Due to various factors, a few star players were not retained by their respective IPL franchises. Now, that leaves that IPL 2022 Auction in an interesting situation. Of course, before the bidding event, the Lucknow and the Ahmedabad franchise will make picks to their squads from the list of released cricketers. On that note, in this article, we take a look at the best playing XI of released cricketers before IPL 2022 Mega Auction.
Openers: KL Rahul and David Warner (C)
Since 2018, KL Rahul has been managing close to 600 runs in every campaign. This is astonishing consistency for a batsman in the league. In IPL 2020, Rahul was appointed as the leader of Punjab Kings. In him, teams would get a top-quality batter, a wicket-keeper and a captain. Many opine that he would be the highest-paid player at IPL 2022.
Prolific run-scorer David Warner had a field outing in IPL 2021. He was dropped, stripped of the captaincy, and the strong association with SRH came to an end. However, after winning the Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup, Warner’s stocks have risen again.
Middle-Order: Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan (WK)
Although Shikhar Dhawan is an opener, we could not put him in that slot. However, we could also not leave him from the best playing XI of released cricketers before IPL 2022 Mega Auction. Hence, the southpaw operates at No.3 in this XI. He has been consistent in the last few years for Delhi, and the franchise could try to buy him again.
Dhawan will be joined by the Indian duo of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan in the middle-order. While Iyer has left Delhi Capitals to seek a captaincy assignment, Ishan was surprisingly not retained by Mumbai Indians. Both are young cricketers and will be in great demand for IPL 2022.
All-Rounders: Ben Stokes and Hardik Pandya
Ben Stokes was the highest-paid player at IPL 2018 Mega Auction. However, the English all-rounder could not do justice to his price tag. Considering the uncertainty revolving around his availability, RR has released him. One of the best all-rounders in the game, Stokes will draw a big bid again, if he makes himself available for the event.
Hardik Pandya did not bowl in IPL 2021 and also underfired with the bat. This led to his release by Mumbai Indians. Nevertheless, Hardik’s situation can only improve from now. It is said that he is intent on delivering with the ball soon. He is likely to be picked by one of the newly formed teams.
Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Jofra Archer, Deepak Chahar and Yuzvendra Chahal
Rashid Khan will lead the spin attack of this best playing XI of released cricketers before IPL 2022 Mega Auction. After failing to agree to a deal with SRH, Rashid now finds himself at the doorstep of a new franchise. For the IPL fans, it will be interesting to see him in a jersey that’s not coloured orange. Yuzvendra Chahal, who was released by RCB, will partner Rashid in this department. Chahal came back to form in the UAE leg of IPL 2021 and might feature for a new team.
Jofra Archer and Deepak Chahar will comprise the core of the pace attack. If Jofra is fit and available, he is likely to set the auction on fire. Similarly, thanks to his powerplay bowling exploits, Deepak Chahar will also be in great demand at the auctions.
