IPL 2022: 5 players from recent Vijay Hazare Trophy that might be on IPL franchises' wish list

The IPL 2022 mega auction is expected to take place in February.

The recently concluded domestic 50-over tournament, the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 saw Himachal Pradesh causing a huge upset, by winning the whole tournament, defeating Tamil Nadu in the finals. This was Himachal’s first-ever title win in India's domestic cricket.

Apart from this, many of the domestic stars came forth and showcased their prowess with either the bat or the ball and some with both. This might get them noticed by the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises who are gearing up for the mega IPL 2022 auction which is reported to take place in February next year.

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Not only the eight original franchises, but two new franchises will also be on the lookout for new talents which can bolster their chances of winning the tournament.

Therefore, TEAM COC takes a look at five such performers from the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021, which might get bids from IPL franchises in the IPL 2022 mega auction.

SHIVAM MAVI (UP)

Shivam Mavi came into the spotlight for helping the Prithvi Shaw-led India U19 team win the Youth World Cup in 2018. He was then picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise and was with them until IPL 2021 season.

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Mavi, who has been one of the best young pacers in Indian domestic cricket, fared extremely well for the Uttar Pradesh team in the 2021 Vijay Hazare Trophy, as he picked 15 wickets in 7 matches with a best of 4/26.

He has pace and the fact that he has gained good fitness to keep bowling at top speed for a long time, makes Mavi an enticing prospect for the franchises, looking for a young, Indian pace bowler able to hit the speeds of 140 kph plus.

CHETAN SAKARIYA (SAU)

Chetan Sakariya was the surprise package from the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL 2021, as the left-arm pacer from Saurashtra picked 14 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 8.19 and best bowling of 3/31.

He also had a good outing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 for Saurashtra, as he took 13 wickets in 7 matches with a best of 5/62 at an economy of 4.10. 

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Everyone was awed by his ability to swing the new ball and then come back in the death to bowl pinpoint yorkers and had all the variations needed to become successful in white-ball format. His performance in IPL 2021, also led to him making his India debut in Sri Lanka, picking 2 wickets in his debut ODI and 1 wicket in 2 T20Is he played against the same opposition.

Sakariya gives the franchises the option of a left-arm pacer who can bowl extremely well in death overs and can swing the new ball at the start.

RISHI DHAWAN (HP)

Himachal Pradesh captain Rishi Dhawan was by far the MVP of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 as he actually led the team from the front with both the bat and the ball. Dhawan has been part of the IPL for some time now and has even played a handful of international games for the Indian team.

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Dhawan was at the top of his game, as he made 458 runs in 8 matches with 5 fifties and one century at a strike rate of 127.22 and average of 76.33. With the ball, the Himachal captain picked 17 wickets with a best of 4/27 and an economy of 6 rpo.

Based on his current form, any franchise bidding on Rishi Dhawan will get an excellent all-rounder and someone who gives leadership advice as well.

KS BHARAT (ANDHRA)

Andhra batter-keeper KS Bharat did extremely well for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2021, where he not only kept brilliantly but made the no.3 batting spot his own. However, he wasn’t retained by the RCB, but thanks to his batting performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he is expected to garner interest in the IPL 2022 auction.

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He made 370 runs in 5 matches with 2 centuries to his name and was the first batter in tournament history to make back-to-back scores of 150 plus. He averaged 92.50 and had a strike rate of 108.18. He hit 39 fours and 15 sixes as well.

There are many teams who will be looking for a wicketkeeper who could bat in the top order as well and Bharat fits the bill perfectly.

SHAHRUKH KHAN (TN)

One of the players who is expected to break the bank in the IPL 2022 mega auction is Tamil Nadu’s power-hitter Shahrukh Khan. He already showed his hitting abilities for Punjab Kings in the IPL 2021, showing he could hit the long ball easily.

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Shahrukh scored 253 runs in 8 matches at an astonishing strike rate of 186.02 and averaged 42.16 with a best of 79*. He hit 20 sixes and 19 fours, often coming down the order with not many overs to get set.

With all the franchises on the lookout for an Indian finisher, expect a bidding war for Shahrukh Khan in the IPL 2022 mega auction.