Indian Premier League (IPL) embarked on a new journey of expansion with the inclusion of two new teams and a two-day mega-auction that began on Saturday (February 12). A total of 10 franchises contested on the Day 1 of the TATA IPL 2022 mega auctions: Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Delhi Capitals (DC), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Mumbai Indians (MI), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Day 1 of the auction was dominated by the pacers such as Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna, Lockie Ferguson, Josh Hazlewood, Mark Wood, Harshal Patel, Jason Holder and Pat Cummins. Apart from the bowlers, some of the batters got under the gavel, but what piqued the attention of the fans were some of the surprising bids on Day 1 of the mega auctions.
Surprising on the pretext of some players either getting sold for low price, unexpectedly higher price, or either not worth the value addition. On that note, we look upon the top 5 surprising buys on day 1 of the IPL 2022 mega auctions:
Rahul Tewatia (Sold for INR 9 crores)
One of the most expensive uncapped Indian all-rounders on Day 1, Rahul Tewatia has listed at the base price of INR 40 Lakhs and sold to the new franchise Gujarat Titans for INR 9 crores. He played a couple of valorous match-winning knocks during the IPL 2020 season in the UAE.
Since then, he has not been an economical and efficient utility as a player. Although he contributes more with the ball, after having taken 8 wickets in 14 matches in the last season. He was not equally impressive with the bat for the Rajasthan Royals with an aggregated score of 155 runs in 14 matches at an average of 15.50. It remains to be seen if he can justify the price, he has been paid for in the IPL 2022 mega auctions on Day 1.
Read More: TATA IPL 2022 Auction: CSK buy back Chahar, Bravo, Uthappa & Rayudu; Purse of INR 20.45 Cr remains
Nicholas Pooran (Sold for INR 10.75 crore)
The West Indies wicket-keeper batter became the joint most expensive overseas player on Day 1 of the IPL 2022 mega auctions alongside Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga. He was sold for a whopping 10.75 crores INR to the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Nicholas Pooran was listed at the base price of INR 1.5 crore. However, his records have not been as promising in the T20s format of late, including in the previous edition of IPL (2021).
In IPL 2021, Pooran played for Punjab Kings and failed to put up fireworks at all, having finished the season with a meager 85 runs in 12 matches. Holder, his countrymate was sold for a relatively lesser prize (8.75 crores INR) but he is handy with both bat and ball. Known for his prowess of hitting the ball out of the park, his form needs to pick pace with the kind of hype created around him and the prize he has racked up on day 1 of IPL 2022 mega auctions.
Read More: Tata IPL 2022 Mega-Auction Day 1: PBKS pick Dhawan, Bairstow, Rabada; Purse of INR 28.65 Cr remains
Anuj Rawat (Sold for INR 3.40 crore)
The uncapped India wicketkeeper was picked by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for 3.40 crores INR on Day 1. The 22-year-old youngster from Uttarakhand made his T20 and List A debut in 2019 and averages 29.47 and 44.07 respectively. Anuj Rawat has shown immense potential, especially for having an average above 40 at a young age. In domestic cricket, represents Delhi and has eight consecutive 30+ scores in the last List A and T20 matches combined.
In the previous edition, Anuj played only a couple of games for Rajasthan Royals, which obviously could not be an ascertaining factor of the talent he possesses. Therefore, the RCB bidding management having a knack for potential youngsters like Anuj got him a hefty deal worth Rs. 3.4 crores, making him one of the top 5 surprising picks on day 1 of the IPL 2022 mega auction.
Read More: TATA IPL 2022 Auction: RR pick Hetmyer, Boult, Prasidh Krishna as Top Picks for this season
Dewald Brevis (Sold for INR 3 crore)
Gained popularity during the recently concluded under-19 World Cup 2022, Dewald Brevis has started being known as “Baby AB” for many reasons. First off, he dons the same jersey number (17) that AB de Villiers does. During the U-19 WC 2022, Brevis finished as the leading run-scorer with 506 runs in six innings at an average of 84.33. He also flexed his capability of hitting the ball all over with a sheer resemblance to AB de Villiers. The youngster was listed at a base price of 20 lakhs and sold to the Mumbai Indians for INR 3 crores, also cut in as one of the top 5 surprising picks on day 1 of IPL 2022 mega auctions.
Read More: All you need to know about Dewald Brevis – The Baby AB
David Warner (Sold for INR 6.35 crore)
Former Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper, who had a forgetful outing the last edition found a new home in the form of Delhi Capitals. The franchise also happens to be the southpaw’s first team he played for since making his IPL debut. Astonishingly, a two-time IPL winner with SRH and the highest overseas run-scorer in the tournament was picked for a lesser prize surprisingly. The kind of value addition he brings in for any side he plays for is unfathomable.
David Warner was listed at the base price of 2 crores INR and ended up getting sold to Delhi Capitals for 6.5 crores INR. However, Delhi Capitals would be at a huge advantage as the left-handed batter makes a perfect contender for leading the franchise in the tournament.
Read More: TATA IPL 2022 Auction: Top 5 most expensive players
