IPL 2022 Auction: Hugh Edmeades return highlights dramatic 2-day auction with highs and heartbreaks

The loudest cheers at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 auction was reserved for auctioneer Hugh Edmedeas as he made a heartwarming return to the auction podium after he collapsed midway on Day 1 of the bidding process in Bengaluru, sparking concerns from the cricket community. The man who chipped in when Edmeades was not there, Charu Sharma was also one of the heroes of the mega auction that had plenty more than players getting sold.

Edmeades, a veteran of more than 2700 plus auctions across the globe, collapsed due to “postural hypotension” while he was conducting the bidding process for Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga early on Saturday. However, with timely medical attention, the 62-year-old was established and he opted for rest for the rest of the day.

However, he made a surprise return for the final hour of the auction on Sunday and every member present a the auction room stood up in admiration. Charu Sharma graciously handed over the auction gravel as Edmeades handled the death overs of the mega auction in which 204 players were sold for Rs 551.70 crore.

Before the final hour, Sharma handed the auction gavel back to its rightful owner Edmeades, who strode in nattily dressed in sharp suit as all teams stood up in admiration.

How heartening it is to see Mr. Hugh Edmeades – the IPL Auctioneer – back on the podium!

A round of applause for Mr. Charu Sharma, who took over the Auction proceedings in the absence of Mr. Hugh Edmeades. #TATAIPLAuction @TataCompanies pic.twitter.com/d2AlKH2PYo

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 13, 2022

A huge round of applause for Charu Sharma who stepped in at the last minute and conducted the #IPLMegaAuction seamlessly.

Respect to Hugh Edmeades who came back out and conducted the last couple of rounds effortlessly. #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2022 #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/2u0lJ5fyE7

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2022

IPL 2022 Auction: FULL LIST OF SOLD PLAYERS, COMPLETE SQUADS

On the business front, only Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders filled their quota of 25 players over the 2-day mega auction. Newbies Lucknow Super Giants were the only team to use up their full purse of Rs 90 crore but they finished with only 21 players in their squad. However, LSG have an envious line-up of domestic and overseas stars.

Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, the two most successful franchises, were cautious on the opening day despite spending big to bring a former player each but both teams were active towards the business end of the auction, making sure they had a squad to challenge for the IPL title once again.

Punjab Kings decided to break the bank to sign England’s T20 specialist Liam Livingstone, paying a staggering Rs 11.50 crore for him while MI, purely based on leap of faith, paid a whopping Rs 8 crore for an injured Jofra Archer despite his unavailability for the 2022 edition of the IPL.

The teams went big on current India players and largely based their decision on the form players from overseas with more focus on fast bowlers, not caring about reputations.

While the India internationals made merry with the likes of Ishan Kishan (Rs 15.25 crore), Deepak Chahar (Rs 14 crore), Shreyas Iyer (Rs 12.25 crore) and Shardul Thakur (Rs 10.75 crore) attracting 4 of the 5 most expensive bids at the IPL auction, there were heartbreaks for quite a few.

Here’s a look at the Top Buys of what has been an eventful #TATAIPLAuction 2022 @TataCompanies pic.twitter.com/vnFMj1NKj9

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 13, 2022

Some of the big names, including “Mr. IPL” Suresh Raina, senior fast bowler Ishant Sharma, Steve Smith, Eoin Morgan and Shakib al Hassan, did not find any takers.

DELHI, MUMBAI SHORE UP BOWLING

Delhi’s bowling attack where Anrich Nortje will be partnered by Shardul Thakur, Khaleel Ahmed, Chetan Sakariya and Kuldeep Yadav doesn’t inspire highest confidence.

Having lost Kagiso Rabada on the first day to a rampaging Punjab Kings, Delhi invested 5.25 crore on Khaleel Ahmed, who is known to leak runs in slog overs and Rs 4.20 crore on left-armer Sakariya who pace is limited to 130s.

The duo cumulatively cost them Rs 9.45 crore which is more than what Punjab paid for Rabada.

Similarly for Mumbai Indians, Tymal Mills despite his T20 exploits, has been a big flop in Indian conditions as he gets ready to partner Jasprit Bumrah and Daniel Sims in absence of Archer for the year.

MI is looking at Archer being one of their legends in the space vacated by Lasith Malinga and stay on for the next five to six years and are ready to sacrifice one year.

But Mumbai Indians’ x-factor player certainly was Singapore international of Australian origin, Tim David who was bought for Rs 8 crore.

David, who has played for RCB, is an all-rounder but known more for his big-hitting abilities. He produced 19 sixes in seven games for Multan Sultans in Pakistan Super League.

“Tim David is going to partner Kieron Pollard at number 5 and 6. Fortunately, he got a spell at RCB last year. so he has got experience of IPL.”

LUCKNOW IMPRESS BUT MISS BACK-UPS

Lucknow Supergiants have prepared a good first eleven with likes KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stonis, Manish Pandey, Krunal Pandya, Jason Holder, Mark Wood and Avesh Khan but look short on back-up in terms of batting reserves.

Manan Vohra isn’t simply good enough having failed in IPL for ages now. But if their first XI clicks, they are the team to watch out for. It is understood that Gautam Gambhir will speak to sworn enemies Krunal Pandya and Deepak Hooda to ensure harmony in the teams.

Hooda had left his first-class team Baroda, alleging that Pandya senior had bullied him and threatened to destroy his career.

SUPER KINGS BUILD A SOLID BASE

CSK spent heavily (around 4 crore) on big-hitting batting all-rounder Shivam Dube but got New Zealander Devon Conway for a steal amount of Rs 1 crore base price and little known Sri Lankan spinner Mahesh Theeksana.

They have their core in place and Dhoni will perhaps depend on Adam Milne to do the job alongside Deepak Chahar, Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja.

It would be interesting to note if Dhoni invests his time on young U-19 pacer Rajvardhan Hangargekar and builds him as one for the future.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE FARE BETTER

By their own poor standards of the auction, RCB had two good days at the IPL auction. The smart purchase of Faf du Plessis for Rs 7 crore, the push that they made for Wanindu Hasaranga and Harshal Patel, the pick of Dinesh Karthik and late purchase of Finn Allen and David Willey add firepower to their squad.

However, they might rue the absence of strong local players for middle-order slots. (WITH PTI INPUTS)