IPL 2022: 5 Players who earned big bucks in the auction but didn’t perform well

After getting picked up for a big amount in the auctions in T20 competitions, some players feel the pressure of the price tag and they fail to deliver in the tournament. These days, players are often paid big due to their reputation but few don’t do justice to their franchise. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), many players were picked up for hefty prices in the 2022 auction but they somehow managed to underperform.

Let’s take a look at the 5 players who earned big bucks in the auction but didn’t perform well:

Nitish Rana

Nitish Rana was purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 8 crore in the mega auction 2022. He is with the franchise since 2018 as KKR decided to buy him back after not having retained him. But the left-handed batter failed to deliver much as he managed to score only 361 runs in 14 innings at an average of 27.76 with just two fifties. Rana has never scored 400 runs in a season and this time was no different.

Shivam Mavi

Another KKR player and another player who has been serving the franchise since the 2018 season, pacer Shivam Mavi disappointed his side in the 2022 edition. He was snapped up for INR 7.25 crore but the seam bowler couldn’t quite live up to expectations. In six matches, he took just five wickets at a poor average of 45.40 and an expensive economy rate of 10.31. He snared 11 scalps last year but was a flop this time around.

Shahrukh Khan

Shahrukh Khan represented Punjab Kings (PBKS) last year as the right-handed batter had proved his power-hitting credentials. Having not retained him, the franchise went on to purchase him back for INR 9 crore. But it turned out to be a disaster as Shahrukh could score only 117 runs in eight innings at an average of just 16.71 and a strike rate of 108.33 with the highest score of 26.

Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur found a new home in the form of Delhi Capitals (DC) as the franchise purchased him for a whopping INR 10.75 crore in the auction. The pacer snared only 15 scalps in 14 matches at an average of 31.53 and an economy rate of 9.78. Two-time IPL winner with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the seam bowler failed to perform for his new side.

Lockie Ferguson

Kiwi pacer Lockie Ferguson was bought by new franchise Gujarat Titans (GT) for INR 10 crore. He was supposed to be the lead bowler for them with Mohammed Shami. But the speedster managed to pick up only 12 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 33.75 and an economy rate of 9.06. The New Zealander couldn’t quite make an impression this time with his express pace bowling.