but mighty effective. Delhi can play Mitchell Marsh at 3, Rishabh Pant at 4, and Rovman Powell at 5.
They managed to outbid CSK to acquire Shardul Thakur. His inclusion adds a different dimension to the squad. Pant, the captain will be liberated with the absence of Shreyas Iyer. Warner, a proven IPL captain will lend gravity to young Pant. The future looks shining bright for this franchise!
