English Players set to opt out of IPL Auction

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It’s going to be the biggest IPL auction yet and, even if a number of key players look to focus elsewhere, nothing will change that. With the 2022 Indian Premier League expanded to take on ten teams, there will be a greater demand for players than ever before.

The list of available players may not include some of England’s key stars. Ben Stokes would be a big miss for the Rajasthan Royals while his test captain Joe Root may well have been signed by one of the two new franchises.

Both men look set to withdraw from the auction so who would that leave from within the England camp?

The Runners and Riders

The markets for the 15th edition of the IPL will not fully open until the names of the new franchises are confirmed and the auction is complete. When they do, it’s likely that Indian sports betting sites, as sourced by asiabet.org, will list Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians among the favourites.

Royal Challengers Bangalore will have a strong squad as they look for their first title while Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals will be among those hopeful of making a challenge. As the tournament draws closer, the picture will develop and asiabet.org will continue to update the markets throughout IPL 15.

Readers can also keep pace with the world of cricket thanks to news articles and opinion pieces that will appear. If those readers wish to enter the betting markets, it’s also perfectly possible to do so.

Every bookmaker listed on the site will be ready to take on new registrations. After a successful sign up, there is a selection of funding options to get the account moving. Later on, there may be ongoing promotions, effective help facilities and a range of other sports beyond cricket. It’s a good site to follow throughout the IPL, no matter who enters the Mega Auction.

Questions Remaining

If Ben Stokes and Joe Root confirm their absence from that auction, the next man under the spotlight will be their international teammate Jos Buttler. The wicket keeper batsman endured a tough Ashes series and had to leave the camp before the final test through injury.

Buttler’s place in that test side is in some doubt and he now has a decision to make. Does he play English county cricket at the start of the season and fight for that spot or does he concede defeat and head to the IPL?

Elsewhere, Jonny Bairstow may also want to consider his position. Speculation about a new franchise for Bairstow is rife following a number of productive campaigns for Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, after regaining his place in the test side and scoring England’s only century in the recent Ashes series, he may be reluctant to commit to the IPL.

Other members of the England test squad who may come under the radar include Mark Wood and Dawid Malan. Neither will be an automatic pick and they may not be available.

Limited Overs Specialists

Even if the prime members of the test squad stay away, England players should still be highly visible at the 2022 IPL Mega Auction. The country is strong in both short formats and there will be a number of English limited overs specialists up for grabs.

Liam Livingstone has already appeared for Rajasthan Royals and, while he covets a test slot, he’s still seen as a one-day specialist. Alex Hales has been absent from the England squad for three years now and he has been overlooked at previous auctions. Some high scores in Australia’s Big Bash could persuade a new IPL franchise to sign Hales this time.

Elsewhere, George Garton, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy and Tom Banton are among those who already have some IPL experience. Teams in the 2022 tournament may also want to consider some new faces which might include Joe Clarke and Ben Duckett.

There’s no denying that the loss of Ben Stokes in particular would be a big blow. Indian fans want to see the best T20 players and Stokes is genuinely world class in this format but there are many other English players waiting to be signed.