In a couple of weeks, we are set to witness the biggest auction in the cricket World in recent years, and with a plethora of top-notch players already shortlisted, it is going to be a guaranteed hit.
With this second mega auction expected to ramp up numbers on a different level, do you remember how the last mega auction and the first-ever IPL auction pan out? The oldest and the youngest players to feature in this grand tournament? Which player has played the most matches or is the most experienced?
Today, you'll find all these answers as we discuss them one by one.
Youngest player
The Youngest player to feature in an IPL game is Prayas Ray Barman, who featured for Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2019.
He was roped in by Bangalore for a whooping 1.5 cr in the 2018 auction and the reason for it was Barman's performance in the 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Barman concluded the tournament as the highest wicket-taker with 11 scalps in 9 matches.
He was just 16 years old (16 years 5 months) when he played against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2019. However, he was released by RCB in the next year.
For the 2022 season, Noor Ahmad (17y) from Afghanistan and Aaqib Khan (18y) from India will be two of the youngest players to feature in the IPL mega auction this month. Let's see if they can get into any franchise and impact instantly.
Oldest Player
Imran Tahir, who was 42 last year was the oldest player to feature in the IPL. The best part is that he will be an option for teams to turn to in this season as well. Does he have the promise to entice owners in the 2022 mega auction?
Tahir has 82 Ipl wickets in 59 matches and was one of the very vital members in Chennai Super Kings' trophy win after their comeback. However, this mega auction will have some more veterans ready to feature.
MS Dhoni who is 41 years old is also featuring, while Fidel Edwards is all set to make his return to the IPL for the first time since 2009. Amit Mishra, the highest Indian wicket-taker in IPL's history will also be up for grabs, while we'll saw see the likes of Dwayne Bravo and S. Sreesanth, who will be back after returning from a ban.
Which of these veterans do you back to make the most impact?
Most Matches/ Experienced
The most experienced man rightfully in the IPL is captain cool MS Dhoni, who has been a part of 220 IPL matches. The most successful skipper in cricket's history will be featured in this season as well. However, it may be for the first time that he won't be leading the Chennai Super Kings squad.
There are chances that with the 16cr spot already being handed to Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni might also hand over him the captaincy. What do you think? Can he make it to 250 IPL matches as a player?
Most Expensive Player in auctions
The expensive player in the auction was Chris Morris last year after he bagged a 16.25 cr price tag from Rajasthan Royals. It was evident that the Proteas failed to live up to his value, in recent years, we have often witnessed expensive buys of that season not turning up and showing the talent they were bought to show.
MS Dhoni was the costliest player in the maiden IPL season, while KL Rahul and Virat Kohli are currently the costliest players in the 2022 season. However, we will have to wait for the auction to see if any player crosses the 17 cr mark.
Do you know any player who was the most expensive IPL buy for two seasons running? Well, we have not one but two players to have achieved it.
Yuvraj Singh (2014,2015) was the first player and the first and only Indian to do so, while Ben Stokes became the first foreigner or overseas candidate to be the most expensive player two years running. Stokes did it in 2017 and 2018.
Most Expensive Team spends
Considering the net worth standings of every IPL franchise, you would anticipate that it's Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings respectively leading the list of high spends.
However, it's Royal Challengers Bangalore who are the highest spending franchise until the last Ipl season. Mumbai Indians though are second, while Chennai Super Kings are sixth. The team with the least IPL spending is Rajasthan Royals.
Let us know your thoughts. Stay tuned for more updates!