The introduction of two new teams in this year’s IPL 2022 saw a huge hike in the total amount of money spent as the teams fought it out in the awaited mega auction to get their preferred picks.
A total of 204 players were sold in the two days of the auction, 67 of which were overseas. The auction saw an accumulation of 5,51,70,00,000 rupees from sales, almost five times the amount spent in the previous edition in 2021.
The two new entries named Lucknow Super Giants and Gujrat Titans spent big with the former exhausting its purse.
Similar to previous editions, the onus of the teams was on young Indian players as the auction saw several veterans being snubbed. Left-handed opener Ishan Kishan stole the show when Mumbai Indians brought him back at a whopping 15,25,00,000 rupees, the topmost bid for this year’s IPL.
The auction saw more expensive returnees with Chennai Super Kings steering back Deepak Chahar 14 crore rupees. Royal Challengers Bangalore brought back the highest wicket-taker of 2021, Harshal Patel (10.75 crore rupees), who took 32 wickets at an average of 14.34.
They further strengthened their bowling by signing the number one bowler in T20Is, Wanindu Hasaranga (10.75 crore rupees).
Kolkata Knight Riders were determined on acquiring Sreyash Iyer and they spent big on the right-handed batsman (12.25 crore rupees). Lucknow Super Giants made headlines when they fought it out for right-arm fast bowler Avesh Khan by bidding 10 crore rupees, making him the most expensive uncapped signing in the history of the IPL.
Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals made Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna their top buys with both the players going for big money (10 crore rupees).
Punjab Kings came in late for hard-hitting sensation Liam Livingstone (11.5 crore rupees), while Gujrat Titans were focused on getting Kiwi speedster Lockie Ferguson (10 crore rupees). Sunrisers Hyderabad bought wicket-keeper batsman Nicolas Pooran looking forward to rejuvenating their squad with the addition of the hard-hitting Caribbean.
