The IPL is known to make the lives of uncountable cricketers. Receiving an IPL contract has helped plenty of domestic and foreign cricketers in attaining financial security. It has revolutionized the way cricket is perceived by the masses. It has brought glamour to the sport and made it attractive for all of its stakeholders.
Thanks to IPL, today BCCI is the most cash-rich cricket board. The money generated from IPL also helps BCCI to invest in grassroots facilities and infrastructure. The corporatization of the game has brought in plenty of capital which has allowed huge paychecks for youngsters with talent. Today there are many players who are yet to make an international debut but are making huge money playing the IPL and are financially secure. Not just domestic players, international uncapped cricketers are receiving IPL contracts before maiden call-ups.
We look at 5 not-so-popular who may go onto multi-crore contracts in the 2022 mega auctions.
1. KS Bharat
The Royal Challengers Bangalore wicketkeeper set the IPL in 2021 on fire with the limited opportunities he received. The last ball six against Delhi Capitals which took RCB over the line made him a household name. A handy batsman who can bat at any position and is an excellent wicketkeeper, Bharat may be the wildcard in the auctions and could cause a bidding war among various franchises.
2. Devon Conway
The Kiwi has established himself as a brilliant batsman in every format for his country but seems to be largely unknown in the IPL circuit. His strike rate of 141 and average of close to 51 in T20Is is proof of his incredible batting capability in limited-overs. He may be a phenomenal opening option for the franchises.
3. Umran Malik
The young sensation from Kashmir seems to have made the Indian cricketing fraternity excited with raw pace and sheer brute aggression. He regularly clocked more than 150 kmph in the 2021 IPL. He played only 3 games in the IPL but has shown ample potential. Since pure fast-bowling is a rare commodity in the T20s, he could be brought in as a genuine speed gun and he could be a trump card.
4. Avishka Fernando
Not much is known about this Sri Lankan batsman but he has already excited plenty of cricket fanatics with his stroke play. He is extremely effective against spin bowling and has shown great character in a few of the ODIs that Sri Lanka has played. He could be the absolute unknown commodity that teams look for and he could repay solid dividends.
5. Ravi Bishnoi
Bishnoi has played two seasons for the Punjab Kings but seems to be under the radar even after giving eye-catching performances. In the 2020 season, in 14 games he picked up 12 wickets at an economy of 7.37. He played just 9 games in the 2021 season but picked the same number of wickets and has had one of the best economies. His effective leg-spin may make him an extremely attractive proposition.
