IPL 2022: 5 wicketkeepers who can come in as replacement signings

The 2022 Indian Premier League mega auction was conducted on February 12 and 13, with more than 200 players from several countries earning deals from ten franchises. The IPL management committee had divided a total of 600 players who made it to the final list into four sections – batters, bowlers, allrounders and wicketkeepers.

A team must have at least one wicketkeeper in their playing XI. Hence, franchises always prefer to have two to three options available as a backup for their primary wicketkeeper. However, several prominent wicketkeepers got no bid under their names in the mega auction. On that note, lets have a look at the five unsold wicketkeeper-batters who are favorites to be roped in by franchises as replacements.

1. Mohammed Azharuddeen

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammed Azharuddeen bagged the limelight after the batter was grabbed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in last edition of IPL at his base price of INR 20 lakh. However, the 27-year old did not get a game in the biggest cricketing league in the world last year and was released by RCB ahead of the mega auction. The Kerala-based batter had enlisted himself in the auction at the same price as last year, but did not get a single bid under his name.

Azharuddeen had performed exceptionally well in the 2020-21 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), scoring 214 runs at an average of 53.50 while maintaining a staggering strike-rate of 194.54 at the top of the order. However, the right-handed batter could not replicate his form in the recently conducted 2021-22 SMAT as he managed to score just 147 runs at an average of 21 in seven games he played for Kerala. His side was also knocked out of the competition after getting beaten by Tamil Nadu in the quarterfinals by five wickets.

Apart from his batting, the 27-year old is also safe keeper behind the stumps. Several franchises would be keeping an eye on Azharuddeen in case of any replacement has to be made. The batter can provide quick starts for his team while opening the batting.