IPL 2022: 5 fresh faces who may attract decent bids in mega auction

1. Will Smeed

Will Smeed, a young and talented Somerset batter, entered the fray when he smashed a whirlwind 82 off 49 balls against Gloucestershire in only his second professional game in the 2020 T20 Blast. Since then, he has been riding a wave of success, culminating in an outstanding batting performance in the Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix.

He was the ‘Player of the Match’ on his Hundred debut. He scored 36 off just 13 deliveries in his debut match. In 25 domestic matches (all T20/100), Smeed has hit three fifties, 34 sixes, and 54 fours on his way to 645 runs. His career strike rate is 138 and he is averaging 29.11.

Will Smeed opens the batting and utilises the power-play restrictions to perfection. He plays the aggressor role flawlessly, allowing others to take their time on the crease. He has a diverse range of shots in his arsenal against both pace and spin.

Birmingham Phoenix advanced to the Hundred finals thanks to Smeed’s attacking play. His statistics may not reflect his ability, but the impactful innings he plays change the course of the game. IPL franchises should be aware of his range-hitting abilities, as he will be an exciting player to watch out for in the Mega Auctions.