Indian Premier League: Best signings of the 2022 mega auction
What's the story
Ahead of every Indian Premier League auction, sides come up with a strategy to pick the best possible squad in the tournament while making sure that it fits their agenda, interests, and financial constraints. It's almost impossible to get the combination right every time. But, sometimes the teams manage to snap their favorite players with the desired budget. Here are a few such signings.
Warner
David Warner joins Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals on Saturday snapped David Warner for Rs. 6.25 crore. Warner is a veteran of 150 IPL games. With 5,449 runs in his kitty, he is the fifth leading run-getter in the tournament and the only foreigner in the top five. He is a three-time Orange Cap winner - 2015, 2017, and 2019. He has scored four tons and 50 fifties in IPL.
Patel
Harshal Patel returns to RCB
Harshal Patel was arguably the best bowler in 2021 IPL. He picked 32 wickets in the previous season in 15 games to finish the tournament as the leading wicket-taker. Despite his heroics, RCB did not retain him. However, he is set to return to RCB after they shelled out Rs. 10.75 crore to sign him. Overall, he has picked 78 wickets in 63 games.
Avesh
Avesh Khan goes to Lucknow Super Giants
Uncapped Indian pacer Avesh Khan was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for a hefty price of Rs. 10 crore. He was released by Delhi Capitals after finishing 2021 as their leading wicket-taker. He scalped 24 wickets from 16 matches at 18.75. He was the second-leading wicket-taker in 2021. Overall, Avesh has snapped up 29 wickets from 25 matches at an average of 25.83.
Faf
Du Plessis signed by RCB
Faf du Plessis has been sold to RCB for Rs. 7 crore. In Faf, RCB have found a perfect opener. He has racked up 2,935 runs in 100 games at 34.94. Faf has hit 22 half-centuries while maintaining a strike rate of 131.08. Faf enjoyed his best two seasons in the IPL in 2020 and 2021 respectively. He amassed scores of 449 and 633.
Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal goes to RR
Indian batter Devdutt Padikkal is set to join Rajasthan Royals for the 2022 season. He was purchased by inaugural champions for a whopping Rs. 7.75 crore. He racked up 411 runs for RCB in 2021 in 14 games at 31.61. Overall, he has scored 884 runs in 29 IPL games at 31.57. He has smashed six half-centuries and one ton in the marquee event.
Iyer
Will Shreyas Iyer lead KKR in 2022?
After releasing Eoin Morgan after the 2021 season, Kolkata Knight Riders were on the hunt for a new skipper and they have a perfect person for the job in Shreyas Iyer. He led to Delhi Capitals (DC) to their first-ever IPL final in 2020. Iyer is also a proven performer with the bat. He has amassed 2,375 runs in 87 IPL games at 31.66.