IPL 2022 Auction: 7 foreign players who could be extremely valuable picks

#4 Jason Holder (England)

IPL Record: M 26 | R 189 | Ave 14.5 | SR 121.2 | W 35 | Ave 22.5 | Econ 8.2

Jason Holder has emerged as one of the finest all-rounders in the game.

Base price: ₹1.5 crore

• Chennai Super Kings: 2013
• Sunrisers Hyderabad: 2014, 2020-21
• Kolkata Knight Riders: 2016

Jason Holder has only grown in reputation over recent years, emerging as one of the finest all-rounders in the modern game. His prowess across formats has benefited West Indies cricket and the franchises he has played for. In the last two seasons, he was one of the key players for SRH.

The former West Indian captain is a genuine bowling option and an intelligent batter down the order who can clear the ropes at will and play the waiting game if required. It won’t be a surprise if SRH try to pick him up in the auction again.

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#5 Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

IPL Record: M 50 | W 76 | Ave 20.5 | Econ 8.2

Kagiso Rabada is among the finest bowlers in the world at the moment.

Base price: ₹2 crore

• Delhi Capitals: 2017-21

When we talk about the best cricketers in the world across formats, Kagiso Rabada is right up there. In the IPL 2020, he won the Purple Cap but wasn’t at best the following season, which led Delhi to retain his South African teammate Anrich Nortje ahead of him.

Fast bowlers have big egos, and Kagiso Rabada is no different. He may have taken the rejection to heart, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if we witness him at his best level in IPL 2022.

Fierce with the new ball, a wicket-taker in the middle overs and fantastic at the death, Kagiso Rabada is one of the bowlers who’s expected to fetch giant bids at the auction. From defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to the most successful franchise Mumbai Indians (MI), the 26-year-old will be on the wish-list of most teams.

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#6 Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand)

IPL Record: M 22 | W 24 | Ave 27 | Econ 8.1

An asset in white-ball cricket, Lockie Ferguson is one of the fastest bowlers in the world.

Base price: ₹2 crore

• Rising Pune Supergiant: 2017
• Kolkata Knight Riders: 2019-21

A tearaway fast bowler who clocks over 150 kmph at will, Lockie Ferguson is an asset to have in white-ball cricket. His tryst with injuries is a significant drawback that could go against him, but otherwise, expect big bids for him.

The combination of his ability to clock raw pace and good variations, including a good bouncer, makes Lockie Ferguson a genuine match-winner. Like Rabada, many teams will also have the 30-year-old Kiwi on their wish list.

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#7 Liam Livingstone (England)

IPL Record: M 9 | R 112 | Ave 14 | SR 125.8

A precious all-rounder, Liam Livingstone is one of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball.

Base price: ₹1 crore

• Rajasthan Royals: 2019, 2021

One of the most destructive white-ball cricketers, Liam Livingstone, hasn’t yet set the IPL stage on fire with his limited appearances. The world noted his abilities during the T20 World Cup last year when he scored crucial runs at a strike rate of 159 and also turned matches with the ball, averaging 14.

Livingstone’s T20I strike rate of 163.4 is the second-highest for any batter from a full-member nation with over 250 runs in T20Is, behind Australia’s Andrew Symonds, who struck his 337 career runs at 169.3.

A fantastic striker, good fielder and a bowler who can bowl both – off and leg-spin, Livingstone could break the bank in the upcoming auction. Teams like KKR, RR, DC, RCB and even new teams like Lucknow and Ahmedabad could target the English all-rounder.

Notable misses from the list: Pat Cummins (Australia), Alex Hales (England), Jason Roy (England), Trent Boult (New Zealand), Jonny Bairstow (England), Mark Wood (England) and Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa).