The cash-rich Indian Premier League has always been a dream for many of the upcoming talents, be it the domestic circuit or the international, players show raw emotions when being put under the hammer.
This edition of the IPL auction saw many players become wealthy overnight and today we take a look at the five starlet cricketers who bagged their maiden IPL deal in the recently concluded auction.
Without further adieu, let us dive in straight to the list of the players.
1) Odean Smith (West Indies)
Base price: 1 cr
Final price: 6 cr (Punjab Kings)
đź‘Źđź‘Ź @PunjabKingsIPL #TATAIPLAuction @TataCompanies pic.twitter.com/ZTTYk5dtKk
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 13, 2022
When you get bagged for six times your base price at a marquee auction like that of the IPL, one should know that you are a player that the teams have been targeting ever since they sat down to make the plan. The West Indies hard-hitting all-rounder who can punish the ball and extract some raw pace was the center of the attraction for a brief period during the auction and after an intense bidding war, the 25-year old was bagged by Punjab Kings, landing the all-rounder his maiden IPL deal.
Did a part of his procurement have to do with his performance in the recently concluded ODI series against India?
Overall T20 stats
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | Eco | BBI |
| 34 | 196 | 36 | 9 | 3/20 |
2) Dwaine Pretorius (South Arica)
Base price: 50 L
Final price: 50 L (Chennai Super Kings)
A regular in the South African set-up, the 32-year old was almost on the verge of being left out of the global event. Thanks to the CSK team management, they decided to include the South African in the later part of the accelerated auction and was bagged for his base price of 50 L as no other teams showed any interest whatsoever.
The deal according to us is a great bargain as the all-rounder has been proving his efficiency in the international circuit and also has been highly consistent in recent times. Can he make a mark in his maiden IPL appearance?
Overall T20 stats
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | Eco | BBI |
| 154 | 2022 | 109 | 8.12 | 5/17 |
3) Devon Conway (New Zealand)
Base price: 1 cr
Final price: 1cr (Chennai Super Kings)
New Zealand’s key batsman and highest Test run-getter in the last calendar year, Devon Conway is someone who can anchor the innings together irrespective of the format. Although not known for playing aggressively, the level-headed kiwi can be a great entity in the middle-order. Once again at a base price of 1 cr, we feel Conway is a great bargain and the CSK management have done a wonderful job to land him his maiden IPL deal.
Overall T20 stats
| Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | HS |
| 115 | 3765 | 43.77 | 128.14 | 105* |
4) Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand)
Base price: 75 L
Final price: 75 L (Rajasthan Royals)
What's it like to be picked up in the @IPL Auction for the first time? Find out from @dazmitchell47 who will be joining @rajasthanroyals this season and hear from bowling coach @shanejurgo about the benefits of players getting experience in the IPL. #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/EnOGZLXbiE
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 15, 2022
Another Kiwi mainstream player, Daryl Mitchell landed a deal with the Rajasthan Royals and once again it does look to be a great bargain as the 30-year old can be handy with both the bat and ball. With the ability to both open the innings and open the bowling, Mitchell can be a great asset on the Royals side if used properly. With the experience of over 100 T20 matches, there is questioning the experience of him either. Can Mitchell cement his place in the Royals’ combination?
| Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | Wickets |
| 131 | 2722 | 31 | 132.45 | 57 |
5) Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa)
Base price: 1 cr
Final price: 1 cr (Rajasthan Royals)
The Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings seem to have done some great homework as once again we have the Men in pink who have managed to steal a great deal. Rassie van der Dussen is no small name in the sport, he is currently ranked 8th in the ICC Men’s T20I batsmen ranking and also is a great asset in the middle-order given his ability to switch gears at will.
With Jos Buttler’s availability in the initial stages of the tournament being doubtful, it is likely that the 33-year old will be given a role in the side. Can he continue his great form in the sub-continent conditions as well?
| Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | HS |
| 140 | 4129 | 38.23 | 130.17 | 112* |
Which player do you think can capitalize on this opportunity? Do let us know your thoughts and comments and stay tuned with Cricwizz and our social media handles as we thrive to bring you all the latest and exclusive content revolving around the second most followed sport in the world.
Cover Credits: Criclife
