The mega auction ahead of the IPL 2022 was scheduled from the 12th to 13th of February wherein all the franchises drafted in every possible preferable player to fill in their lineups suitably so that they could plan out their strategies for the IPL set to commence from the 26th March.
Right after the mega auction successfully came to a close after the stipulated time period was over, some of the players who were included by the teams in their squads pulled their names out of the prestigious tournaments sighting various reasons.
After the confirmation of the unavailability of the players, the franchise would be roping in the most possible replacement option so that another player could fill in the spot of the former whose services shall no more be available to the side for this season of the IPL. Following are the details of the IPL 2022 Replacement Players:-
1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
The 20-year-old batsman who hails from Afghanistan has been brought in by Gujarat Titans into their squad as a replacement for Jason Roy. The English batter who was roped in by Gujarat in the mega auctions for a price of around 2 crores withdrew his name from the tournament recently due to the fact that he couldn’t afford to stay in the confined bio bubble throughout the league which would keep him away from his family, newborn baby for close to two months.
Rahmanullah who shall be replacing Roy has shown enough qualities with the bat in the shortest format of the game in the recent past. The youngster amassed 139 runs in 6 games while representing Islamabad United in the PSL-2022, with a strike rate of 180.7. Gurbaz will be joining compatriots Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad in the Gujarat team.
He becomes the fifth Afghan in the league which also has Mohammad Nabi (Kolkata Knight Riders) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (Sunrisers Hyderabad) from the country. The fact that he can also take up the responsibilities of a wicketkeeper at times makes him even more useful for his side on any given occasion.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (T20I Stats):-
Matches – 20, Runs – 534, Average – 26.7, Strike Rate – 137.6
2. Aaron Finch
Australian white-ball captain, Aaron Finch has joined the Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the IPL 2022 as a replacement. The player who has withdrawn himself from the tournament is Alex Hales, another Englishman. Alex Hales was a part of the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League 21-22 season and represented his team on 13 occasions that season due to his team being the worst covid hit side in the league.
His next job was to deliver for his franchise Islamabad United in the PSL. He played in seven matches for Islamabad United before pulling out due to bubble fatigue, which also is the reason for him to not participate in the IPL-2022.
Finch who did not find any team bidding for him in the mega auction now has the task to replace Hales for KKR this season. The explosive opening batsmen who boast wonderful numbers at the age of 35 in white-ball cricket. Finch has first-hand experience of playing in the IPL many times before, having represented the Royal Challengers Bangalore last season.
He’s been a regular opener for his side both in domestic leagues as well as for his country in the international tournaments. His ability to provide quick free-flowing starts to his side in the early stages of the powerplay shall be useful to his side. Aaron Finch with his leadership experience too shall be handy for his side as he might assist a certain Shreyash Iyer during several match situations.
Aaron Finch (IPL Stats):-
Match – 87, Runs – 2005, Strike Rate – 127.7, Average – 25.7
3. Andrew Tye
Australian Pacer, Andre Tye has been brought in by the Lucknow Super Giants as a replacement for English pacer Mark Wood in this season of the IPL. Mark Wood who had been included by the Lucknow in their squad for 7.5 crores in the mega auction ahead of the IPL 2022 has been ruled out of the tournament with an injury to his right elbow. Notably, he sustained the injury during the first test against West Indies in North Sound last week.
Tye who’s been asked to replace the injured Wood has shown decent performances in the recent past with the white ball. The 35-year-old made his T20I debut for Australia back in January 2016 against India and has displayed fantastic numbers since then. His special ability to take wickets at any stage of the innings in the shortest format of the game has earned him a quote unique reputation, which possibly is the reason why Lucknow management has looked upon him as a possible replacement option for their regular first choice bowler this season.
Tye has enough experience in terms of featuring in the IPL, since he made his debut in the tournament back in 2017 and has played for Gujarat Lions, Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals in the most recent previous season of the IPL. Hopefully, he will be delivering an equally impressive performance for his new franchise in the season of the IPL too just like all his previous seasons.
Andrew Tye (T20I Stats):-
Matches – 32, Wickets – 47, Economy – 8.75, Average – 21.2