Top 5 Indian bowlers that franchises would target in IPL mega-auction 2022

With just a few days left in hand for the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega-auction for the 2022 season, all the franchises will now be zeroing in on the get the best players onboard. The mega-auction is set to take place on February 12 and 13 in Bengaluru. According to some reports, it can be the last mega-auction which is making it a huge occasion.

As many as 1214 players have registered their names for going under the hammer which includes 270 capped, 903 uncapped and 41 associate nation players. Let us take a look at the top five Indian bowlers that the teams would go for from the huge pool.

Mohammed Shami (Base Price of INR 2 Crore)

The name hardy requires any introduction; even though the decision of not retaining the Indian premier fast bowler by Punjab Kings (PBKS) did raise some eyebrows. The proven star performer for India at the international level was one of the go to bowlers for Punjab when it came to delivering difficult overs.

A look at Mohammed Shami‘s performance in his IPL career vis-à-vis his performance in the last season:

Even since 2019, the Bengal star has picked up 58 wickets in 42 IPL games. Of those 58 wickets, an incredible haul of 37 scalps have come in the death overs at a staggering strike rate of 8.8. No captain in his right mind will neglect those skills. To add more power, he can bowl with the new ball in the powerplay, in the middle overs to dry up runs and even come back to pick up wickets in the death overs. Besides all of that, this perfect package is also a very experienced campaigner.

Read More: IPL 2022 Mega Auction: 896 Indian and 318 International Players to go under the hammer

Ravichandran Ashwin (Base Price of INR 2 Crore)

If there is a chart of players that can’t be written off, India’s premier spinner with a cunning and astute brain, Ravichandran Ashwin will perhaps top the list. Even though being India’s main weapon in the red-ball format, he has rediscovered himself in the shortest format of the game.

His records speak volumes of his utility to any side.

Although, he didn’t have a particularly encouraging season last year with Delhi Capitals, Ashwin has made better progression since World T20 2021 with 9 wickets in 5 matches at an economy of 5.25 and strike rate of 13.3.

But with Ashwin, teams will get another crucial skill, that of leadership. He had done decently with the Punjab franchise in captaining them; in 28 matches he led PBKS, the India offie has a win percentage of 42.85. Therefore, with the experience, variations and captaincy duties, most of the teams will surely bid for him in the auction.

Yuzvendra Chahal (Base Price of INR 2 Crore)

If there is any decision that was most shocking in IPL retention, then leaving out leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will rank at one. The Haryana boy has been former captain Virat Kohli’s go to man whenever his side is under pressure.

With a huge heart, he has bowled fabulously over the years in different phases, especially at a small ground like Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. His 51 wickets at an economy of 7.74 from 41 matches at the very ground are crazy numbers for a spinner of any hue; someone who bowls with unyielding control, variation and smile can earn a huge cheque in the coming IPL auction.

Will RCB go for him or will another team snatch one of the best current Indian leg spinners?

Deepak Chahar (Base Price of INR 2 Crore)

One of those players for whom any franchise would be willing to invest. Deepak Chahar’s magnificent ability to take wickets with the new ball for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has been one of the reasons for the defending champion’s success after their return to the league in 2018.

In those early days, he used to ball only in the powerplay overs but over the years, he has also learnt the expertise of bowling in the death overs.

With his bowling, he adds an extra package of his batting too besides his name. In the year 2021, in an ODI game against Sri Lanka, he had helped India grab victory from the jaws of defeat. In IPL, he has a decent strike rate of 138.6 with bat in hand which spells out that he can attach some valuable runs in the end overs. With the shortage of quality Indian fast bowling all-rounders, the right-hander will surely invite a lot of interest.

Chennai and other teams will surely keep an eye on him when he will go under the hammer.

Harshal Patel (Base Price of INR 2 Crore)

Harshal Patel and IPL 2021 will remain one of the best relationships in the marquee league’s 14-year-old history. With ball, Patel dominantly delivered for RCB in the toughest phase of the game, i.e., death overs; the Haryana pacer, in the last season, had equaled Dwayne Bravo for the record of most wickets (32) grabbed by a bowler in a single edition of IPL.

Patel’s slower balls and yorkers were spot on on most occasions. Apart from the game against CSK in Mumbai, where Ravindra Jadeja just smacked him in the last over, he had been consistent throughout the season in both the phases. He single-handedly broke the back of several batting line-ups.

Therefore, teams will love to spend some money on Harshal Patel when he will arrive on the auction table.

Apart from the five bowlers who have been talked about, there will be several other options who will take home huge returns in the upcoming IPL 2022 mega-auction.

The 15th season of the cash-rich league will likely kick off on March 27 in India.

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