IPL 2022: Predicting first-choice overseas players of each team

The IPL 2022 Auction saw bidding wars for various cricketing talents from all over the world. The two-day event was a much-awaited one for the cricket fans and finally, the franchises got their squads for the season. This season would give fans an eye feast with two new teams joining the cash-rich league.

The season will start on March 26 and would be ending in the final week of May. The season will be a little different from previous seasons as it will see a 10-team encounter with two brand new teams coming into action. The league is getting bigger this time and it is all set to gain more popularity in the coming years.

The IPL gives a platform for the Indian players but it also gives exposure to the overseas players and they also get indulged in the gala cricket event. Every IPL team has an iconic overseas player who has been doing well for the team in the last seasons. This season, the teams have bought some extraordinary T20 stars who are all set to represent their respective franchises.

In this article, we will predict team-wise four best overseas player combinations in IPL 2022

1. Chennai Super Kings

Devon Conway: The late bloomer has been doing really well for the Kiwi side since his international debut. He has been scoring runs at a consistently good average in all three formats. The franchise might use him to fill the position of Faf du Plessis as an opening partner of Ruturaj Gaikwad. CSK will want him to continue his international form in his first IPL season.

Moeen Ali: The role of the English all-rounder will be a huge one for the franchise in the upcoming season. The franchise backed him a lot in the previous season giving him the opportunity to play as at number three in the batting order despite having Suresh Raina too in the squad. He might be seen batting at number three and deceiving batters with his tricky off-spin.

Dwayne Bravo: Dwayne Bravo has been playing in CSK’s yellow for years. The veteran T20 star will wear the yellow jersey again in the 2022 season. It is said that the wrong side of the 30s is the right side of the experience and Bravo is a spot-on example of this. DJ Bravo has already retired from international cricket and most probably it will be the last IPL season for him too.

Chris Jordan: Chris Jordan is a nice addition to the CSK franchise. Jordan has played for most of the IPL teams and he has the experience of playing at this level. The England pacer is expected to take the responsibility of bowling in the death-overs with Dwayne Bravo. He has been one of the strongest blokes in the English limited-overs side in recent years.

Other options: Maheesh Theekshana, Adam Milne, Mitchell Santner, and Dwayne Pretorious

2. Delhi Capitals

David Warner: David Warner is the most successful overseas batter in the history of IPL. He has scored a lot of runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad but his stint with the franchise is now over and will provide his services for Delhi Capitals. He is expected to open the innings for the Delhi-based franchise alongside Prithvi Shaw.

Mitchell Marsh: The junior Marsh was the star behind Australia winning their first-ever T20 World Cup title in 2021. Marsh has played for various IPL teams over the years but is yet to leave his impact in the tournament. But, this can be the season for the Aussie all-rounder as DC can give him the responsibility to bat up the order.

Rovman Powell: The Caribbean batter recently became the second West Indies batter to score a T20I hundred after Chris Gayle. Like other West Indies players, Powell is also a good T20 cricketer with his powerful shots. The Caribbean hitter has done well in CPL over the years and is all set to play for Delhi Capitals in the 2022 season.

Anrich Nortje: The lethal South African fast bowler was brilliant for the DC franchise last season. He alongside Kagiso Rabada and Avesh Khan was unplayable for most of the batters. But now the responsibility will increase on his shoulders as Rabada and Avesh are picked by the other franchises. Nortje’s performance will be a vital one for the franchise.

Other options: Tim Seifert, Mustafizur Rahman, and Lungi Ngidi

3. Kolkata Knight Riders

Alex Hales: The hard-hitting English batter is all set to wear the purple and gold jersey in the IPL 2022 season. Hales is a quality limited-overs batter and a sound player to have in the team. The KKR franchise might give him the role of opening the innings with Venkatesh Iyer in the upcoming season. Hales is expected to play all the games for KKR this season.

Andre Russell: There is no second thought that Andre Russell will be the most important player for the franchise once again. Andre has won so many games for the franchise single-handedly. The franchise will want him to repeat his previous performances in this season too. The big-muscled all-rounder has been an asset for the Kolkata-based franchise.

Sunil Narine: Sunil Narine is on the list of the leading wicket-takers in the history of IPL. Narine has picked 143 IPL wickets in 134 games at a bowling average of 24.53. He is one of the most economic spinners you will ever see. He has maintained an overall economy rate of 6.74. He has been an integral member of the KKR franchise.

Pat Cummins: The Australian Test captain was among the selected marquee players in the auction. KKR had no hesitation in bidding for him. Eventually, KKR won the bidding war for Cummins. Cummins will be the most important fast-bowler for the KKR team. His ability to contribute with the bat can be very helpful for the franchise in the upcoming season.

Other options: Sam Billings, Tim Southee, Chamika Karunaratne, and Mohammad Nabi

4. Lucknow Super Giants

Quinton de Kock: Quinton was a steal deal for the franchise in the mega auction. He will be a superb addition to the franchise in the coming season. Having a player like him will be a blessing for the team. Quinton is expected to open the innings with KL Rahul and if it happens then LSG are all set to do well in their first season.

Marcus Stoinis: LSG picked Marcus Stoinis as one of the three draft picks before the season. The contribution of the Aussie all-rounder is going to be a vital one for the franchise. Stoinis did well for the Delhi Capitals in the last few seasons and due to financial issues DC had to release him ahead of the season. Stoinis will surely play all the games for the franchise.

Jason Holder: Jason Holder was a fantastic buy for the Lucknow-based franchise in the mega auction. He is counted amongst the best all-rounders in world cricket currently. The 6’7” fast bowling all-rounder is the man chosen to lead the West Indies side in Test matches. He will be an important part of the leadership group of the franchise.

Mark Wood: The English fast bowler is known for his pace. He has the ability to bowl consistently at a lethal pace. The LSG needed a quality overseas pacer to add balance to their side and Mark Wood is a very good option. His ability to contribute with the bat in death overs is a blessing for the Lucknow franchise.

Other options: Dushmantha Chameera, Evin Lewis, and Kyle Mayers

5. Mumbai Indians

Kieron Pollard: Kieron Pollard has been an integral part of Mumbai Indians for years. The franchise again showed faith in him and retained him for the 2022 season too. The main strength of Mumbai Indians has been their lower middle-order. He alongside the Pandya brothers used to thrash the opposition bowlers. MI have eventually lost the Pandya brothers so Kieron Pollard’s job will be much more important.

Tim David: Tim David has proved his mettle in various T20 leagues in the world but is yet to prove his worth at the IPL. David hails from Singapore which is not much known for cricket but he has kept his cricket on fire. Tim David was with Royal Challengers Bangalore last season but he didn’t get a fair chance to perform. Hopefully, the MI will back him.

Daniel Sams: Daniel Sams is a star in the Big Bash League. The Australian all-rounder is a valuable addition to the MI franchise. He has played previously for Delhi Capitals and has had some impressive performances for the franchise. He has got the perfect IPL team for him. Historically, Mumbai have backed the all-rounders a lot and they will need someone to replace the likes of Hardik Pandya in the team.

Tymal Mills: Tymal’s back of the hand slower-ones will help the Mumbai Indians in the upcoming season. Tymal is a T20 specialist and MI have got the death-overs bowling partner of Jasprit Bumrah in the form of him. Mills has to ability to deceive the batters with his several varieties of slower balls. Mills is highly expected to play all of the games for Mumbai Indians.

Other options: Dewald Brevis, Riley Meredith, and Fabien Allen

6. Punjab Kings

Jonny Bairstow: Punjab Kings were the highest bidders for Jonny Bairstow in the mega auction for IPL 2022. Punjab Kings have gathered a solid-looking middle-order for the 2022 season. Jonny Bairstow’s contribution will be vital for the franchise as Jonny has had some fantastic seasons with Sun Risers Hyderabad. He is an integral part of the English limited-overs side as well.

Liam Livingstone: Liam Livingstone will provide his services for the Mohali-based franchise this season. He is all set to slam big maximums for his new franchise. Liam is one of the most talked-about T20 cricketers among the current lot. He will take responsibility for Punjab’s middle-order and will have the role of scoring at a high strike rate.

Odean Smith: Odean Smith is the newest T20 sensation from the Caribbean islands. He is a reliable lower-order batter and a good medium-pacer. The 25-year-old has got his first IPL contract and will make his IPL debut in 2022. His performances in the recently concluded India-West Indies T20 series were very impressive and he was expected to make crores from the auction and the same happened.

Kagiso Rabada: Kagiso Rabada is one of the top fast bowlers in world cricket. PBKS spent 9.25 crore on the South African pacer after a long bidding war with Delhi Capitals. Kagiso Rabada will have the responsibility to lead the bowling lineup of Punjab. He has been the winner of Purple Cap in the 2020 season with the Delhi Capitals.

Other options: Nathan Ellis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Benny Howell

7. Rajasthan Royals

Jos Butler: The Rajasthan Royals showed faith in Jos Butler and retained him alongside Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal for the 2022 season. We can see Jos Butler winning games for Rajasthan Royals once again. Jos Butler has become an integral part of Rajasthan Royals in a short span of time and will serve the Jaipur-based franchise for this season as well as upcoming many more seasons.

Shimron Hetmyer: Shimron Hetmyer has moved to Rajasthan Royals for the 2022 season. Rajasthan have had quality middle-order batters like Ben Stokes in their team but unfortunately, Stokes will not be a part of the 15th edition of IPL. Hetmyer has been an important member of the West Indies cricket team in recent years and RR will want to repeat his international performances for them too.

Jimmy Neesham: The Kiwi all-rounder role will be very vital for RR. He is a quality all-rounder with a lot of experience playing the highest-level cricket. Jimmy Neesham has played some seasons of IPL but he has not had any stand-out season. He as well as his franchise will want him to contribute both with his bat as well as the ball.

Trent Boult: The fiery pacer is all set to break the furniture of the opposition batters for the Rajasthan Royals. The franchise representatives in the auction were very delighted when they successfully managed to buy him. Trent Boult did a fine job for Mumbai Indians in the last few seasons and RR will want the same performances from the southpaw.

Other options: Obed McCoy, Daryl Mitchell, Rassie van der Dussen, and Nathan Coulter-Nile

8. Royal Challengers Bangalore

Faf du Plessis: The former South African captain is expected to lead the side in IPL 2022. The franchise will want many more things other than his batting contribution. Virat Kohli declared in the middle of the previous season that he will not captain the RCB side from 2022. Faf is expected to be the new skipper of the franchise and take the legacy of RCB to new heights.

Glenn Maxwell: The Australian all-rounder had a fabulous season with RCB in 2021. His performances were so brilliant that RCB decided to retain him for the 2022 season too. His role will be to score quick runs in the middle-overs and finish the games whenever he gets the opportunity. Maxwell is going to be a vital bloke for the franchise.

Wanindu Hasaranga: RCB spent a whopping amount of 10.75 crores on Wanindu Hasaranga to let him play for them. Wanindu has been the most consistent performer for the Sri Lankan national cricket team in the last few years. He is a multi-dimensional cricketer and RCB needs a player like him who can fix the finishing woes of the franchise for years.

Josh Hazlewood: The Australian pacer has been picked by RCB for the 2022 season. His role will be to start the proceedings for RCB when they will take the field to bowl. Josh is not much known for his performances in 20-over format but he is a top-class bowler and the backbone of Australian fast bowling. We will see him bowl for the RCB.

Other options: Finn Allen, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Behrendorff, and David Willey

9. Sunrisers Hyderabad

Kane Williamson: Sunrisers retained Kane Williamson ahead of the mega auction and he will lead the side in the upcoming season. The Kiwi skipper has been playing for SRH for years. He has captained the Hyderabad franchise earlier too. He won Orange Cap too while playing for the Hyderabad-based franchise and will have an added responsibility on him in the absence of David Warner.

Nicholas Pooran: Pooran has been the most consistent performer from West Indies in the last few years. In the recently concluded India series, he scored 184 runs in three innings scoring fifties in all three games. Hyderabad have spent crores on him and will expect him to take the charge of scoring quick runs throughout the innings.

Aiden Markram: Aiden Markram is a world-class batter from South Africa. He is an exciting addition to the franchise and will provide his quality services to SRH. Aiden is among the highly rated batters from the current generation and has all the gears that a T20 batter should have. With the quality of batting, he is expected to give stability to SRH’s middle-order in the 2022 season.

Marco Jansen: Marco Jansen made his IPL debut even before making his international debut for South Africa. He was brilliant in India’s recent tour of South Africa when Jansen troubled Indian batters and was unplayable on a few occasions. SRH had no second thought while bidding for him and they eventually managed to buy him for 4.2 crores.

Other options: Romario Shephard, Sean Abbott, and Glenn Philips

10. Gujarat Titans

Matthew Wade: The Australian wicketkeeper was one of the last few picks of GT at the mega auction. The Aussie might not get his favorite position to bat in GT’s middle-order but will have a bigger role to play for the side. Wade is a very dependable batter and is very flexible with his batting position so GT might use him as a floater.

David Miller: Gujarat Titans will be badly missing Jason Roy after the English opener pulled out of the tournament at the last moment due to bubble fatigue. Miller, the Proteas finisher, is expected to get a chance in the middle order. The South African dasher can turn the tide towards his side in the middle and death overs.

Rashid Khan: Rashid Khan has been a mystery in IPL for years. Even after playing for a good amount of time, he is still unplayable to many batters in world cricket. He alongside Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill were the draft picks of Gujarat Titans before the auction. Rashid will be one of the most important players for the franchise in 2022.

Lockie Ferguson: The lethal pacer from New Zealand will have a huge role for the brand new Gujarat Titans team. Lockie did well while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders in a few seasons. Lockie will lead the attack of GT’s fast bowling and will also have the responsibility to mentor the other bowlers who will bowl with him. Ferguson can be a trump card for the Ahmedabad-based franchise.

Other options: Noor Ahmad, Dominic Drakes, and Alzarri Joseph.