There are several leagues throughout the world presently, but the success of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is unrivalled. The collaboration and support provided by international cricket boards and their players is one of the primary reasons for the IPL's success.
This year's super auction included 35 players from Australia, 20 from New Zealand, 19 from the West Indies, 17 from England, 14 from South Africa, nine from Sri Lanka, seven from Afghanistan, four from Bangladesh, and one player from each of the associate nations Nepal, USA, Singapore and UAE.
Out of them, a total of 67 international players from various nations were sold in the super auction, and 77 of them will appear in this season of the IPL, including the retained list. Let's take a look at the finest XI of the IPL this year from among the 77 international players.
David Warner
David Warner is a trophy-winning IPL captain and one of the best batsmen in the league. He began his IPL career with the Delhi Daredevils in 2009, and after being a key member of the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad, he is now returning to the Delhi franchise after 9 years, and fans could not possibly be more excited.
As the rift between Warner and the SRH administration became clear, he left the organisation after nine years and participated in the auction as a marquee player with a base price of 2 crores. He was later picked by the Delhi Capitals for a fee of INR 6.25 crores.
The southpaw was expected to fetch a much higher price because of his form at the T20 World Cup, where he played a key role as Australia lifted the trophy, but he was only sold for half of his prior asking price. Warner, who has won the Orange cap more times than any other batsman, is also the highest overseas run-scorer in the IPL. He has scored 5449 runs in 150 matches, at an incredible average of 41.6 and a stunning strike rate of 140.
FAF Du Plessis
Joining David Warner as the opener in our IPL Overseas XI is former CSK opener FAF Du Plessis.
Du Plessis, the second-highest run-scorer in the previous edition of the IPL and one of the most experienced IPL campaigners, has been signed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team for a solid fee of INR 7 crores.
The former Proteas captain is being eyed by RCB as a possible captaincy contender. He made his IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings in 2012 and has been their loyal force for the past eight years. He has appeared in 100 IPL matches, scoring 2935 runs with a strike rate of 131.08.
FAF appears to be confident, and he had a strong showing in the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League. In IPL 2022, his services at the top of the order will be extremely valuable to the RCB franchise. He is also one of the best fielders in the world, making him an incredible overall asset.
Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali's IPL career began in 2018 when he was acquired for the first time by Royal Challengers Bangalore. He played for them for three years until he was signed by the Chennai Super Kings in 2021. He batted in the middle order for RCB and was deployed as a part-time spinner.
Moeen Ali was released by RCB team because he was proving to be ineffective, unlike his international exploits. By that point, CSK was looking for an experienced all-rounder to fill the position, and Ali was the leading contender. He was elevated to CSK's batting line-up at number three and thrived, scoring a lot of runs in that position. He was also utilized brilliantly by MS Dhoni in the bowling department.
Last year, the Englishman made 357 runs in 15 matches while also taking six wickets at a 6.35 economy rate. His inclusion in the team enabled CSK to win their fourth IPL title. As a result, he was retained by CSK for the IPL 2022 season and will try to maintain his exploits with the bat and ball both.
Ali can be devastating with the bat in the middle order, with a penchant for hitting massive sixes over mid-wicket. He is also known for breaking partnerships.
Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler is one of the few players who can completely take the game away from the opposition single-handedly in the T20 format. He is the sort of opener who can easily crush any bowling attack, making him one of the team's most important players.
Buttler debuted for the Mumbai Indians in 2016 before being traded to the Rajasthan Royals in 2018. His job in his new team was clearly defined, and he delivered some of his greatest performances there. In 2021, he scored his first T20 century as well as his highest score of 124 in only 64 deliveries.
The Royals signed this explosive wicketkeeper-batsman for a fee of INR 10 crores. Buttler appears to be at his peak right now, as he batted brilliantly in the 2021 T20 World Cup as well, averaging over 90 runs per game. The Royals will be looking at him to give them explosive starts in every single match. Buttler is famous for his hard, straight sixes and fans can’t wait to see more of those mammoth hits this season.
Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell's IPL career began in 2012 with the Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils), and he then went on to play for the Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) before joining the Royal Challengers Bangalore team in 2021. In the same year, the RCB management released Moeen Ali and were seeking an able replacement, which they more than got, with the big show, Maxwell.
Maxwell appeared to be a good replacement, and he was signed for a hefty INR 14.25 crores. His participation was incredibly effective, as he was the team's leading run-scorer with 513 runs and an incredible average and strike-rate of 42.75 and 144.10, respectively.
That year, the 'big show' hit six fifties in 15 innings and took three wickets at an economy rate of 8.43. He was then retained by RCB, and will be looking to lead the scoring charts yet again with the mercurial Virat Kohli by his side. In the recently completed Big Bash League, he lit the stage on fire with a searing knock of 154* off only 64 deliveries, and he appears to be in excellent form. Maxwell can also be very handy with the ball, while he is an exceptional fielder as well, thereby ensuring his status as one of the most high-profile players in the league.
Liam Livingstone
The Indian Premier League has been extremely profitable for explosive all-rounders, and England's Liam Livingstone is one such beneficiary. He had a fantastic run in T20Is in 2021, averaging 33.71 with a strike rate of 177.44 and scalping eight wickets at an economy rate of 6.32.
However, in five IPL matches with the Rajasthan Royals in 2021, he only managed to score 42 runs. This year, he was released and joined the big auction. Many clubs were interested in him, including the Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
However, he was eventually sold to Punjab Kings for a hefty sum of INR 11.50 crores, making him the most expensive international purchase of the year. He appears to be in top shape right now and will be expected to justify his huge price tag.
Andre Russel
Andre Russell is one of a handful of players who can turn the game on its head with a single play. He is simply unstoppable on his day, and can literally end careers with his big hits.
Russell has been with the Kolkata Knight Riders since 2014 and is an important member of the team. His efforts with the bat and ball over the years have earned the management's trust, and he has been retained by KKR for INR 12 crores.
Russell has appeared in 84 IPL games and scored 1700 runs with a whopping strike rate of 178.57. He has 72 wickets at an average of 26.40 with the ball. He's a little rusty at the plate right now, but a player of his quality only needs one strong inning to start rolling.
Russel has won the purple cap before and is also the only player with multiple MVP awards in the history of the IPL, thereby confirming his status as an IPL legend.
Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine is another Caribbean Knight Rider that appears on this list. KKR signed him to a six-year contract for INR six crores. His performance in the previous IPL season was outstanding, as he took 16 wickets at an economy rate of 6.44.
Narine also had a few fleeting cameos with the bat, and his overall contributions helped the squad reach the play-offs last year. With the ball, he slows the run rate while also taking important wickets for the side, making him one of the tournament's most significant players.
Since making his IPL debut in 2012, the 33-year-old has taken 143 wickets for KKR, including seven four-wicket hauls and a fifer. This was the team that showcased his hitting ability and moved him up the order. The player's relationship with the KKR management is quite good, and he will try to deliver another excellent performance in the IPL 2022.
Narine has often opened the innings as well, and can be very explosive with the bat, making him even more valuable to his side.
Lockie Ferguson
With his blistering speed, this New Zealander has been terrorizing the top hitters in the game. He is one of the quickest bowlers in the game, frequently bowling at or over 145 Kmph.
His IPL career began in 2017 with the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants club, and after a year-long sabbatical, he restarted his IPL career with KKR, where he played quite a few matches throughout his three-year stay. Ferguson's performance in the IPL 2021, when he took 13 wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 7.46, was outstanding.
Ferguson was handed a lucrative deal with Gujarat Titans this year for an extravagant price of INR 10 Crores. He will spearhead the pace attack alongside Mohammed Shami, and unless his ailments prevent him from doing so, we might see a magnificent show of pace bowling from him.
Injuries have robbed Newzealand of a special special player in his prime, but we hope Ferguson will finally be able to get rid of all these injury troubles and emerge as one of the deadliest bowlers in the world.
Trent Boult
Trent Boult made his IPL debut in 2015 for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and he then played for the Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals before being traded to the Mumbai Indians in 2020. He has been a huge success in MI colours.
Batsmen in the league are routinely troubled by this left-arm pacer's swing bowling and the angle he produces. He was deployed as a wicket-taking bowler up front as well as an efficient death bowling option. His 25 wickets in 15 matches helped the Mumbai Indians win their sixth IPL title in 2020.
Boult was released by MI and auctioned off to the Rajasthan Royals for INR eight crores this year. In the 62 matches he has played in the IPL, he has taken 76 wickets. Boult is also a remarkable fielder, which is rare for a fast bowler. His ability to swing the ball in the opening overs and then to take wickets in the death overs make him a complete bowler.
Kagiso Rabada
This year's IPL auction was all about the fast bowlers, with the majority of them signing lucrative contracts. Kagiso Rabada of South Africa, who has been with the Delhi Capitals since 2017, is one such crucial bowler. It was a fairly difficult decision for DC to retain him or his compatriot Anrich Nortje. Eventually the managed decided to stick with Nortje and released Rabada, though they did try to bid again for him.
As a result, he will join the Punjab Kings franchise after being acquired for INR 9.25 crores. Rabada's outstanding performance in 2019 was one of the key reasons the squad made the playoffs.
This Proteas bowler also received the purple cap for having the most wickets in 2020. He has taken 76 wickets in 50 IPL games. He would be expected to continue that brilliant bowling average for the Punjab Kings now.
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