The brand of IPL has grown leaps and bounds in the last decade. The media rights, franchise rights, player contracts as well as the complete endorsements package of the tournament have gone off the roofs. The purse for IPL teams was initially at Indian rupees 60 crores which have now been reportedly increased to 90 crores by BCCI for the franchises.
The 4 retentions would cost the franchise 42 crores rupees whereas 3 retentions will be clocked at 33 crores rupees. These gargantuan sums of money shall give us an indication of how huge the mega-auction in 2022 can get. We can expect plenty of big money purchases from all the franchises.
IPL 2020 mega-auction could be a dream to grab a big amount for some star cricketers
For the 2021 season, Chris Morris was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for a whopping 16.25 crores rupees. With the purse budgets increased by BCCI, we can expect the record set by Morris to be broken this season. We look at 5 players who can be the big earners of the 2022 auctions.
1. Jos Butler
Arguably the best white-ball cricketer in the world currently and hands down the best player from England, Butler has been one of the biggest contributors of Rajasthan Royals over the past few years. He has consistently scored big including a century against Delhi Capitals in 2021. In the opening spot, he can be destructive and help the team put big scores. All teams will actively look for a talent like Butler who can even keep wickets.
2. KL Rahul
The man has been in tremendous form since the last few seasons. He was on the orange cap list in the last couple of seasons and scored upwards of 500 runs on a regular basis. He also becomes an Indian cricket team superstar which will increase his stocks. Reports are already out about Punjab Kings negotiating a higher pay package with him. It won’t be a surprise to see him in the top league of most paid cricketers in IPL 2022 auctions.
3. David Warner
Warner may not have had the best IPL in 2021 but it would be foolish to write off someone of Warner’s caliber. One of the world’s most destructive white ball cricketers, Warner has set the IPL on fire between 2016 and 2020 with almost all seasons clocking more than 550 runs. He also won the orange cap in 2017 and got his franchise to win the IPL in 2016. He is a legend in the IPL and all franchisees will be having their eyes on him to secure his services as an opener and he could also be appointed as a captain.
4. Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur is an understated talent in the IPL and does not receive the credit and appreciation he should be getting. His talent with the ball and bat has been a revelation in the last couple of years. His ability to bowl fast and swing the ball is rare. He can also tonk the ball a good distance and is technically a sound batsman. He is a perfect pace bowling all-rounder and such cricketers generally get the highest bids, case in point being Ben Stokes and Chris Morris. Therefore, it will not be surprising to see Lord Thakur go for big bucks.
5. Anrich Nortje
Another not-so-popular name on the list is the South African speed gun, Anrich Nortje. He has been a revelation in the Delhi Capitals team. Having combined forces with his Proteas teammate, Rabada, the two pacers have made the Delhi franchise a threatening bowling unit. He bowls lethal pace and has excellent line and length. A genuine wicket-taking prospect, he shall be fancied by almost all franchises. Nortje has proven to be extremely effective on the Indian pitches and therefore shall be a favorite of all team managements.
