IPL 2022: Who Got The Best Deals?

We saw some interesting buys at the IPL auction this year. Bet Central and Ongama Gcwabe bring you an analysis of who made the best deals this year.

The 2022 edition of the IPL will run from 26 March to 27 April. Let’s look at the top deals of the year:

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Faf du Plessis (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

The move from Chennai Super Kings to RCB has been a masterstroke from Faf du  Plessis and the RCB franchise. The two brands speak the same language – “Play Bold”. 

Du Plessis has stellar IPL numbers. In 100 IPL matches, he averages 34.94 and has a strike rate of 131.08. He has almost 3000 IPL runs to his name. 

But more than the runs, catches and tactics, RCB have gained a leader and mentor in a perfect time considering the stepping down of former skipper, Virat Kohli. 

To make matters a lot more uncertain, RCB learnt that AB de Villiers wasn’t returning for another season as he retired in all forms of cricket in January this year. 

The signing of Faf brought about calm and certainty into the RCB camp. There couldn’t have been a worthier successor to Virat Kohli. This is the best deal of the season. 

Kagiso Rabada (Punjab Kings)

It was a shock not to see his name amongst those who were retained by the Delhi  Capitals seeing that he has been a top performer for many seasons. It was unthinkable that the Capitals would risk losing the KG-Nortje bowling partnership after last season’s performances. 

Punjab Kings secured the services of KG this season. This deal strengthens the Punjab bowling attack and complements the strong batting options that they have. 

KG averages 21.74 in 135 T20 matches and has 180 wickets to his name. He bowls at over 145 KPH and has variation as well. He is quickly becoming quite handy with the bat as well; he strikes at 108.36 and has the highest score of 44 in T20 cricket. 

Jofra Archer (Mumbai Indians)

This is one of the best deals in this year’s auction. The Mumbai Indians snatched Jofra Archer from the Rajasthan Royals at a very high price. The vision for the Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians is to add finishing touches to what is an already glittering set of fast bowlers. 

Archer will probably pair with Jasprit Bumrah; making them the most feared bowling pair this season. The two are known as one of the fastest bowlers in the world and they make an exciting combination for the fans, not so much for the batters. 

Archer has 159 T20 wickets at an average of 22.10. The 121 career matches show the experience of the man. This deal was one to break the bank for and Mumbai Indian is exactly that. 

Quinton de Kock (Lucknow Supergiants)

Like the Rabada-Delhi omission, seeing Quinton de Kock released by the Mumbai Indians was a shock. He has been incredible at the top of the order, alongside Rohit Sharma. The left-right hand batting combination started the innings superbly and was only going to get better this season. 

De Kock has over 7000 T20 runs in 237 matches. He has four centuries and has a career strike rate of 137.69. His attacking approach in the first powerplay can cause damage and he can go even better in the middle and death overs. 

At 29, De Kock has proven himself to be the best wicketkeeper batter after MS  Dhoni. The Lucknow Supergiants made a quality deal for a quality player.

David Warner (Delhi Capitals)

David Warner is right up there with the beat IPL opening batters in the history of the tournament. Also, in T20I cricket in general, Warner is one of the batters to reach the 10 000 runs mark. 

Sunrises Hyderabad wanted to move on from Warner and the Delhi Capitals needed his services to replace Shikhar Dhawan. To think of it, the Delhi Capitals have a fearsome opening pair in Warner and Prithvi Shaw. 

Warner will join Ricky Ponting at Delhi and we all know how Ricky is able to get the best out of Warner in white-ball cricket.