IPL 2022 Mega Auction: Daryl Mitchell slept thinking he remained unsold before Rajasthan Royals picked him

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction was certainly action-packed as several players went massive under the hammer. While several prominent names didn’t attract a single bid, many stars bagged maiden IPL contracts amid their impressive show in recent past. New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell belongs to the latter category. Inaugural-season champions Rajasthan Royals bought the dasher for his base price of INR 75 lakh in the fag end of the auction event.

It must be noted that Mitchell went unsold when his name popped up in the first round. He subsequently went to the sleep, thinking he couldn’t make it to the mega event. However, he woke up to the news that Rajasthan Royals have signed him. The official Twitter handle of New Zealand Cricket shared his reaction.

The clip also features the New Zealand’s bowling coach and former Australian cricketer Shane Jurgensen pointing out the benefits players get in IPL. “What’s it like to be picked up in the @IPL Auction for the first time? Find out from @dazmitchell47 who will be joining @rajasthanroyals this season and hear from bowling coach @shanejurgo about the benefits of players getting experience in the IPL. #CricketNation,” read the caption of the post.

What's it like to be picked up in the @IPL Auction for the first time? Find out from @dazmitchell47 who will be joining @rajasthanroyals this season and hear from bowling coach @shanejurgo about the benefits of players getting experience in the IPL. #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/EnOGZLXbiE

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 15, 2022

Looking forward to the experience in IPL 2022:Daryl Mitchell

“It was a bit of bizarre experience. Me and my wife watched for little bit last night. They didn’t pick me for the first time. So, we went to sleep thinking that it was all done. Then I wake seeing I have been signed by Rajasthan Royals,” said the all-rounder in the clip.

“It’s pretty cool and I am really looking forward for the experience in the next few months. It’s the biggest T20 competition in the world and to go out there and rub shoulders with some world-class players is going to help you become a better player,” added the 30-year-old.

Pointing out the benefits of IPL, Shane Jurgensen  said:“The depth at the moment is fantastic, it is a testament of the efforts that go behind to produce, and develop players, and also help their careers. It’s a fantastic game of cricket.”