IPL 2022: Bengal Sports Minister Manoj Tiwary shortlisted for mega auction

Veteran Indian cricketer and current Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs in West Bengal, Manoj Tiwary has been shortlisted among the 590 names for the final list ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2022. The 36-year-old went unsold in IPL 2021 and last played in the tournament in the 2018 season for the Punjab-based franchise. Tiwary’s IPL experience from the past might help him get a buyer as he has played 98 games so far scoring 1695 runs at an average of 28.7.

Tiwary has been listed at the base price of INR 50 lakh and has played for various franchises in the past including the Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant and then Punjab Kings. The right-hander found a place in the Bengal side as well for the Ranji Trophy 2022 season until the tournament was called off and last played in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in January 2021.

Sreesanth, Pujara among the shortlisted names

India’s Test regular Cheteshwar Pujara has also been shortlisted for the upcoming mega auction after being part of the victorious Chennai Super Kings squad in 2021. The right-hander, however, did not play a single game in the season and is coming from a torrid time in the recent tour to South Africa. The 34-year-old has set his base price at 50 lakh and it remains to be seen if he gets a nod in the auction again.

Meanwhile, Sreesanth who last played an IPL game in 2013 for the Rajasthan Royals will go under the hammer in the mega auction after being registered at INR 50 lakh. The 38-year-old seamer went unsold in IPL 2021 after coming back from a ban in cricket following his alleged involvement in spot-fixing. He played the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy for Kerala in 2021 but did not take part in the recent season.

Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun Tendulkar has found a place in the shortlisted names for mega auction as well. The left-arm seamer was part of the Mumbai Indians squad for IPL 2021 but didn’t get a game. The IPL 2022 mega auction is scheduled to take place on the 12th and 13th of February in Bengaluru and it will be ten teams battling out in this edition instead of the usual eight teams.