IPL 2022: Top 5 unsold players from mega auction Day 1

The IPL 2022 mega auction got undergoing in Bengaluru on Saturday. Over 590 players had registered themselves. The first day of the auction has seen a series of dramatic bidding wars. Ishan Kishan became the second-highest Indian buy ever in the auction after he was brought for INR 15.25 crore by his former franchise Mumbai Indians.

However, the first day of the auctions also saw a lot of big names go unsold as well. Here are some of the biggest names that went unsold on the first day of the IPL mega auction 2022:

1. Suresh Raina

One of the biggest upsets on day one of the mega auctions was when former Indian all-rounder Suresh Raina‘s name found no takers on the first day. One of the members of the victorious Indian squad at the World Cup in 2011 and Champions Trophy 2013, Raina failed to attract any bids from either of the 10 franchises.

Raina had represented the Chennai Super Kings since the inception of the tournament, barring 2016 and 2017 when the side was suspended. Raina, who is known as MR. IPL, has scored more than 400 runs in almost all the seasons he has played for CSK. He is currently the fourth-highest run-getter in IPL, having managed to score 5528 runs in 205 matches at an average of 32.51.

Raina hasn’t been able to shine with the bat since the last couple of seasons and therefore, owing to his lack of form, CSK did not try and buy him back in the auction. However, with another day to go for the auction, it’ll be interesting to see if sides take interest in the former Indian cricketer.

2. David Miller

The South African middle-order batter was one of the most surprising names that did not find any bidders. Miller has made his name around the world as a destructive batter with the ability to pulverize any given bowling attack on his day.

2014 was the year of “Killer Miller”. He scored 446 runs at a mind-boggling strike rate of 149.16 and an outstanding average of 44.6. But since then Miller has not been able to replicate the same kind of performance for the sides he has featured. Miller scored his only IPL ton in 2013 when he scored 101*. Over the years, he has played for the then Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

However, we got to see glimpses of the old Miller last season, and given his experience playing in the shortest format, teams will surely consider him as an option heading into the second day of the auction.

3. Steve Smith

Third in the list of biggest names to go unsold in the auction was former Australian skipper Steve Smith. Smith has captained Rajasthan Royals and the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants. A world-class player like Smith not finding any bids was pretty surprising.

The right-handed batter has played 103 matches in the IPL scoring 2485 runs at an average of 34.51 with a strike rate of 128.09. Smith’s best year in the IPL came in 2017 when he was a part of the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants when he scored 472 runs in the season at an impressive average of 39.33. But since then the 32-year-old has failed to cross 400 runs in any of the seasons that followed.

But this does not mean the end for Steve Smith in this year’s IPL. He has loads of experience as he has played in T20 leagues all around the world as well as for Australia at the international level, sides might look to acquire him on the second day of the auction. Teams will also be wary of the fact that Smith provides an all-around leg-spinning option as well.

4. Shakib Al Hasan

One of the most surprising names to go unsold on the first day of the IPL mega auction is all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. The Bangladesh all-rounder was supposed to be one of the most strategic options in the auction with his wily off-spin and the stability he provides in the middle order.

With a base price of INR 2 crore, Shakib’s name did not attract any bids from any of the 10 franchises. The left-hander has played 71 matches across the season of IPL he has featured in, scoring 793 runs at a below-par average of 19.82 with a strike rate of 124.48. With the ball in hand, he has taken 63 wickets at an average of 29.19 with an impressive economy of 7.43.

With the majority of matches being played in India that offer enough purchase for spinners, Shakib might be picked in the auction on the second by sides that will be looking for an experienced bowling all-rounder. The 34-year-old has loads of experience playing in leagues all around the world and also on the Indian pitches playing for Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

5. Mohammad Nabi

The last name on the list of the biggest names that went unsold on the first day of the mega auction 2022 is Afghanistan’s star all-rounder Mohammad Nabi. The 37-year-old, who featured for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the previous editions, did not attract any bidders on the first day of the auction.

The off-spinning all-rounder has played in 17 matches in his brief IPL career. He has scored 180 runs in those 17 matches at a strike rate of 151.26. With the ball in hand, he has taken 13 wickets with a decent economy of 7.13. Sunrisers had released the all-rounder ahead of the IPL mega auction 2022.

He may have gone unsold on the first day, but the experienced Afghanistani all-rounder might attract bids on the second day owing to his big-hitting prowess and the ability to provide four overs without conceding much with the ball in the hand. He is currently the No.1 ranked all-rounder in international T20 cricket, something that might boost his probability of being picked on the second day.