IPL 2022: Top 3 Buys of Capped Indian Wicket-Keepers at IPL Auction

IPL 2022: IPL mega auctions were held ahead of the 15th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Indian wicket-keepers were in high demand. Cricket broadly has two disciplines – batting and bowling. However, there is also an indiscernible third discipline i.e Wicket-Keeping. In a team of eleven players, there is only one spot for a wicket-keeper. For more IPL 2022 Match updates and news, visit here on our site.

The wicket-keeper doesn’t play as a regular bowler within the premise of the team. But does play as a genuine batsman. Those times are gone when a player was picked purely on his wicket-keeping skills, even if he was not a substantial batsman. Now, it is pertinent for a wicket-keeper to be a decent batsman.

IPL 2022: Utility of Wicket-Keepers

In T20 cricket, which is the batsman’s dominant format, the wicket-keeper’s batting ability becomes of great importance. They are often considered to be great planners of the game as they have the best view of the field. Thus making them a better option for being the captain. Players like MS Dhoni, Kumar Sangakara, Adam Gilchrist, Brendon McCullum, and Dinesh Karthik are the beacons of wicket-keeping greatness.

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni is the most successful captain in the history of the IPL. He is probably the greatest limited-overs wicket-keeper batsman. His accomplishments are even bigger as a captain. Dhoni-led India to its first T20 World Cup triumph in 2007 and second 50 overworld Cup triumph in 2011.

India won the Champions Trophy in 2013 and was ranked the number 1 Test team in 2009. His achievements are equally unscalable in the IPL. Dhoni has been part of the Chennai Super Kings since the start and has led the team to 4 IPL title wins and 2 Champions League T20 title wins. Every team desires to have a wicket-keeper like MS Dhoni.

Capped Indian wicket-keepers were in great demand in this year’s mega auction. However, most wicket-keepers were retained by their respective franchises for fear of losing them at auction. MS Dhoni was retained by CSK, Rajasthan Royals retained Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant was retained by Delhi Capital and is named as their captain. The only prominent capped Indian wicket-keepers in the auction were Dinesh Karthik, Wriddhiman Saha, and Ishan Kishan. Let’s see how they fared at the auction.

IPL 2022: Top 3 Buys of Capped Indian Wicket-Keepers

3) Wriddhiman Saha

Wriddhiman Saha was considered to be MS Dhoni’s successor in the Indian team. When MS Dhoni retired from the Tests in 2015, Wriddhiman Saha was entrusted with the responsibility. Saha was India’s premier wicket-keeper in Tests until recently. However, he could never make a place for himself in ODIs and T20s. Dhoni continued to play limited-overs cricket until 2019 and before the reigns were handed down to Rishabh Pant.

Wriddhiman Saha is possibly the best wicket-keeper for India. However, he is not very capable as a batsman. The lack of such traits pushed him down the preference order. Wriddhiman Saha, however, was picked up by Gujarat Titans at the auction for INR 1.90 Cr. He has been part of the IPL since the start but could never hog the limelight until he was inducted into Punjab Kings XI in 2014.

In that season, he not only impressed with his wicket-keeping skills but scored very well to mark his impact. His hundred (115 off 55 balls) against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the finals, which came in a losing cause, surprised everyone who thought of him otherwise. Saha then moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad and was their first-choice wicket-keeper until Jonny Bairstow rose to the scene.

Saha is a decent purchase for Gujarat Titans considering the team balance. He may be preferred ahead of Australia’s Matthew Wade if the captain decides to go for an extra overseas bowler.

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2) Dinesh Karthik

Veteran Dinesh Karthik is one of the most experienced players in IPL history. Dinesh Karthik made his international debut in 2004, ahead of MS Dhoni. However, stayed on the sidelines until Dhoni dominated that position in the national team. Karthik has a safe pair of hands and is very classy when he bats. He is technically sound and consolidated in his batting.

Karthik continued to flourish in domestic cricket as well as in IPL cricket over the years. He was once again in the reckoning when Dhoni stepped down from the team. By then, Karthik had established himself as a dependable finisher. His Nidhas Trophy heroics in 2018 were nothing but coming of age. Karthik was entrusted by KKR for the captaincy role in 2018 and was phenomenal in the finishing role that year.

Dinesh Karthik is an experienced campaigner in the IPL and has demonstrated the same over the years. Royal Challengers Banglore splurged INR 5.5 Cr to rope him again into their camp. Dinesh Karthik will provide balance to the team. He will be reliable behind the wickets and will also play the role of a finisher in the team.

1) Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan was also part of the Mumbai Indians franchise. The young Indian wicketkeeper embodies class and exuberant stroke play. In 2018, Mumbai India bought Ishant Kishan for a whopping INR 6.2 cr. And despite a dip in his form, he ended his season at a strike rate of 150 with a spurt of valuable performances. Ishan has had alternating form in the IPL season. He amassed 516 runs in the 2020 season, with the highest score of 99 runs.

Ishan Kishan was expected to draw high bids at the auction. Considering the hope of better offers, Ishan declined Ahmedabad’s team’s offer to be among their draft picks. Instead, decided to go through auctions expecting better offers. As expected, Mumbai India bidding a whopping INR 15.25 cr to rope Ishan back into the squad. He provides flexiblity in the batting order.

Ishan can open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma, and if the need arises, can bat in the middle order to provide that assistance. Keeping in mind his future prospects, he is a complete package. He is possibly the best buy of the capped Indian wicket-keepers in the IPL. Here are some accurate IPL Betting Tips from the experts for the 2022 Season.