Reports: At least two franchises wanted Chris Gayle's name to be included in IPL mega auction list

So, the final list of players for the hugely awaited 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auctions has arrived. A total of 590 cricketers have been shortlisted and will go under the hammer on 12th and 13th February 2022 in Bangalore.

However, one name that was absent from the list is West Indian cricket legend Chris Gayle. It has been reported according to Cricbuzz that 2 IPL franchises for whom Gayle had rendered his services in the past wanted his name to be included in the final auction list.

But then, Gayle decided that he will not take part in IPL 2022. Apart from Gayle, marquee cricketers Ben Stokes and Mitchell Starc were contacted for a recall, but they too will not take part in the IPL this year.

370 Indian cricketers have been shortlisted for the IPL mega auctions this year

370 Indian cricketers will go under the hammer in the IPL mega auctions this year. The 2022 edition of the IPL will be a 10-team affair, with 2 new franchises in Lucknow and Ahmedabad added to the fray.

The 2 new IPL teams have already picked their 3 draft picks ahead of the auctions. While the Lucknow franchise has picked KL Rahul, Marcus Stoinis, and Ravi Bishnoi, the Ahmedabad franchise has opted for Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, and Shubman Gill.

While KL Rahul will lead the Lucknow franchise, Pandya has been appointed as the skipper of the Ahmedabad franchise. KL Rahul will be paid a salary of INR 17 Crores, while Hardik Pandya will draw a salary of INR 15 Crores.

Also, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed that the 2022 edition of the IPL will commence in the last week of March, and it will be held in India. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) side led by the legendary MS Dhoni won the 2021 edition of the IPL. The ‘Men in Yellow’ beat the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) side in the summit clash of the tournament to lift their 4th title in IPL cricket.