The IPL 2022 season hasn’t yet begun and players have already started to pull out. It is generally a trend to see the English players move out of the IPL and hence Jason Roy too has pulled out. The England Cricket Board pays their players very well. The paycheques at times match the value of the IPL franchises. Jason Roy was the first-choice opener for the Gujarat Titans. Now the team has to look for backup options. Matthew Wade is already present in the Gujarat team and so is Wriddhiman Saha. But both these batsmen don’t give you the confidence that Jason Roy gave. Here is a look at the possible replacements:
1) Chris Lynn:
Chris Lynn can be the first-choice option for the Gujarat Titans. A similar attacking player to Jason Roy. Both the players are similar in style. They hit the ball a long way. Both the players like it when the ball comes onto the bat. Chris Lynn was an integral part of the Mumbai Indians last season. He did not get many games, but his presence made a difference. He has seen how things work in an IPL franchise.
2) Aaron Finch can be Bought in For IPL 2022:
Aaron Finch, the experienced Australian skipper can also be roped in. Finch has been associated with many IPL franchises earlier. He has a mediocre average of 28 in the IPL. But in this period of crisis, the Titans will not get a better option. Finch has played for Pune Warriors, Gujarat Lions, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, RCB, and Punjab Kings. He brings with him amazing leadership qualities too. How he went unsold in the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, is a big question?
3) Dawid Malan can be Bought in for IPL 2022:
The other Englishman who can replace Jason Roy is Dawid Malan. The left-hand batter is highly rated by the ICC. He is not the best attacking option. But he can give the teams a steady start. Dawid has the habit to make big scores. He isn’t satisfied with a small 30 or a 40. He converts the score to the 70s and 80s. Malan also brings in a lot of experience as Malan has been playing freelance cricket.
4) Martin Guptill:
This Kiwi can certainly replace Roy. His attacking style of play and game against spin will be ideal for the Titans. He can be a part of the leadership group too. Martin Guptill is the second-highest run-scorer in the international T20 circuit. The Titans can also look for him. Guptill will also be fully-available because he is not a part of the red-ball New Zealand circuit. He plays exceptionally well against the short balls too. The only concern is that Guptill is not very consistent. His average is a meager 28.
Honorable Mentions:
- Rillee Rossouw
- Andre Fletcher
- Ben McDermot
5) Dasun Shanaka can be Bought in For IPL 2022:
The team can maybe go for an all-rounder in the form of Dasun Shanaka. Dasun was all-over Twitter and Instagram on how he went unsold in the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. But his recent exploits against India in the T20I series will have caught the eyes of many IPL franchises. Any team looking for a finisher can go for Shanaka. But what the Titans can do is, they can promote Wade up the order and ask Shanaka to finish games for them.
Go to the official page of the BCCI to know more.
Go to the official page of the IPL to know more.