10 Cricketers who can bag their first-ever IPL contract in IPL 2022

The Indian Premier League is one the most lucrative and toughest T20 leagues in the world. To be a part of the IPL, a player has to be impressive in some other league or tournament. And if one succeeds in the IPL, usually the gate to the national side becomes wide open. It is all about handling the pressure. 

Pressure is a common word in a tournament like the IPL. Even if a player succeeds in another league, the price tag pressure is too hot to handle. Many players made it to the IPL but failed at the big stage.

Similarly, many players were sold at the base price. But later on, they became match winners for their country. Numerous players have the potential, but they missed out at the auction. So, here are 

10 cricketers that may see their first contract in IPL 2022

10. Joe Clarke

Joe Clarke is one of the most popular names in English cricket right now. Although he has been in the shadows of a powerful England limited-overs side, his talents are speaking for him. He is a stylish middle-order batsman and is a talented wicketkeeper. 

Clarke has been a part of Karachi Kings in the PSL. Adding on, he has played for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League. In three games, he has scored 44 runs for the Perth-based franchise. He has a healthy strike rate of 183.33 in the BBL.

This middle-order wicketkeeper-batsman will be a valuable addition to any team he plays for. The new franchises could eye on Clarke as their long-term player. An unknown face with an ability to play attacking cricket can take any opposition by surprise. 

9. Hazratullah Zazai

Hazratullah Zazai made the headlines after he scored 162 runs from 62 balls in a T20I game. During that innings, he smashed 16 sixes to set up a target of 278 against Ireland. He is one of the upcoming talents for Afghan cricket and can make it big in a tournament like the IPL.

If drafted, he will become the fourth player from Afghanistan to make it to the IPL. For a team that has been taking giant strides in World Cricket, the participation of the Afghan cricketers in IPL is a positive sign. Zazai has scored 570 runs in 15 T20I games. He has a healthy average of 40.71 in the format. 

For the teams that are looking for a solid opener, Zazai can fit into the role perfectly. Adding on, the exposure to a stage like IPL will help him grow as a player. A strike rate of 155.31 is too much to ignore for the franchise. Hence, he might get a contract during the mega auctions. 

8. Blessing Muzarabani

Somehow, it is a bit saddening that players from Zimbabwe rarely make it to the IPL. The players do have the talent, but in a league filled with proven superstars, it is a bit difficult for any player from nations like Zimbabwe to make it to the playing eleven of the franchise. But, Blessing Muzarabani might have the firepower to troublesome of the big names in cricket. 

He has a natural pace and can generate bounce on any surface. He has played 21 ODIs for Zimbabwe and has picked up 25 wickets with an economy rate of 5.5. Adding on, he has played 15 T20Is for the African nation and has picked 21 wickets so far. 

An economy rate of 8.58 is decent in T20 cricket. His abilities can make him one of the best players for Zimbabwe in the future. As two new teams are coming up in the mega auctions, we can expect any team to bid for him. If given sufficient chances, he can be the next big star from Zimbabwe.

7. Wanindu Hasaranga

It is a sad story that Sri Lankan cricket is in the worst phase. Few players were consistent and their performance is degrading day by day. The 2014 World Champions in T20 cricket have to play the qualifiers in the upcoming T20 World Cup. A big mark on the history of Lankan cricket. 

However, amongst the group of underperforming talents, Wanindu Hasaranga is a bright name. He has been a consistent performer for Sri Lanka so far. In 18 T20Is, he has picked 26 wickets. Adding on, he has a healthy economy rate of 6.76. 

He will be a perfect choice for any team that wants to strengthen its spin bowling department. There is a huge possibility that teams like KKR and RR would like to draft him in their squad. Hasaranga is also a decent tailender batsman who can occupy the crease if needed. 

6. Jos Inglis

Jos Inglis is another wicketkeeper-batsman who can play attacking cricket. He has been around the Australian cricket circuit for quite some time. He is a regular member of the playing eleven of the Perth Scorchers. 

Inglis has played 41 BBL games so far. He has scored 941 runs with a healthy strike rate of 143.45. As a wicketkeeper, he has been a part of 33 dismissals. If any team is looking for a fresh name in their wicket-keeper’s section, Jos Inglis is a good choice. 

He can bat at the top order and play long innings. Inglis has the highest score of 73 not out. Adding on, during big run chases, he can accelerate the innings if needed. With teams like CSK, who might need a replacement of stalwarts like Dhoni, Inglis could be a perfect replacement. 

5. Rassie van der Dussen

Rassie van der Dussen is now a part of the national side after a long wait. He was unfortunate enough to miss out on a national call-up during the early stages of his career. This was mainly because of the abundance of talented players on the national side. 

Rassie has played 25 T20I games so far. He has been a decent performer for South Africa. With a strike rate of 137.71, he has been an attacking player for the Proteas. Rassie has the highest score of 74 in the shortest format of the game. 

In his ODIs, he has an average of 80.91, in 23 games. Well, this is impressive for someone who has played over 20 ODIs. Rassie could join a team like Rajasthan Royals, who suffered because of the unavailability of overseas players. He could become a match-winner for any team he plays in the IPL.

4. Adil Rashid

Adil Rashid has been Eoin Morgan’s first-choice spinner. Although he reached the pinnacle of his career a bit late, he has been effective thereafter. Sometimes, he produces those unplayable deliveries that have even deceived someone like Virat Kohli. Maybe, it is time that he joins an IPL franchise. 

Rashid has played 112 ODIs for England. With 159 wickets to his name, he has been bowling with an economy rate of 5.65. Talking about his T20I performances, Adil has picked 59 wickets. 

He has been bowling with an economy rate of 7.46. With the best bowling figures of 3/11, he is now one of the premier spinners on the English side. Teams who will be eyeing to strengthen their spin bowling department might pick him up. Adil Rashid is a big name in international cricket and he deserves an IPL contract. 

3. Glenn Phillips

Glenn Phillips is an attacking wicketkeeper-batsman, who is widely regarded as the next big thing in the New Zealand cricket circuit. With so many big names on the New Zealand side, his presence strengthens the New Zealand batting lineup. Phillips has been a part of 25 T20I games so far in his career.

With 505 runs at a strike rate of 149.41, he can tee off from the word go. His talents could be used by teams like Mumbai Indians, who might require someone at the top order to give them solid starts. Glenn is a wicketkeeper, which might attract some bidders like CSK too.

There are so many teams that would like an attacking wicketkeeper-batsman in their squad. Glenn’s ability to take only a couple of balls to settle is a valuable asset. Adding on, he might produce the magic like Glenn Maxwell did in the 2015 season of the IPL.

2. Joe Root

Joe Root has always been underestimated as a T20 batsman. Well, he is the only member of the Fab Four to not have played an IPL game. Although he is a part of the English T20 squad, he regularly misses out at the auction. Maybe, this time, he will be picked up by a franchise. 

Root has scored 893 runs in 32 T20I appearances. He was also a member of the English side that reached the finals of the 2016 ICC T20 world cup, with a strike rate of 126.31. Apart from that, he has a fantastic strike rate of 35.72 percent. It’s worth noting that any batting average above 30 is considered healthy. And Root has come through practically every time Eoin Morgan has required an anchor to stabilize the inning.

For teams that are experiencing regular batting collapse, Root might become their star player. Take a team like KKR for example, they have been struggling because of their batting. The inclusion of a player like Root can be a huge plus point. Other batsmen can play around him.

1. Devon Conway

There is almost no doubt in anyone’s mind that Devon Conway will be picked at the upcoming mega auction. The stylish left-handed batsman has been the talk of the town. Adding on, he has excelled in every format of the game. It looks like Kane Williamson has ensured that under his captaincy, Conway’s skills are utilized properly. 

He has played 14 T20I games so far. He has scored 473 runs at an average of 59.12. Adding on, he has the highest score of 151.12 in T20Is. Recently, he made his debut in the Test format as well. In that game, he scored a magnificent double century. 

Conway might break few records in the auction as well. He has proved himself as the next superstar from New Zealand. He can play long innings in the shortest format and can provide solid starts to his team. There is no doubt that every team will be looking to draft him in their squad.