The recently concluded IPL retention is one of the biggest subjects that has grabbed centre stage during the Test season. The incumbent IPL clubs have kept their best players according to their intentions. Also, there have been some unexpected releases as well, allowing the two newly added teams Lucknow and Ahmedabad to compete. They also have a lot of big names to select from. And we expect them to spend millions on some well-known names to construct a solid core. Before the IPL 2022 Auction, the new Ahmedabad franchise already has three outstanding players; Hardik Pandya(c), Marcus Stoinis and Rashid Khan. They’ll now try to bid for top-tier Indian all-rounders to bolster their middle-order. 11 players the Ahmedabad team should target in IPL Mega Auction
11 players Ahmedabad should target in IPL Mega Auction 2022
1. Faf du Plessis
The South African finished the IPL 2021 as the second top run scorer, four runs behind Chennai Super Kings teammate Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, the CSK did keep him. Also, the South African will now be in the auctions. Faf can be a target for the Ahmedabad team because he is still a very productive T20 opener.
2. Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan is another IPL veteran who was acquired by Delhi Capitals in 2019 after a few seasons with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Every season, he scored over 500 runs for the franchise, including over 600 runs in IPL 2020. He also became the first batsman in the IPL to score back-to-back tons.
3. Ishan Kishan
The Mumbai Indians discharged the wicketkeeper batsman. He also has an explosive presence in the crease and continues to add to the scoreboard with ease. Because Kishan is still in his early twenties, it would be a nice addition for Ahmedabad. It also gives the team a long-term alternative.
4. Shah Rukh Khan
Tamil Nadu’s very own, Shah Rukh Khan, is in red hot form. The explosive middle-order batsman single-handedly won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final for Tamil Nadu in 2021. Punjab Kings introduced him to the IPL last year after buying him for massive 5.25 crores. Khan couldn’t play all fourteen games for PBKS but he certainly left his mark and impressed every cricket critic. An explosive lower-order batsman is certainly a player to go for from any team’s point of view.
5. Ravichandran Ashwin
Since being named to India’s T20 World Cup squad in 2021, the experienced off-spinner has seen a resurgence in his white-ball career. He was released by Delhi Capitals, and Ahmedabad could be interested in him because he is still a fantastic match winner and a useful lower-order batsman. He might also make a significant contribution as a member of the leadership group.
6. Mohammed Shami
Shami had a couple strong performances for Punjab Kings, however he was not named to the team’s retained players list. Also with his skills and variety, he can be a solid presence up front or at the end. With 19 wickets from 14 games, he was the most prolific wicket-taker for Kings, and his economy of 7.3 was respectable in the format.
7. Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran is clearly someone who the bowling unit of every team recognises as a dangerous customer whenever he reaches the middle, even if he didn’t impress us in the most recent edition of the IPL. Pooran has also scored 521 runs at an average of 32.56 and a strike rate of 165.39 in two seasons, excluding IPL 2021. Given his status as a finisher on the PBKS team, these are impressive numbers.
Also read: IPL 2022 Mega Auction: Shortlisted List Of Players Released
8. Deepak Chahar
With the new ball, Deepak Chahar has proven to be a reliable alternative for MS Dhoni in CSK. The pacer has appeared in 63 IPL matches and taken 59 wickets, with his best performance coming in 2019 when he took 22 wickets. CSK decided not keep Chahar ahead of the blockbuster auction, instead opting for MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Moeen Ali. With his increased batting ability, Deepak Chahar will undoubtedly be a popular auction pick.
9. Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar is a highly sought-after player in local cricket. In the limited opportunities for India, he has earned his name for himself across forms. Sundar had a spectacular run with the Rising Pune Supergiant in his first IPL season, taking eight wickets at an excellent economy rate of 6.17 as the side became runners-up. After that, the Royal Challengers Bangalore signed him. He was also a continuous presence, and his consistency in other domestic events gained him a berth in India’s T20I setup. RCB has released him ahead of the super auctions after missing the second leg of the IPL 2021 due to injury.
10. Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada, South Africa’s pace spearhead, will be watched closely by all franchises. After scores of 72/3 and 42/4 against India in the present first Test at Centurion, the seamer would be extremely happy with himself. Rabada has also had a lot of success in the IPL, taking 76 wickets in 50 games for an average of 20.53 and best figures of 4/21. In recent years, he has played an important role for the Delhi Capitals.
11. Chetan Sakariya
The young India left-arm bowler wowed many people during the IPL 2021, therefore it came as no surprise when he was called up to the Indian team for the series against Sri Lanka. He would also be a valuable addition to the Ahmedabad team, and he has a lot of room to grow as he obtains more experience.
