IPL 2022 Auction: 7 foreign players who could be extremely valuable picks
Last year, former South African all-rounder Chris Morris became the most expensive foreign player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history, fetching ₹16.25 crore at auction. A year before that, Australian Test captain Pat Cummins set a record by fetching a ₹15.50 crore.
The IPL 2022 auction is set to witness several foreign players breaking the bank.
Right since the inception of the IPL in 2008, the tournament’s sheen has been quality foreign players, which also adds to the USP of the cash-rich league. Two new teams entering the arena also means more opportunities for the players.
With a fortnight to go for the 2022 IPL auction, let’s look at seven foreign players who could go on to be extremely valuable picks.
Possible big foreign buys for IPL 2022
#1 David Warner (Australia) | IPL Champion: 2016
IPL Record: M 150 | R 5,449 | Ave 41.6 | SR 140 | 50+ 54
Base price: ₹2 crore
- Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals): 2009-13
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: 2014-21
One of the finest cricketers in IPL history, David Warner was stripped of captaincy by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and even dropped from their playing XI last season. Less than a month later, the Australian opener redeemed himself in the 2021 T20 World Cup. He won the Player of the Tournament award and guided his nation to their maiden World Cup triumph in the shortest format.
At 35, age may not be David Warner’s best friend, but he remains one of the fittest cricketers around. Having led SRH to their maiden title in 2016, he’s also a good captaincy option.
Aakash Chopra feels that no team will consider David Warner to lead their side 👀
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Teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) could eye him as a leadership option. The two new teams - Ahmedabad and Lucknow - have already named their captains but are short of opening options. And having released Shikhar Dhawan, Delhi Capitals (DC) could also target the man who started his IPL journey with them.
#2 Quinton de Kock (South Africa) | IPL Champions: 2019, 2020
IPL Record: M 77 | R 2,256 | Ave 31.3 | SR 130.9 | 50+ 17
Base price: ₹2 crore
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: 2013
- Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals): 2014-17
- Royal Challengers Bangalore: 2018
- Mumbai Indians: 2019-21
Having retired from the Tests at 29, Quinton de Kock’s focus now shifts solely on white-ball cricket. We already witnessed de Kock’s exploits during the India-South Africa ODIs, where he ended up winning the Player of the Series after the Proteas thrashed the visitors 3-0.
An aggressive opener and a top wicketkeeper, Quinton de Kock, could be targeted by several teams like KKR, Ahmedabad and SRH. Even Mumbai Indians (MI) could look to purchase him back if they miss out on Ishan Kishan at the auction.
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Aakash Chopra feels Quinton de Kock will be the most expensive opener in the IPL mega auction.
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For the same reasons, England’s Jonny Bairstow (Base price: ₹1.5 crore) is also likely to be on-demand and fetch attractive bids.
#3 Mitchell Marsh (Australia)
IPL Record: M 21 | R 225 | Ave 17.3 | SR 114.2 | W 20 | Ave 21 | Econ 7.9
Base price: ₹2 crore
- Deccan Chargers: 2010
- Pune Warriors India: 2011-13
- Rising Pune Supergiants: 2016-17
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: 2020
Mitchell Marsh has been unlucky with injuries. Over the past 12 years, he has been a part of numerous franchises but made limited appearances and found little success. In the IPL 2022, he has a renewed reputation as someone who put Australia back on their T20 track.
One of the most consistent cricketers for Australia in the shortest format, Mitchell Marsh played a critical role in the country’s first-ever T20 World Cup triumph last year, winning the Player of the Match in the final against New Zealand.
Most franchises are looking for a genuine all-rounder, and the Western Australian could fit in well.