The IPL Auction and the buzz around it have had all of us on the edge of our seats. Recently Mitchell Starc showed interest in putting his name in the IPL 2022 Mega Auction after 6 long years. Fast Bowlers have always been an integral part of the shortest format. Over the years, the IPL has seen very good fast bowlers including Lasith Malinga, Dale Steyn, Brett Lee, and many others. But who are the top 10 fast bowlers in this year’s IPL Auction? Who are the top 10 Fast Bowlers who will take the big bucks home? Here is a look:
10) Prasidh Krishna/ Umesh Yadav:
The list of top 10 fast bowlers in the auction begins with Prasidh Krishna from Karnataka or Umesh Yadav. The similar skillset of swinging the ball in the first few overs and bowling cutters as a variation. Both the bowlers have express pace and constantly hit the 140+ kmph mark. Both of them are Indian which gives them an upper hand over the other overseas options. Prasidh is younger and this may make him the more preferred option.
9) Josh Hazlewood/ Mark Wood:
Mark Wood is currently the fastest English bowler. In the absence of Jofra Archer, he has made a big name for himself in the white-ball circuit. Mark Wood is a hit-the-deck bowler and is has express pace. He easily bowls over 145 kmph. His short ball is deadly. On the other hand, teams can also go for Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood has amazing control in the powerplay overs. A pitch like Mohali or Ahmedabad can do wonders to his game. Josh was an integral part of the team that won the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
8) Marco Jansen is one of the top 10 fast bowlers:
2 or 3 months back, Marco Jansen wouldn’t have made it to this list. But his performance against India in the test and white-ball series has proven us wrong. Marco has a knack for taking wickets. Jansen was scouted last year, by the Mumbai Indian’s management. This tall left-hander brings the ball in towards the right-handed batters. Jansen doesn’t have the express pace but his height gives him the added advantage. He has a good skill set with various options. This makes Jansen a complete package.
7) Deepak Chahar:
After being released by the Chennai Super Kings, Deepak Chahar is bound to earn big money in the IPL Auction. One of the top 10 fast bowlers in the country, Chahar is exceptional. Deepak Chahar comes from Rajasthan. He has previously played for the Rising Pune Supergiants and the Chennai Super Kings. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been his mentor over the years. Chahar can give you 3 controlled overs in the powerplay. He displays the exquisite skill of swinging the ball.
6) Shardul Thakur:
Shardul Thakur is on the list as a fast bowler but he can be named an all-rounder as well. Shardul has a knack for picking wickets. He is the man with the golden arm. His recent exploits with the bat give him an upper hand. He can easily bat at number 7 for any team. Shardul relies on variations like the slower ball, the knuckleball, and the cutters. Thakur is a complete T20 package. His fielding too is very good.
5) Trent Boult is one of the top 10 fast bowlers:
The left-hander from New Zealand was bound to be on the list of top 10 fast bowlers. Trent has improved his game fourfold in the past year. Boult was an important part of the New Zealand team that had a successful ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Trent was initially just a bowler for the powerplay overs but he has worked on death bowling too. His yorkers have become precise and quicker. Boult will certainly set the stage on fire in the auction.
4) Mitchell Starc:
Starc showed keen interest in signing up for an IPL team in a recent interview. He said, “It is certainly on the cards”. If Starc comes to the IPL, he easily becomes one of the top 10 fast bowlers in the auction. Mitchell helped Australia win the ICC T20 World Cup for the first time in 2021. Starc doesn’t need to prove his game as he has done it all. Being the “Man of the Series” in two consecutive World Cups defines the genius of this legend.
3) Mohammad Shami:
Starc could have been ahead on the list had he been Indian. But Mohammad Shami is one of the top 10 fast bowlers in the auction. Being Indian, Shami will be preferred by many franchises. Shami was initially just a red-ball bowler but then he improved his game to suit the white-ball format. After fighting personal demons in the year 2018 and 2019, Shami proved that he is a master of his art. A true warrior. He has a good set of variations and is a swift yorker.
2) Pat Cummins is one of the top 10 fast bowlers:
Pat Cummins will take a big bag of money home if he signs up for the auction. The only problem could be the Australia tour of Pakistan if it goes ahead. Due to that Cummins can miss the initial stage of the IPL. But investing in him could be a smart choice as it will be applicable for 3 long years. Cummins is certainly at the top of the list of top 10 fast bowlers. He has a good yorker and a well-directed bouncer.
Honorable Mention:
- Jofra Archer (Subject to fitness)
- Ishant Sharma/ Avesh Khan
- Harshal Patel
- Navdeep Saini
- Chris Jordan/ Lahiru Kumara
1) Kagiso Rabada:
KG Rabada will have all the 10 teams bidding for him when he comes to the IPL auction. Rabada is a top pick. He is super quick and very consistent. His ability to bowl yorkers makes him a deadly weapon in the death overs. We simply can’t forget the image where Rabada made Andre Russell fall on the ground in 2019 with his yorkers. This just defines the greatness of this magician. He also gives a few good overs in the powerplay. A wicket like Dharmshala or Ahmedabad will be ideal for KG!
