IPL 2022 auction: 5 pacers who could start bidding war
The much-talked-about 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) players' mega auction will get underway on Saturday in Bengaluru. The 2022 auction is a two-day affair. Over the years, the seam bowlers have started several bidding wars on the auction table and this time it should not be any different as many world-class pacers are set to go under the hammer. Here are five such pacers.
Why does this story matter?
Ahead of IPL 2022, a total of 590 cricketers will go under the hammer. Overall, 370 Indians and 220 foreign players will try their luck in the 2022 auction. The auction list also contains several world-class seamers in Mohammed Shami, Pat Cummins, Trent Boult, Harshal Patel and Kagiso Rabada. All these players are proven performers in the tournament and could attract huge bids.
Mohammed Shami has a base price of Rs. 2 crore
After not getting retained by Punjab Kings (PBKS), ace Indian seamer Mohammed Shami registered himself for the auction for a base price of Rs. 2 crore. He claimed 19 wickets in IPL 2021 in 14 games at an impressive average of 20.78. Overall, he has registered 79 wickets in the tournament in 77 games at 30.41. Shami has maintained an economy rate of 8.63.
Kiwi pacer Trent Boult will be in demand
Trent Boult did well for Mumbai Indians of late before being released by the franchise. Boult finished IPL 2021 with 13 wickets in his kitty from 14 games. Prior to last season, he had taken 25 wickets in IPL 2020. Overall, the left-arm pacer has bagged 76 wickets in 62 games at 26.09. Boult has registered himself under Rs. 2 crore bracket.
2021 Purple Cap winner Harshal could break the banks
Harshal Patel was the best bowler during IPL 2021. He took 32 wickets in 15 games at 14.34. However, despite his brilliance, Royal Challengers Bangalore decided to release him to keep Mohammed Siraj in the squad. And, going by his performance last season, even a recording-breaking bid should not come as a surprise. Overall, he has picked up 78 wickets in 63 games.
Rabada has been consistent over the years
Kagiso Rabada was a surprise release from Delhi Capitals and is expected to fetch a huge sum at the auction. Rabada finished the IPL 2021 season with 15 wickets under his belt. Prior to that, he had amassed 30 and 25 wickets each. He has picked up 76 wickets in the marquee event at an impressive average of 20.53 in 50 games.
Will Cummins bag another mega deal?
Pat Cummins fetched a huge sum of Rs. 15.50 crore in the IPL 2020 auction. He represented KKR over the last two seasons and was released ahead of IPL 2022. He has picked up 38 wickets in 37 IPL games at 30.13. He has also struck two half-centuries as well. Cummins hasn't quite hit the right chords but he is still a star attraction.
