The Indian Premier League is one of the most opulent sporting events in the world, with millions being spent on prep and management. So it’s no surprise that franchise owners dish out the big bucks to secure the best world-class players for their teams. The economic backtracking of the world doesn’t seem to have affected this even after the pandemic, with some unprecedented purchases being made this season. So here’s a look at the 10 Most Expensive Players in IPL 2022.
1. Ishan Kishan – Rs. 15.25 Cr
Team – Mumbai Indians
The most jaw-dropping purchase of this year’s auction was made by Mumbai Indians for their star player of the previous season, Ishan Kishan. In the hopes that he’d work his magic this season as well, they prioritised buying him anew over adding other variations in skill to their team. In hindsight, however, the choice seems impulsive and unhelpful. He was out of form and struggling like most of his side this season and made only 370 runs in 13 games at an average of just over thirty. This seems to have been the case for most of the team as they sluggishly remained at the bottom of the table. However, things were especially challenging for Kishan as the holder of the tag for the most expensive player in IPL 2022. He has admittedly been concerned about his form, but believes that he’ll bounce back from this setback very soon. Fans and viewers hope that this is true because his hard-hitting innings from 2021 were sorely missed this year.
2. Deepak Chahar – Rs. 14 Cr
Team – Chennai Super Kings
It’s just so unfortunate that two of the 10 most expensive players in IPL 2022 were in the two worst-performing teams. Deepak Chahar, however, was in a particularly disadvantaged position because he was ruled out of the season due to his back injury from the T20 series in February against West Indies. He was initially supposed to play the later matches once his recovery at the National Cricket Academy was complete, but that did not materialize. The management of the Indian team as well as the BCCI want him to be in peak shape for the T20 world cup matches starting in October and thus asked him not to play the season. Thus, the team and the fans of the boys in yellow were deprived of some fantastic bowling this year, but here’s hoping we see him fit and in the form in his country’s colours soon.
3. Shreyas Iyer – Rs. 12.25 Cr
Team – Kolkata Knight Riders
IPL 2022 was a particular novelty with nine out of ten teams picking new captains, and KKR was no different. With the departure of Dinesh Karthik and the team management’s decision to not retain former skipper Eoin Morgan, they were in need of a new captain and Iyer seemed to be a perfect choice. KKR secured his services at a majestic price of Rs. 12.25 cr and at the end of their play this season, they hadn’t done as well as expected. They ended on the 7th spot on the table with 12 points and lost more matches than they won. Shreyas Iyer, however, hit some brilliant knocks through the season and led as a captain should. He was a worthy investment on the part of the KKR and if given the chance, can lead the team beautifully in the coming years.
4. Liam Livingstone – Rs. 11.50 Cr
Team: Punjab Kings
It’s always fun to see lesser-known names on the playing XI of a team and Liam Livingstone is no exception. With quite an impressive T20 history for England, Livingstone became one of the highest bids for Punjab Kings for a hard-hitting batsman at Rs. 11.50 cr. He was also the most expensive overseas player of this season. Livingstone proved his worth with multiple match-winning innings, most notable of which was the outstanding 49* off 22 against Sunrisers Hyderabad towards the end of the league stages. This year was also the first where a 1000 sixes were hit in the IPL and Livingstone has the record of hitting it, adding to the splendor of his performance through the matches. While the team didn’t do quite well enough to qualify for the playoffs, Livingstone’s performance proved that you can be a new name and yet have complete control and command over the fans and viewers when they’re batting.
5. Wanindu Hasaranga – Rs. 10.75 Cr
Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore
A first-time addition to the men in red and gold, Wanindu Hasaranga proved to be quite the catch in the auction for the RCB. He came into the team as a replacement for Adam Zampa and oh what a replacement it was! He took 26 incredible wickets through the season and was a real boon in the field. In particular, his catch that saved some vital runs and almost got Deepak Hooda out in the nail-biting Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants was quite the site. He picked up both a 4 and a 5-wicket haul through the season, becoming an integral part of the RCB attack that the captain and the team relied on throughout difficult situations. Hasaranga earned his place as one of the 10 most expensive players in IPL 2022. It’ll be quite interesting to watch his future in the IPL with the RCB after this.
6. Nicholas Pooran – Rs. 10.75 Cr.
Team: Sunrisers Hyderabad
Believing in a player and his ability to bounce back is a core necessity in good team management. SRH proved themselves by backing Nicholas Pooran, who had had a poor season the previous year. Not only did they show immense faith in him, they also dished out a fair sum to get him on their playing XI and made him one of the 10 most expensive players in IPL 2022. Pooran bounced back fairly well and scored some crucial runs for his new team in 2022. He made an impressive 306 runs at a strike rate of 144.34 with an individual highest of 64*. His comeback season has been a feat for him personally, with two half-centuries and runs that came off his bat at necessary times for the team. Here’s hoping we get to see him play more often for the SRH.
7. Harshal Patel – Rs. 10.75 Cr
Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore
The most coveted bowler of the season, Purple Patel was the source of a major bidding war between RCB and SRH at the auction this year. The Purple Cap Winner of 2021 was bought back by his team and proved to be a crucial asset despite a mid season injury. The pacer has been a death-over specialist for Bangalore, bowling some very menacing deliveries when the stakes are the highest. His 19 wickets this season came at essential times for his team. Patel is considered the backbone of the RCB bowling side and for good reason. His numbers have been consistent and he’s performed when the team has needed him most. So there’s not much to be surprised about when you see that he’s been bought back for a whopping Rs. 10.75 cr by his team and was chased after by others as well, despite the general budget crunch of some teams’ making him one of the 10 most expensive players in IPL 2022. It really is a delight to watch a player like him on the field. Here’s hoping we see more of him soon, hopefully in the blue jersey.
8. Shardul Thakur – Rs. 10.75 Cr
Team: Delhi Capitals
The most expensive pick for the Delhi Capitals had a quiet season for the most part, despite his experience in T20 pressure games. He took a total of 15 wickets this season, so there was a smattering of good bowling among quite a bit of mediocre work. However, he stepped up when his team needed him most in a do-or-die game against Punjab Kings, where he took 4 magnificent wickets and won his team the game that brought them closer to the playoffs. Despite having conceded over 450 runs, he’s considered a dependable bowler due to his immense skill and success for the Indian side. Let’s hope we see him in better form next season.
9. Lockie Ferguson – Rs. 10.00 Cr
Team: Gujarat Titans
After being dropped by the Kolkata Knight Riders following two great seasons, it came as no surprise when the debutant team from Gujarat picked up the Kiwi bowler for their most hefty buy. As the new team on the block, GT’s aim was to create a season-winning squad and Ferguson was a worthy addition to the side. He took 12 wickets for his team, a record second best after last season’s 13 for KKR. He’s been crucial to the bowling attack of the team and has played very well alongside the new team. GT has proved to be a cohesive unit this season and has picked players well to make a glorious side, and Ferguson has proved his place in this unit and his worth as one of the 10 most expensive players in IPL 2022.
10. Prasidh Krishna – Rs. 10.00 Cr
Team: Rajasthan Royals
It’s such a joy to watch young players be of such value to teams with legends. Prasidh Krishna ignited yet another very interesting bidding battle among the two new teams and Rajasthan. Eventually, the latter acquired his services for a small fortune of Rs. 10.00 cr. He was their most expensive buy and their most trusted bowler. The Indian pacer had had a good season in 2021 for KKR, but like Ferguson, was dropped from the side. Rajasthan benefited greatly from this buy through the season as Krishna took 18 wickets and was a huge contributor to RR’s campaign to the finals of IPL 2022. He took three essential wickets in the second qualifier against RCB to bring his team into the final game of the season and then a magnificent dismissal early on in the finals, restoring hopes for his team and its fans. It’s quite clear now that fans wish to see more of him so let’s hope we do.
Images Courtesy: iplt20.com
Creating a team in the IPL is no less than a gamble. It goes well sometimes and pear-shaped other times. However, it all makes for some very exciting viewing. The 10 most expensive players in IPL 2022 have added a great deal of value to the teams and the season. There have been hits and misses, but that’s all part of the game. The overall experience of the season has undoubtedly become better with the presence of these wonderful players.