IPL 2022 is going to be much bigger than the previous seasons, as IPL governing council has officially that 2 new teams will be joining in the next season. And all the franchises will be keenly watching few players who can do the duty for them. The 3 player retention rule adds more spice to the auctions. The pressure of bringing in a star player in a mega auctions comes with its own perils.
Let’s look at 5 players who will fetch big money in IPL 2022 mega auctions:
#5 T. Natarajan
SRH will be forced to release T. Natarajan ahead of the mega auctions. The orange army will look to retain Rashid Khan, Kane Williamson, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. This will make Natarajan a mega prospect in the auctions.
Teams will surely go after Yorker king, Natarajan. The fact that he is a left-hander makes him an even more rare commodity. He is sure to fetch a big number in the mega auctions.
#4 Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav is one of the most complete T20 batsmen. He can effortlessly play the role of both an anchor and an aggressor. Yadav has been MI’s lynchpin in the last 4 seasons. His rise has been so rapid that he made even the number 3 India spot his own.
Despite Yadav’s rich vein of form, MI may not retain Yadav. They are likely to hold back Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah. Yadav’s ability despite the possibility of a Right-to-Match (RTM) might inflate his price. He will certainly be one to look forward to in the auctions.
#3 David Warner
David Warner is arguably the best IPL batsman. He is one of the rare batsmen who averages more than 40 and strikes at more than 140. SRH axed Warner from captaincy and dropped him from the playing XI.
It clearly implies that Warner is no longer part of SRH’s plans. Teams will be gunning for Warner. As he is someone who can change the complexion of a game in a matter of few overs. It won’t come as a surprise if Warner ends up being the most expensive player in the auctions next year.
#2 Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes is arguably the most valuable allrounder in world cricket. He has previously even won the MVP in IPL in 2017. The fact that Stokes hasn’t fired for RR in all 3 seasons consistently isn’t lost on anyone. RR may need to release Stokes since they are likely to retain the trio of Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, and Jofra Archer.
Stokes will be a hot property in the auctions. He was the most expensive player in two back-to-back auctions in 2017 and 2018. It won’t be a surprise if he wears the most expensive price tag even in 2022.IPL: 5 Indian players who may get huge bids in IPL 2022 mega auction
#1 Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard is on the wrong side of the ’30s. This might be the first auction where MI might be tempted to let go Pollard. In 2018 they retained Pollard with the RTM but it might not be a viable option this time. Teams have seen how Pollard has demolished their attacks over the years. They will surely place an insane bid to acquire his services.
It is surely going to be an interesting auction with prices inflated, mind games played. The main tournament will be played much before IPL 2022 gets underway!