IPL 2022 Auction: 5 Teams Which Can Target Rashid Khan

Ahead of the 2017 edition of the Indian Premier League, the Sunrisers Hyderabad bought an Afghanistan leg-spinner in Rashid Khan for a whopping amount of 4 Crores.

He made heads turn in his debut season for the franchise and justified his hefty price tag. Khan picked as many as 17 wickets in 14 matches in the 2017 edition of the tournament.

He bowled quicker through the air and maintained a stump-to-stump line. His accurate googlies made it tough for the batsmen to take him on. In the following years, he also exhibited his power-hitting skills with the bat.

Rashid Khan has been an integral part of Sunrisers Hyderabad since. With his outstanding spells for the next four years, Rashid Khan helped SRH become one of the most consistent outfits in IPL.

The Afghanistan spinner has played 76 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL and has managed to pick 93 wickets at an outstanding economy of 6.33.

With the arrival of two new franchises, the Mega Auction is set to be held next year. All the franchises are allowed to retain a maximum of two overseas players and there could be a chance that Rashid Khan might not be retained by the franchise. On that note, here’s a look at 5 teams that can target Rashid Khan at the Mega Auctions:

IPL 2022 Auction: 5 Teams Which Can Target Rashid Khan

1. Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore are likely to retain their premier spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in the auction. Over the last couple of years, RCB have improved a lot on their bowling. However, with mega auctions coming ahead, they might have to add a different set of bowlers to form a potent bowling attack.

In a bid to strengthen their bowling attack, RCB could be interested in buying the services of Rashid Khan. The presence of Rashid Khan alongside Yuzvendra Chahal could make them a team to beat. RCB have played well in the last couple of years and reached the playoffs on both occasions. They would be keen to lift the title next year.

2. Delhi Capitals

There are reports that Delhi Capitals are going to retain only one spinner i.e., Axar Patel in their bowling unit. For the overseas position, they have retained Anrich Nortje.

They have had a pretty good bowling attack and in order to further strengthen that, they could splurge a huge amount of money for Rashid Khan. Adding Rashid Khan could add a different variety to their bowling attack.

Delhi Capitals have been nothing short of outstanding in the last two years. They reached the finals in IPL 2020. In IPL 2021, they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in Qualifier 2.

3. Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians always look for the multi-utility players in their team. Mumbai Indians are known to add world-class players to their team. They aren’t going to lose out on the opportunity to pick Rashid Khan if he goes back to the auction pool.

Mumbai Indians know what Rashid Khan brings to the table and they will definitely be one of the teams that could engage in a bidding war for him in the auctions.

Mumbai Indians won two back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020. Rohit Sharma and Boys, however, had a dismal outing last year as they couldn’t make it to the playoffs.

4. Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings shut all their critics in IPL 2021 and won their fourth IPL title. However, despite winning the title, it won’t be wrong to say that CSK didn’t have the best of the bowling attacks. They had Imran Tahir last year but they didn’t use him. The leg spinner isn’t likely to be retained for next year.

And, in a bid to strengthen their bowling unit, they could go for someone like Rashid Khan. He will bolster the spin attack, which will have the likes of Moeen Ali and Jadeja.

Besides, the Afghanistan cricketer has the ability to hit lusty blows in the slog overs. Rashid Khan could be someone who Chennai Super Kings can target in IPL 2022 Mega Auctions.

5. Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings didn’t have the best of outings last year in IPL. There are reports that KL Rahul isn’t likely to be a part of the team from next year. Punjab Kings is a franchise that could add a number of new players in their set-up alongside a new skipper.

In a bid to form a formidable bowling attack, they would be eying to bag some quality bowlers. And there couldn’t be a better choice than Rashid Khan in the spin department.

Punjab Kings are likely to go into the auction with at least more than 70 crores and they could spend a lot of money for the Afghanistan spinner if he gets back into the auction pool.