The much-anticipated IPL Auction did not disappoint, with some serious money being lavished on several players. Ishan Kishan went back to Mumbai Indians after being relieved before the auction and he will be smiling all the way to the bank as the franchise would brook no opposition in buying the wicketkeeper-batsman back for Rs 15.25 crore, the biggest buy of the day.e.
Chennai Super Kings too were in action, when they went all out to grab the medium-pacer all-rounder Deepak Chahar for Rs 14 crore. Another big purchase was Shreyas Iyer, who went to Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 12.25 crore. Iyer could well lead KKR, who have been painfully short of solid leaders.
Also, Avesh Khan became the most expensive uncapped player in the history of IPL after being picked by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 10 crore.
Related Content: Sit back, enjoy as the games begin
Several other players too got massive purses, some quite justified, while some were mystifying.
Four players went for Rs 10.75 crore each – Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga (both Royal Challengers Bangalore), Nicholas Pooran (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Shardul Thakur (Delhi Capitals). While Patel and Thakur were expected to get good deals, though not necessarily this much, Pooran himself would be a little surprised at how much he went for.
The West Indian had a horrendous IPL 2021 and hasn’t been much better in national colours also, so SRH’s though process is a little mystifying. Hasaranga too would be flattered with his purse, though, in all fairness, the Sri Lankan would be more deserving thant several others at that spot.
Also getting big purse of Rs 8.50 crore paid by Rajasthan Royals for Shemron Hetmeyer of the West Indies, who frankly isn’t that good or consistent.
On the flip side, David Warner was sold to DC for a very modest Rs 6.25 crore. The Australian is one of the best in the business and one bad season doesn’t merit such a drop. But the left-hander would have a thing or two to prove.
Prasidh Krishna went to Rajasthan Royals for Rs 10 crore while Gujarat Titans bought New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson for the same amount.
The Rs 9 crore list includes Rahul Tewatia (Gujarat Titans) and Shahrukh Khan, who flew from his base price of 40 lakh to that figure for Punjab Kings.
Among the franchises, newcomers Lucknow Super Giants showed quite a lot of maturity in their buys. Not one of their purchases touched the 10-crore mark, but they snared Jason Holder (8.75 crore), Krunal Pandya (8.25 crore), Mark Wood (7.50 crore) and Quinton de Kock (6.75 crore).
Delhi Capitals also got some good deals but most of the other franchises will have to do a lot of work on the second day of the IPL Auction 2022, on Sunday.
Also Read: Where to watch IPL Auction 2022
