Two Franchises Batted For Chris Gayle’s Inclusion In IPL 2022 Auction List - Report

The Indian Premier League (IPL) recently unveiled the final list of players who will go under the hammer in the IPL 2022 mega auction which will take place in Bengaluru on February 12 and 13. However, one big name of T20 cricket was missing from that list, that’s ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle.

The West Indian cricket legend Chris Gayle holds the record for the highest individual score in the IPL and all T20s- 175* and has hit the most centuries in the tournament history as well- 6. Therefore, it was a shock of sorts that his name was missing from the list of 590 players who were finalized.

Now, Cricbuzz has reported that at least two franchises for whom Gayle had rendered his services in the past wanted his name to be included in the final auction list. However, then the Universe Boss decided that he will no longer play in the Indian Premier League.

Apart from Gayle, even Ben Stokes and Mitchell Starc were contacted for a recall, but they too will not take part in the IPL this year.

370 Indian Cricketers Have Been Shortlisted For The IPL 2022 Mega Auction

Out of the 590 players who were finalized for the IPL 2022 mega auction to be held in Bengaluru on February 12-13, 370 Indian cricketers will go under the hammer for an opportunity to play in the most popular and cash-rich T20 league in the world, which is also the only cricket brand in the list of the top-10 sporting brands in the world.

The 2 new IPL teams have already picked their 3 draft picks ahead of the auctions. While the Lucknow franchise has picked KL Rahul, Marcus Stoinis, and Ravi Bishnoi, the Ahmedabad franchise has opted for Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, and Shubman Gill.

KL Rahul will captain the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) team, which unveiled its logo recently; on the other hand, Hardik Pandya was named the captain of the Ahmedabad-based franchise, which is yet to reveal its name and identity.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed that IPL 2022 is expected to begin in the last week of March and will run through May this year. It is also expected that the entire tournament will be held in India itself with Maharashtra hosting the league stages and Ahmedabad hosting the playoffs and the final.

Also Read: IPL Has Changed Me As A Cricketer, Changed Me As A Person – Glenn Maxwell