IPL 2022: 5 Players with INR 2 crore base price who may go unsold in mega auction

The IPL 2022 is just now two months away from getting underway. The mega auction which is happening in February has received a colossal registration of 1214 players. Out of such a mega pool, a total of 49 top-class individuals are part of the highest bracket slab (INR 2 Crore).

In fact, to further break it down, a total of 17 Indians and 32 overseas giants are part of this elite group. Even the old maestro like Imran Tahir and Dwayne Bravo have dwelled themselves to minimum grab a deal of INR 2 Crore. Most of the players will trigger a bidding way from this bracket but there will be some who might go unsold.

Here are five players with Rs 2 crore base price who might go unsold in IPL mega auction:

1. Craig Overton

In recent times, Craig Overton has made massive strides to progress as a white-ball cricketer. By representing Southern Brave, the all-rounder also won a winner’s medal. Even when COVID-19 had hit England in 2021 against PAK, Overton was called for his ODI debut.

However, in the shortest format, Overton’s numbers aren’t even substantial. The 27-year old in T20s has played a total of 63 games, scalping 58 wickets at an economy of almost 9. In fact, with regards to his batting skills, Overton has a bleak strike rate (119.70) and average (16.10).

Therefore, by placing himself in the highest bracket, Overton might not even intrigue the barest of eyeballs. As the teams will have far better options to pick, this Englishman will go unsold because of his ambitious price tag.

2. Dinesh Karthik

Not long ago, Dinesh Karthik used to be a gold coin amongst all wicket-keepers in the IPL. Because of his flexible batting and dynamic experience, some teams even used to bag him for whopping amounts. In fact, even his last contract with KKR was around INR 7.4 Crores since IPL 2018.

However, as the gloveman has now reached the twilight of his career, the 36-year old would be barely on anyone’s wish list. Even in terms of piling big runs, Karthik lately has experienced three bleak seasons. Barring his breakthrough IPL season in 2018, Karthik has only amassed 253, 169 & 223 runs in recent times.

Hence with IPL teams looking to build their squads for a longer horizon, Karthik’s iffy batting and age might lead to him going unsold. Overall maybe a lower price tag would have helped DK bag a contract in IPL 2022.

3. Marchant de Lange

As a tall speedster, Marchant de Lange is a well-known name in the global T20 circuit. By representing more than 13 T20 teams across the globe, de Lange is chiefly identified for his express pace. Even in the IPL, the SA born cricketer used to represent teams like MI and KKR.

Perhaps in terms of his overall T20 record, the 31-year old has scalped a tally of 142 wickets from 125 games at an economy of 8.64. However, de Lange’s rapid pace is becoming a thing of his past. The tall pacer’s knack of constantly touching the 90 mph mark is sadly vanishing.

Therefore in a pool where the likes of Rabada, Pat Cummins and Trent Boult will be the top dogs, de Lange will get swayed completely. Overall, even if teams want to sign pace bowlers, then local spearheads will come to the fore. Possibly mid-way if any injuries happen then de Lange might play IPL 2022.

4. Imran Tahir

As a veteran of the shortest format, Imran Tahir is an adorable name across the globe. His well-proven leg-spin skills are widely cherished by most captains in T20 leagues. Despite being 42, Tahir still aims to play the 2022 World T20 for SA in Australia. In terms of his performances, the spinner has now bagged 435 wickets from 344 games in the T20s.

However in IPL 2022, Tahir may not find any buyer to take him on board. As the franchises will be looking to sign players for a longer duration, Tahir’s ageing body may not fit the bill. Also as the auction table will provide another plenitude of leg-spinners, the teams will conclusively move in that direction.

Nevertheless, even as back up, Tahir’s base price might become an abstaining point for the owners. Therefore, if the old master’s base price would have been around 1 crore or lesser then Tahir would have played IPL 2022.

5. Odean Smith

As a newbie in international cricket, Odean Smith had actually made his West Indies debut in 2018. By playing against Pakistan in Karachi, the pacer had a dull outing in his maiden T20I. However, from 2021 onwards, Odean’s bowling has taken a massive resurgence eventually making him again play for WI.

In the CPL 2021, the 25 -year old scalped 18 wickets from 11 games at an impressive economy of 7.54. Perhaps even in his latest international outings, Odean has just kept himself afloat. However, his position in the top bracket for IPL 2022 will, unfortunately, result in a no purchase situation.

Because the IPL franchises will receive a plethora of options to pick and choose from, hardly anyone will give regard to this speedster. Hence there are very high chances of this Caribbean bloke going unsold in the mega auction.