IPL 2022: 5 non-retained bowlers who might get huge salary hike in mega auction

The 15th edition of IPL 2022 has begun to unveil its course. All the eight existing teams have ultimately retained their most vital players and are ready to kickstart an all-new IPL cycle. In fact, despite the big elites of the tournament getting retained, still, the new entrants have received a substantial piece of the pie to unleash their own IPL journey.

However, amidst all of this, sadly the franchises have also left their star A-list bowlers who will now definitely become the hot potatoes before the mega auction starts. Especially as the two new franchises will now be offering whopping deals, many might dwell themselves over there.

Here are 5 non-retained bowlers who might get huge salary hike in IPL 2022 mega auction:

1. Avesh Khan (IPL 2021 salary- INR 70 Lakh)

For Avesh Khan, the entire tournament of IPL 2021 was utter bliss. The pacer who was part of the DC franchise since IPL 2018 played a record total of 16 games in the last season. In terms of his performances, Avesh emerged as a leading wicket-taker of the franchise in IPL 2021, scalping 24 wickets at a credible economy of 7.37.

Moreover, the 24-year old also unveiled his ascendency traits, especially by often emerging as the chief leader of DC’s sturdy pace bowling pack. In the company of world-class pacers like Rabada, Nortje and Chris Woakes, Avesh has eventually now paved his way into the team India’s dressing room.

But a mere salary of INR 70 Lakh in IPL 2021 certainly is a very unreasonable package that the youngster has received especially in his triumphant season. Hence, the speedster can be expected to bag a mammoth deal which can be analogous to his current IPL career progress.

2. Rashid Khan (IPL 2021 salary- INR 9.7 crore)

The Orange Army seemed to be the ultimate home for the past five  years for Rashid Khan. The Afghan cricketer had started his IPL journey with the SRH family in 2017 with a substantial contract of INR 4 crore. Over the years much like his growing wickets tally, the spinner also received a salary hike of almost INR 10 crore till IPL 2021.

However, his discontinuation with the Hyderabad franchise will now make him bag a contract that can start a bidding war even before the mega auction begins. As a T20I cricketer of the decade, the two new franchises can certainly offer him a swanky deal.

Also, not to forget that if the Afghan spinner somehow enters into the mega auction, then possibly all 10 franchises will fire all their cylinders to acquire him. Hence, it will be very interesting to see what value does the world’s richest T20 league provide to the world’s best T20 spinner.

3. Harshal Patel (IPL 2021 salary- INR 20 Lakh)

Much like DC’s Avesh Khan, even Harshal Patel has been receiving a very underwhelming IPL salary. The current Purple Cap winner certainly was the biggest revelation of IPL 2021 and even for the red army that constantly had endured death bowling woes. In fact, by being signed at a very modest value of INR 20 Lakh, the pacer seemed to be a lot more worthy than the brimmed NZ pacer Kyle Jamieson.

However, in the upcoming IPL season, definitely the franchises including the new entrants will surely compensate him with a colossal contract that potentially could match his wickets tally. Also, since the pacer additionally carries an all-rounder’s skillset, he easily could be offered a second price slab by the latest recruiters.

All in all, the 31-year old’s finesse in the death overs is something that is very elusive and won’t be comfortably available once the mega auction starts. Hence, as a capped India player, Harshal Patel will enjoy an exclusive stipulation in his coming IPL endeavour.

4. Kagiso Rabada (IPL 2021 salary- INR 4.2 crore)

For Kagiso Rabada, the DC’s dressing room has so far been its ultimate IPL home. Since IPL 2017, the South African spearhead has been blazing fireballs for the Delhi team and has played a total of 50 IPL games. In terms of his performances, the pacer has also picked 76 wickets at an economy of 8.21. However, unfortunately before the 15th IPL season, the speedster has been discarded into the auction pool.

Though Rabada’s presence has been discontinued, the 26-year old will still enjoy an immense interest by the many franchises. Specifically, the two new teams will direly look to bag him merely because of the speedster being the best available when it comes to the pile of premier overseas pacers. Also, since Rabada’s availability in the IPL has never been a cause of concern, surely even other franchises will straightforwardly look to offer a husky contract to the youngster.

A top-notch entity in the pace bowling club of fab four, one can also surely expect him to cross the 10 crore mark even in the mega auction pool. Hence, despite becoming subservient to his fellow SA teammate Anrich Nortje in terms of his retention, Rabada still might bag an enormous contract in IPL 2022.

5. Shardul Thakur (IPL 2021 salary- INR 2.6 Crore)

There’s absolutely no doubt that the year 2021 has been a dream year for the Mumbai pacer. In international cricket, Shardul Thakur has not only become team India’s multi-format bowler but also a prospective bowling all-rounder. He emerged as the highest T20I wicket-taker for team India in 2020, and left no stone unturned to perform commendably in IPL 2021.

For CSK, Thakur took 21 wickets from his 16 games at an economy of 8.8. More importantly, by bowling in the middle passage of play, his knack for scalping big wickets often was a revelation for the opposition teams. After a top-class season, he has certainly pushed himself into a pool of elite bowlers that will be sold like hot cakes in the mega auction.

In fact, from his mere salary of INR 2.6 crore, Thakur might smoothly start a bidding war amongst most of the franchises during the mega auction time. Hence, expect this Mumbai cricketer to bag a lavish contract even amongst his India peers in IPL 2022.