IPL 2022: 9 Players who opted out of the mega auction

Well, the mega auction of IPL 2022 is just less than a week away. Out of the massive pool of 1214 players, a total of 590 individuals have been shortlisted by the franchises. In the marquee bracket of INR 2 Crore, about 48 individuals have been placed to start the proceedings.

However, though the mega auction has allured the interest of many top-notch cricketers, a bunch of them have still conclusively decided to opt-out. In between the IPL 2022, these few individuals will either take a complete break or might prepare themselves for red-ball fixtures.

Hence in this List, Let’s Check Out 9 Players Who Have Omitted Themselves from the Mega Auction of IPL 2022:

1. Chris Gayle

Unfortunately, the greatest T20 batter of this generation has opted out of IPL 2022. The Universe Boss who epitomizes the shortest format will no longer play the biggest T20 league. Though the reasons regarding southpaw’s exclusion are unclear, many speculate that the legend has already made his last IPL appearance.

Perhaps one of the strong reasons regarding Gayle’s omission could be his bleak T20 form. In the second half of 2021, the Jamaican had a horrendous time while representing WI both in 2021 World T20 and bilateral cricket. Even in IPL 2021, the 42-year old had a malfunction scoring mere 193 runs in 10 games.

Overall, with all franchises starting their new chapters, the longevity of players will also take precedence. That’s why the exclusion of the Universe Boss also indicates an end of a glorious IPL era. All in all, by finishing as IPL’s all-time seventh highest scorer, Chris Gayle has smashed the most sixes (357) and centuries (6).

2. Joe Root

For Joe Root, international cricket has lately not been any blissful. The horrific Ashes loss in Australia has raised many eyebrows regarding his captaincy. Many pundits have also opined that the 31-year old must relinquish his leadership position. Recently under his reign, England also experienced a near winless red-ball summer since 2001.

Therefore, to bring England’s Test team on track, Root has firmly decided to opt-out of IPL 2022. Though during the Ashes, the cricketer had expressed his interest to play the cash-rich league, the preference has now been given to play county cricket before their home summer begins.

Overall, before contemplating joining IPL 2022, Root had previously registered for a mega IPL auction in 2018. In terms of playing the shortest format, the red-ball skipper had last played for England in May 2019.

3. Ben Stokes

As one of the finest white-ball all-rounders, Ben Stokes can easily start a bidding war amongst IPL teams. In fact, every time the southpaw has entered the auction, whopping contracts have been offered to him. But unfortunately in the mega auction of IPL 2022, Stokes has decided to exclude himself.

Perhaps with regards to his omission, the 30-year old has decided to prioritize red-ball cricket. By playing the county games, the all-rounder wants to restore the normal services for both England and himself. In his last assignment against Australia, the southpaw poorly scored 236 runs from 10 innings. Even fitness-wise, Stokes had troubles with his bowling spells.

Overall, even in IPL 2021, Stokes had just played a single match wherein he then had broken his finger. Hopefully, maybe in the next IPL, the Englishman can again attract big offers from all franchises.

4. Sam Curran

For Sam Curran, his IPL 2022 exclusion has happened because of his recent injury. While playing the second half of IPL 2021, Sam had complained about his back issues. Later while going for his scans, it was revealed that the all-rounder had sustained a stress fracture. Perhaps in England’s last two mega assignments (World T20 & The Ashes), Sam was missing from the action.

Though from January 2022 onwards, the southpaw has started his rehabilitation. Even his comeback is expected to happen from the start of England’s domestic season in April-May. At present, the 23-year old is found to start with his net sessions at the Oval ground.

Overall, if the Englishman would have been fit, then maybe he would have got retained by the CSK management.

5. Mitchell Starc

In a true sense, the IPL has been waiting for a comeback of Mitchell Starc for the past 7 years. It was last in the 2015 season when the spearhead had played for RCB. Perhaps even recently in late 2021, the Aussie cricketer had expressed his wish to make an IPL reappearance. But eventually, again the pacer has prioritized his national duties.

In his statement, Starc highlighted that the 22 weeks of bio-bubble was the main reason for his omission. Though the 32-year old was just a click of a button away, he has decided to spend time with his family. Also, as the Australian cricket season ends around early April, the pacer will get adequate time to rejuvenate his tiring body.

Overall, the last time when Mitchell Starc was bought at the auction table was when KKR had signed him in 2018.

6. Kyle Jamieson

As a multi-format player of New Zealand, Kyle Jamieson has made monumental strides. In the past 12 months, the pacer has become a vital cog in NZ’s red-ball pace attack. Even with regards to playing T20s, Jamieson made his IPL debut in 2021.

However, for IPL 2022, the all-rounder has decided to skip the season. Because of playing continuous cricket in 2021, Jamieson has omitted himself to rest and work on his body. Also, because of being in excessive bio-bubbles, the 27-year old wants to spend appropriate family time during IPL matches.

Overall, the tall pacer had a decent IPL 2021 wherein a total of 9 wickets were scalped in 9 games. The NZ cricketer has also opined about certainly making a comeback in the next IPL season.

7. Chris Woakes

In the IPL, Chris Woakes has always enjoyed a fair demand. Despite his inconsistent appearances, the franchises have shown upright interest in him. So far the Englishman has been picked in four IPL seasons but in 2022 Woakes won’t be available.

Just like missing the IPL 2021’s second half, Woakes has omitted himself because of bio-bubble fatigue. As the 15th season of the mega league will contain more than 70 plus games, the all-rounder has found it very strenuous. Hence, just like other England players, Woakes will be found in action when the home county season begins.

Overall, the 32-year old has been part of IPL since 2017 and has in total played for three different franchises (KKR, RCB & DC).

8. Jhye Richardson

In IPL 2021, Jhye Richardson had made a grand entry. By receiving a whopping contract of INR 14 Crore, the Aussie had made a massive statement. However, unfortunately his performance was found to be very inferior and was unavailable for the second leg.

Perhaps even for IPL 2022, Richardson has decided to exclude himself. Though the exact reasons are unclear, the pacer has not penned down his name in the mega auction. Possibly because of his last minor leg issue, the cricketer might have decided to take an off.

In fact even in Australia’s upcoming Pakistan tour, the 25-year old has been told to rest. Hence the recent BBL 11 champion might have to wait a bit longer to improve his IPL records.

9. Tom Curran

Well, much like brother Sam, even Tom Curran is unavailable for the mega auction. Having suffered from a stress fracture in his lower back, the cricketer is expected to be out of action till late May. Very recently Tom was representing Sydney Sixers in BBL 11 and played four matches for them.

In terms of resuming his cricket, the 26-year old will be aiming to come back from the T20 Blast competition. Currently, under the supervision of his club Surrey, the pacer has been rehabilitating.

Overall, the Englishman has enjoyed decent demand in the IPL auctions. Previously, Tom has represented teams like KKR, RR and DC.