5 Blunders made by the teams in the 2022 IPL mega auction

So, we are done and dusted with the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. All the franchises finalized their squads ahead of the 15th edition of the Indian T20 extravaganza.

Ishan Kishan was the cynosure of all eyes, as the Mumbai Indians (MI) spent a colossal amount of INR 15.25 Crore for him. There was an intense bidding war for Kishan, with Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, and Sunrises Hyderabad (SRH) competing for the left-hander.

Deepak Chahar and Shreyas Iyer also struck massive deals and will receive salaries of INR 14 Crore and INR 12.25 Crore respectively. But then, the IPL franchises also made certain moves that might turn out to be blunders. In this article, let us take a look at 5 such blunders.

5. RR’s acquisition of Riyan Parag for INR 3.8 Crore

This was a decision that defied logic. Rajasthan Royals (RR) spent close to INR 4 Crores to purchase uncapped cricketer Riyan Parag.

Parag produced an abysmal performance in the 2021 edition of the IPL, and there were even questions about whether he should have been picked in the playing XI last year. In the 2021 edition of the IPL, the right-hander scored just 93 runs in 10 innings at an average of 11.63.

But in spite of that, RR splashed money to procure the services of a player who has not proved his mettle despite being given numerous opportunities.

4. CSK’s acquisition of Shivam Dube for INR 4 Crore

Now, let us take a look at the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) squad once. They already have 3 all-rounders in Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, and Dwayne Bravo who are sure starters in the playing XI.

And the question is, where will the CSK side fit Shivam Dube in the playing XI? The batting is strong with names like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, and MS Dhoni, and the all-rounders Jadeja, Bravo, and Ali can contribute handsome runs as well.

Yes, Dube can score quick runs with the willow but is definitely not a sure starter in this CSK side that already has its core intact.

3. Mark Wood being bought for INR 7.5 Crores

The Lucknow Super Giants spent a staggering sum of INR 7.5 Crores to get the services of Mark Wood. The right arm pacer has a very ordinary record in T20I cricket.

Wood has played 19 T20I matches, has leaked runs at a high economy rate of 8.76 per over, and also averages almost 25 with the ball as well. Wood is not consistent with his line and length, and spending over INR 7 Crore on the England pacer was not a smart move by the Lucknow side.

Also, Wood is not experienced in IPL cricket as well, and spending such a massive amount for the England pacer is surely a gamble.

2. Sunrisers Hyderabad spend INR 10.75 Crore for Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran was procured by the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) side for a colossal sum of INR 10.75 Crores. Pooran endured a torrid run in the 2021 edition of the IPL, where he could aggregate only a meager 85 runs in 11 innings at an average of under 10.

Even in the recent ODI series against the Indian side, Pooran cut a sorry figure, scoring just 61 runs in 3 innings at an average of 20.33. Yes, Pooran can smoke some big sixes but has been highly inconsistent.

And, spending over INR 10 Crore for Pooran is not a decision that was smart from the ‘Orange Army’.

1. Liam Livingstone picked by PBKS for INR 11.5 Crores

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) franchise spent a bomb, a whopping INR 11.5 Crores to buy Liam Livingstone in the IPL mega auction. The right-hander does not have a proven track record in IPL cricket, and averages just 14 in the 9 matches that he has played in the tournament so far.

Also, cricket expert Sanjay Manjrekar reckoned that PBKS’ pick of Livingstone was a gamble. Manjrekar also added that the England cricketer was dropped from the playing XI by the RR side last year after a string of failures.

“I still maintain that Liam Livingstone is a gamble, considering his previous IPL experience. he had around 6-7 failures for Rajasthan Royals. He was dropped and then brought back. But he just couldn’t get back to form,” said Manjrekar about Livingstone.