IPL Mega Auction - Iyer's Intense Bidding War To Suresh Raina's Empty Bid, Lunch Report

The IPL Mega Auction 2022 halted after Auctioneer Hugh Edmeads collapsed midway through the allrounder set and the lunch was taken. Before the unfortunate incident, Wanindu Hasaranga's bidding battle was going on and his price went up to INR 10.75 crore. 

The Auction began with the marquee set. Shikhar Dhawan was the first player to go under the hammer, with Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals trying to pouch the left-handed opener. Later, Rajasthan backed out and soon Delhi followed the suit, meaning Punjab took him for INR 8.25 crores. 

Delhi and Rajasthan were in a fierce battle to pick ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin before the Jaipur-based franchise snapped him for INR 5 crores. 

South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada had a lot of interest shown from his former team Delhi and newbie Gujarat. The two franchises kept going till the bid hit INR 8 crores before Delhi pulled out and Punjab joined the bid. Eventually, Punjab got Rabada for INR 9.25 crores.

Trent Boult, who has taken 176 wickets in 149 IPL matches at an economy rate of 8.17 and has been brilliant with the new ball. Rajasthan and Royal Challengers Bangalore showed interest immediately. Then, Mumbai Indians jumped into the mix but Rajasthan eventually got him for INR 8 crores.

For India pacer, Mohammed Shami, Gujarat and Bangalore engaged for a while before the latter backed down. Lucknow joined in and started bidding with Bangalore. Bangalore looked good to rope in Shami but Gujarat returned and got him for INR 6.25 crores.

Faf du Plessis, the second-highest run-getter in the 2021 edition for Chennai Super Kings, had his former team showing initial interest. But Bangalore managed to get past Chennai and then had to go against Delhi. Eventually, Bangalore got him for INR 7 crores.

For South Africa keeper-batter Quinton de Kock, Chennai and Lucknow jumped in. His former team Mumbai came in too. Just as it looked like Lucknow had got him, Delhi jumped in. But Lucknow stayed solid and got him for INR 6.75 crores.

David Warner had interest from Chennai and Mumbai but Delhi got a value buy in Warner for INR 6.25 crores.

In the batter set 1, Manish Pandey attracted bid from Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals, who were later joined by Lucknow Super Giants, who also ended up buying the Indian batter for INR 4.6 crores. 

Shimron Hetmyer had only two bidders but the two went up to their limit to get the West Indian batter in the squad. Rajasthan finally got him for INR 8.5 Crore. 

Chennai Super Kings got their key top order batter, Robin Uthappa, back into the squad for the INR 2 crore base price. Jason Roy, too, was bought for the base price INR 2 crore by Gujarat Titans. 

South Africa's David Miller didn't attract any bidders and so did Mr. IPL Suresh Raina. The duo were joined by Steve Smith in the unsold players list. 

Devdutt Padikkal brought in great interest with Bangalore and Chennai starting the bidding war. Rajasthan and Mumbai also joined in the fun. Royals ended up winning the war as they got the opening batter for INR 7.75 Crore. 

The all-rounder set saw Chennai Super Kings bringing back Dwayne Bravo for INR 4.4 Crore despite some interest from Delhi and Hyderabad. 

Nitish Rana must have enjoyed the Auction as Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Lucknow battling it out to pick him. Rana eventually went back to Kolkata for INR 8 crore. 

Jason Holder's bidding war began with Mumbai and Chennai battle but it was Lucknow and Rajasthan who continued the battle. Holder eventually went with Super Giants for INR 8.75 Crore. 

Another surprising name got added in the unsold players list as Shakib Al Hasan failed to attract any bidder for the base price of INR 2 crore. 

Harshal Patel's dream run continued in the Auction too as he Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad were involved in an intense battle that went up to INR 10.75 Crore. Patel went back to Bangalore. 

Deepak Hooda, too, had a good auction where Rajasthan, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Lucknow, and Hyderabad getting involved in the bidding battle. Lucknow came out on top as Hooda went for INR 5.75 Crore.