IPL 2022: 3 teams that might target Dwayne Bravo in mega auction

It is difficult to associate Dwayne Bravo with any team other than the Chennai franchise. Destructive with the bat, ball and on the field, he often defies his age. At 38, he still has a lot of tricks up his sleeve, deceiving batsmen with the ball and attacking bowlers with the bat.

It would have been a tough the CSK franchise to release a number of their star players ahead of the mega auction. One such player was Dwayne Bravo. Ending a successful 2021 season and helping CSK lift their fourth title, Bravo has decided to continue entertaining and playing the IPL by registering at a base price of INR 2 crore, the highest bracket. With a lot of cricket left in him and a lot of big names going under the hammer on February 12 and 13, let’s look at

Three teams that might target Dwayne Bravo in IPL 2022 mega auction:

1. Delhi Capitals 

Since its rebranding in 2019, the Delhi Capitals have continued to climb higher every passing season. Getting the ‘Q’ against their name for three successive seasons now for the playoffs, the team will come into the tournament with a lot of expectations. The Delhi franchise has previously managed to create a team with a fine blend of experience and youth. It will be interesting to see how they structure their squad in the Mega Auction 2022.

Delhi Capitals stuck to their ideology by placing emphasis on the youth while releasing their retention list. What the Capitals have lacked in recent times is the experience to stand up and deliver during the big games and deciders. With the likes of ravishing Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Prithvi Shaw and Anrich Nortje, the addition of Dwayne Bravo could just lead them to their first title, having already been a star member of 16 tournament-winning teams.

Releasing Marcus Stoinis means the team to look out for an all-rounder and a like for like replacement. Dwayne Bravo does not only provide the DC team with a three-dimensional option but a bowler who can single-handedly win games in the death overs. While Dwayne Bravo is still a match-winner, his age (38) will surely be a talking point during the bidding. Stepping in with 47.5Cr, DC might not have to tackle a bidding war and can boost their squad with a champion all-rounder.

2. Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings’ strategies would be the one to watch out for in the Auction 2022. Entering into the 15th edition as the defending champions, the Men in Yellow are known to field a formidable side each season. With 48 crores in their kitty, the Chennai team will surely look to reunite with their Caribbean star all-rounder Dwayne Bravo.

It is hard to imagine a successful CSK season without the contribution of the all-rounder. Donning the yellow for nine seasons, he has emerged as the side’s highest wicket-taker in their history scalping 167. His heroics with the ball and his occasional explosive innings with the bat have helped the side cross the line multiple times and led them to three IPL trophies. Despite a few niggles in the last season, he ended with 14 wickets and 47 runs.

CSK, as a franchise, is known to buy back its marquee players. While he has been instrumental in the team’s success, it would have been a tough call to release him and retain a younger lot. A handy finisher, a death bowler and an entertainer, Bravo has shown his loyalty towards the Yellow Army across the world. He would hope to continue his final years of cricket in the CSK yellow, while the team might look at acquiring him the way they bought him back in the auction in 2018.

3. Rajasthan Royals

Ever since Shane Watson, the Rajasthan Royals franchise has struggled to perfectly replace the foreign all-rounder. Not only this, they have not managed to make it to the finals since the tournament’s inaugural season. Ending as one of the bottom teams for three consecutive editions now, RR would look to fill out this conundrum at the auction. One player the team might target is DJ Bravo.

Looking back at the 2021 bowling stats, the Rajasthan franchise has the worst economy rate in the death overs. At an average rate of 10.24, they have leaked runs at the back end of the innings and have certainly not identified their death bowlers. The team invested a huge chunk of their purse to acquire Chris Morris for 16.25 crores, but his performances didn’t justify the price. While he ended as the side’s highest wicket-taker, it, unfortunately, came at an economy rate of 9.17. He never got going with the bat either, resulting in him getting released by the franchise.

Dwayne Bravo is a death-over specialist. Bowling at the death for CSK last year, he went for just 7.81, something which the RR team would long. Not just this, his contributions with the bat have not changed either, as he is still capable of producing destructive innings. He may not be the Bravo he was a couple of years ago, but he is still one of the best in the business. With a hefty 62 crores, it will be a boon for Rajasthan Royals if they could sign him as their overseas player in the squad.