IPL Auction 2022: Top 10 Highlights of Day 1 of Auction – Day 1 of the IPL 2022 auction was packed with enthralling action as all ten franchises tried their best to accumulate a formidable bunch of players who can help them win the title. Follow live updates on InsideSport.IN.
IPL Auction 2022: Top 10 Highlights of Day 1 of Auction – Kishan breaks bank, pacers earn big and Raina goes unsold
There were a few expected big-money signings, while like every auction, we also witnessed some unexpected deals. A total of 74 players were sold as the franchises now have assembled their core and will look to fine-tune their team on Day 2,
Let us have a look at the top 10 highlights from Day 1 of the IPL 2022 Auction:
1. Mumbai Indians break the bank for Ishan Kishan
Mumbai Indians were quiet at the auction table and decided not to go all guns blazing for their two key players in Quinton de Kock and Trent Boult. However, when they eventually joined the party, they went gung-ho. The five-time champions signed Ishan Kishan, a player who has played many match-winning knocks in the blue shirt, for INR 15.25 crore.
IPL Auction 2022: Top 10 Highlights of Day 1 of Auction – Kishan breaks bank, pacers earn big and Raina goes unsold
2. Chennai Super Kings reunite ties with Deepak Chahar
Day 1 of IPL 2022 auction saw many teams reuniting ties with former stars, but perhaps, none were as committed to the cause as Chennai Super Kings. The reigning champions signed Deepak Chahar for INR 14 crore.
3. Dad Gang back at CSK
Besides Chahar, Chennai Super Kings signed a few more former players in Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu and Dwayne Bravo. While they were always likely to bid for their former players, it remains to be seen how these players will perform at the dusk of their cricketing careers.
4. KKR, RCB, PBKS find possible captains
Prior to the auction, three teams were clearly desperate for a new captain – Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings. After Day 1, it seems that all three teams have got that area sorted. Kolkata have bought Shreyas Iyer who had led Delhi Capitals previously, while Punjab Kings have bought the former Sunrisers Hyderabad captain, Shikhar Dhawan. As for RCB, it seems that they are very likely to hand captaincy duties to the former skipper of South Africa, Faf du Plessis.
5. Can old foes be new friends?
Besides the usual big stories, this auction has also presented us with two unique situations, as two pairs of old foes will be seen playing for the same team. Ravichandran Ashwin was signed by Rajasthan Royals and will share the dressing room with Jos Buttler – the same batter he mankaded in this very competition. On the other hand, two Baroda players in Deepak Hooda and Krunal Pandya, who were involved in a widely-reported rift that led to Hooda withdrawing his name from the team, will be seen playing together for the Lucknow Super Giants.
IPL Auction 2022: Top 10 Highlights of Day 1 of Auction – Kishan breaks bank, pacers earn big and Raina goes unsold
6. Pacers in huge demand, spinners go for cheap
As was the case in the last auction, pacers were in high demand this time around as well. Besides Chahar, the likes of Shardul Thakur, Harshal Patel and Kagiso Rabada all went for big money. Delhi Capitals acquired the services of Lord Thakur for INR INR 10.75 crore, while for the same amount, Royal Challengers Bangalore signed Harshal Patel. Kagiso Rabada was roped in by Punjab Kings for INR 9.25 crore, whereas Rajasthan spent INR 10 crore on Prasidh Krishna.
7. Mr IPL goes unsold alongside a few superstars
Quite a few well-known players, who previously were among the top players in this competition, were unsold on Day 1. Among the most notable names, Mr IPL Suresh Raina failed to attract any bid, whereas former Rising Pune Supergiant skipper Steve Smith also went unsold. Kolkata’s Shakib Al Hasan and Rajasthan’s David Miller also failed to attract bids.
8. Uncapped players bag mega-money deals
Not only the capped superstars, but some uncapped promising talents made a fortune on Day 1 as well. Shahrukh Khan was re-signed by Punjab Kings for INR 9 crore, while for the same price, Gujarat Lions got their hands on Rahul Tewatia. Sunrisers Hyderabad spent INR 8.50 crore on Rahul Tripathi, whereas Avesh Khan was signed for INR 10 crore by Lucknow Super Giants.
Also Read: IPL 2022 Auction Live: Desperate Mumbai Indians break BANK for Ishan Kishan,…
9. The surprising millionaires
The above-mentioned players were all likely to fetch lucrative contracts, but a few deals have left everyone scratching their heads, trying to comprehend the logic. West Indian wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran had a poor IPL 2021 for PBKS, but Sunrisers Hyderabad spent INR 10.75 crore on him, while RCB spent as much on Wanindu Hasaranga despite his inexperience in this competition.
10. Auctioneer Hugh Edmeades’ scary fall
For all the enthralling action that the IPL 2022 auction produced, there was also an unfortunate incident. During the bidding war for Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, auctioneer Hugh Edmeades collapsed on the ground. Thankfully, it was later reported that he is doing well and postural hypotension was the reason behind his fall. While he was advised to take rest, Charu Sharma did a decent job in his role as a make-shift auctioneer.
