5 players released ahead of IPL Auction 2022 who will be keen to impress in Vijay Hazare Trophy

#3 Khaleel Ahmed

Khaleel Ahmed celebrates a wicket for SRH. Pic: IPLT20.COM

With T Natarajan ruled out of IPL 2021 with a knee injury, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) other left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed had a good opportunity to impress as the lead pacer. He was given a few chances as well but turned out to be a disappointment.

Ahmed struggled with his consistency and claimed only five wickets in seven matches at an average of 43.80 and an economy rate of 8.11. Three of Ahmed’s five victims came in one match, which means he hardly picked up any wickets in the remaining games. The 24-year-old has been on the domestic scene for a few years and has, in fact, even played for India in the shorter formats.

Ahmed is representing Rajasthan in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He impressed with figures of 4 for 36 against Punjab. Although he went wicketless against Goa, he conceded only 28 runs in eight overs. Can Ahmed maintain his consistency, though?

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#4 Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda batting for PBKS in the IPL. Pic: IPLT20.COM

Hard-hitting batter Deepak Hooda has some serious talent with the willow. It was very much on display when he bludgeoned 64 off only 28 balls for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2021, a blazing knock which featured four fours and six sixes. However, Hooda he didn’t do much in the edition otherwise.

The 26-year-old ended IPL 2021 with unsatisfactory numbers - 160 runs in 12 matches at an average of 16 and a strike rate of 130.08. Hooda’s numbers were similar in IPL 2020, during which he scored 101 runs in seven matches with a best of 62 not out. While the potential is evident, Hooda hasn’t been able to translate it into worthy performances.

In Rajasthan’s first two matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he has registered scores of 24 and 18. Being the captain of the side, Hooda is expected to come up with better efforts in the upcoming matches.

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#5 Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma batting for SRH. Pic: IPLT20.COM

21-year-old Abhishek Sharma is a promising batter who can bowl some decent leg-spin. In a fragile SRH batting line-up, Sharma was given ample chances to make a mark. He was even promoted to the top of the order but failed to grab his opportunities.

Sharma demonstrated his talent with some impressive strokes but the conversation from good start to substantial knock did not happen. In the end, Sharma only managed to score 98 runs in eight matches at a poor average of 16.33 and a strike rate of 130.66. He did better with his left-arm spin, claiming four wickets at an economy rate of 6.40. Overall, though, he had a forgettable IPL season.

The youngster has failed to make an impression in the first two matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Punjab. Opening the innings, he scored 22 against Rajasthan and 9 against Railways. Sharma will need to do much more in the upcoming games to attract the attention of IPL franchises at the auction.