While the IPL 2021 is slated to finish in September-October, preparations for the 2022 edition are well on and will be revealed at a later date. According to sources, the 2019 IPL edition will be all-new, with the addition of two new teams who will begin their journey in December during a major IPL auction.
In many ways, the huge IPL auction will be based on a small number of retentions, which will eventually form a summit of elite players who will be auctioned off again. Now, especially when it comes to bowling, IPL teams are widely renowned for their proclivity for obtaining high-quality bowling at exorbitant costs, so let’s have a look at-
1. Mitchel Starc
Every year, just before the mega auction, there’s a lot of talk about Mitchell Starc returning to the IPL. The elite bowler, though, frequently runs out of gas after finishing his tough national duty because the Australian cricket season ends just before the IPL begins. However, given the pacer’s current struggles with T20 bowling, the cricketer may want to hone his talents in T20 cricket’s biggest spectacle. And, God forbid, if Mitchell Starc continues to leak runs at an economy of over 9 in the T20 World Cup, as he has in recent games, there’s a good chance he’ll participate in the 2022 IPL to prepare for the 2022 World T20, which will be held at his house.
As a result, with so many reasons to shine in the shortest format again, Starc might spark a bidding war among many IPL teams in the blockbuster IPL auction. His total package of being an express pacer who can bowl at the death and also be a major scalper at the outset gives him a wonderful prospect for most teams seeking for a pro outstanding pacer. Starc can become their key pace bowler, especially for clubs like PBKS and the two new entrants, since only the Punjab franchise maintains solid retention for their pace bowling.
Overall, because the mega auction will be a fresh team-building event for all other teams, organisations who want to fill their squads with strong overseas pacers will look to sign Mitchell Starc aggressively. As a result, the Australian pacer might land a lucrative contract, causing a financial headache for many IPL franchises.
2. Anrich Nortje
Anrich Nortje proved to be a fantastic asset for DC in the IPL 2020. In the previous season, the pacer had dislodged some of the game’s best batsmen, scooping up 22 wickets in 16 games. In a broader sense, his first IPL season aided him in establishing himself in the white-ball setup in South Africa.
Nortje, on the other hand, appears to be one of the players who will go under the hammer in the forthcoming super auction, with players like Rishabh Pant, Kagiso Rabada, and Shreyas Iyer being the top picks for DC’s retention in the 2022 IPL. The South African speedster is an express pace machine with an unnerving bouncer that can constantly send speed guns past 150kph.
Nortje can also be efficient in sub-continental conditions, with his cunning variations eventually transforming him into a true wicket-taking pacer. Any franchise would want to sign Nortje as their main overseas bowler because he already has a good IPL record and is a hounding scalper.
Now, teams like MI and DC, in particular, would make strong bids, as both enjoy having a fine set of pacers at their training facility. Even a squad like PBKS or CSK, who will not be making any international pacer-related retentions, could show genuine interest. Overall, Nortje’s sheer bulldoze package might be a great fit for any IPL squad, and could spark a bidding war amongst multiple franchises.
3. T Natrajan
T Natarajan’s year 2020 has turned out to be a life-changing event. Following a good IPL season, the left-arm bowler earned his white-ball debut for Team India and has now been confirmed for the 2021 World T20 roster. In fact, some analysts believe he is a great fit for Jasprit Bumrah, who may bowl with him in the death during the ICC event. As a result of the pacer’s aggressive ascent up the ladder, his worth appears to be increasing.
Natarajan will become available for the big auction once SRH keeps Warner/Williamson, Rashid Khan, and Bhuvneshawar Kumar as their major retention picks. Now, as a left-arm seam prospect who is also well-liked by local T20 specialists, he will undoubtedly draw the majority of the bidders’ attention at the auction table, making him one of the most enticing bets of the huge day.
Given his status as a proven Indian pacer, most clubs would jump at the chance to hire him and make him one of their most valuable assets, regardless of the price. Furthermore, with prominent Indian white-pacers only recently entering the auction mix, Natarajan will almost certainly land a lucrative IPL deal.
4. Trent Boult
Trent Boult’s IPL career has been revolutionised by his move from the DC franchise to the MI team. By regularly scalping wickets at the top, the Kiwi speedster has established himself as MI’s main international pace bowler. Last year in the IPL 2020, Boult was a crucial element in MI’s thrashing victory, as the pacer claimed 25 incredible wickets in 15 games.
However, with eminent retentions such as Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Kieron Pollard, and Hardik Pandya, Boult would be forced to join the huge auction pool. Now, if this Kiwi pacer shows up at the auction table, franchises will go crazy to get him for whatever amount the scenario requires. Perhaps, now that Boult is also one of the greatest overseas pacers in the IPL, some teams will go all out to secure his legendary services.
Perhaps, if an RTM card is available, MI management will use it on Trent Boult regardless of his eventual price. Overall, whether or not Trent Boult is grabbed by any IPL team in 2022, he will undoubtedly sign a massive IPL contract.
5. Chris Morris
Chris Morris, who is already the most expensive player in the IPL, could return to the auction table next year. Morris has 14 scalps in seven IPL games thus far for his current squad. In IPL 2021, the South African batted with an amazing strike rate of 154.83, even when whacking.
However, with the RR team already brimming with eminent overseas alternatives, players like Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Sanju Samson, and Ben Stokes will almost certainly be retained. Morris will undoubtedly command a lot of demand for his intriguing proposition if he makes another jaunty visit. Being able to bowl at all stages of the game, as well as being a dashing striker, makes him a unique individual who commands a higher price. And, with few of his peers as skilled as Morris, the South African easily outperforms his peers in securing a lucrative contract.
Morris can be an appealing buy for teams like CSK, KKR, and RR, as these organisations tend to pack their lineups with all-rounders. Total, with teams trying to lengthen their overall batting lineups, Morris could be a good investment for them as well.
6. Ravi Chandran Ashwin
Ravi Ashwin appears to be one of the elusive off-spinners who is still going strong in the shortest format in an era when leg-spinners are in high demand. The batsman has not only resurrected his career as an aggressive off-spinner, but he is also one of the IPL’s most cost-effective spinners. Ashwin has also mastered bowling at all stages of the game by building a realm of variations.
Now that the DC team is considering players like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Kagiso Rabada as prospective primary retentions, Ashwin’s presence at the 2022 mega auction is highly likely. The veteran will make the rounds at the auction table, and practically every IPL team will be eager to sign him simply because he is a premier spin bowler. In fact, the two new IPL teams may not only prefer Ashwin as their star spinner, but they may also consider him for captaincy.
Because of the spin-friendly circumstances, even a team like CSK might go the extra mile to win the master. Overall, Ravi Ashwin will attend a blockbuster auction for the first time in a long time, with the expectation of landing a lucrative IPL deal.
7. Lockie Ferguson
Despite the fact that Lockie Ferguson is yet to have a successful IPL season, he is already one of the top express pacers in the game. Ferguson is a very feasible option in T20 cricket, especially with a package that includes some significant pace, some clever variations, and a devastating yorker who also enjoys being among the wickets.
Now, a team like KKR, which has scarcely utilised the pacer, will almost certainly dump the NZ bowler, putting him on the block for the mega auction. Ferguson’s whole eventful package may appeal to all IPL clubs in general, as possessing an express pacer will undoubtedly become vital in building a good IPL roster. Especially with clubs like PBKS in desperate need of excellent pacers, this spearhead will undoubtedly go long.
Other teams, like as DC and MI, may be interested in acquiring him as a supplementary ace pacer, especially if they are unable to reclaim their former pacers at fair costs. Overall, the New Zealand player will be able to land an IPL contract this time, which will assist him advance in the IPL.
8. Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur has been a prolific wicket-taker for Team India over the last year or two, and has established himself as a prominent pacer. Thakur has made every effort to fight other front-line seamers for a spot in India’s white-ball XI, regardless of the number of opportunities he has had. That is why, in T20Is, Thakur has ascended at the top by claiming the most wickets for Team India in 2020.
When it comes to playing for CSK, the cricketer may not be retained because older players such as Raina, Jadeja, and others may be ahead of him in the pecking order. As a result, with a strong chance of appearing in the next IPL auction, the bowler may be certain of landing a lucrative IPL deal that will radically transform his IPL career. In addition, his status as a top India pacer automatically entitles him to a higher fee, as franchisees must ensure that their rosters contain as many local players as possible.
Overall, most organisations will be trying to sign Thakur as an all-rounder because he is rarely a pacer who can bat exceptionally well. As a result, given the rarity of Indian all-rounders, Thakur’s next IPL contract will almost certainly demand exclusivity.
9. Harshal Patel
Not only for Harshal Patel, but for the entire RCB franchise, the IPL 2021 has been a big revelation. His meteoric ascent has not only alleviated RCB’s death bowling problems, but has also provided skipper Kohli with a multitude of bowling options. That is why, by consistently attacking as a cohesive bowling unit, Harshal has astonishingly scalped 17 wickets, earning him the current purple cap.
Despite some outstanding performances, Harshal’s future with the team may be in doubt, as players such as skipper Kohli, ABD, Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj may be moving ahead in the pecking order for possible retention. As a result, the bowler will almost probably make it through the IPL auction, which might lead to a lucrative IPL deal. All IPL clubs will go crazy to obtain him, especially as a death-over specialist, because no team wants to be involved in any death bowling conundrums in the next edition.
Perhaps Harshal’s ability to even tonk the ball might entice those franchises that enjoy casting a variety of all-rounders. As a result, with some teams hoping to sign Harshal with a longer vision, the bowler will undoubtedly earn some extra cash for his impressive performances in the ongoing IPL.
10. Ravi Bishnoi
Among the numerous promising young uncapped bowlers, Ravi Bishnoi appears to have a unique enthusiasm that has piqued the interest of the IPL’s cricket specialists. In fact, when he made his IPL debut last year, the leg-spinner turned out to be a bright star for Punjab, picking up 12 wickets at a fantastic economy rate of 7.37 in his first four games. Bishnoi has continued to progress even in the 2021 IPL, since his current economy is already under 7.
If the PBKS squad wants to get rid of such a valuable asset before the IPL 2022 season, the leg-spinner might land a lucrative deal where franchises will engage in a bidding war. Because leg spinners are in such high demand in the IPL, someone like Bishnoi, who is also a local uncapped player, may easily make a lot of money. Also, because he is a young cricketer, some organisations may be willing to pay him well simply because of his longevity.
Overall, the new IPL teams, as well as PBKS and CSK, can bet heavily on Ravi Bishnoi, while other teams may opt to stick with their former leg-spinners.