IPL 2022 Mega-Auction: 5 Indian Wicketkeeper-Batters Franchises could look to invest in

KS Bharat, N Jagadeesan, M Azharuddeen could be good choices behind the stumps for the future

Wicketkeepers are an integral part of the game in all three formats. The wicketkeepers do the hard job behind the stumps. They need to have quick reflexes, sharp presence of mind, accurate throws and they also need to put in full-length dives to catch the ball. These qualities are essential to have or develop to become a good wicketkeeper.

Nowadays, the wicketkeepers are also used as lower-order batters in Test matches and as opener or middle-order batters in limited overs games. Along with keeping, batting is necessary in today's times and that is why there is high regard for the likes of MS Dhoni, Kumar Sangakkara, Adam Gilchrist and Mark Boucher. These were the best wicketkeeper-batters for their respective countries and IPL franchises.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is also known as the smartest brain behind the stumps. He still guides the bowlers from behind the stumps whenever he takes the field for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Dhoni is still leading CSK and they are the only side that has not changed their captain since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. Adam Gilchrist is the second overseas captain to win an IPL title with Deccan Chargers (DC) in 2009. Kumar Sangakkara also did a good job as skipper in IPL and now he serves as Director of Cricket for Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Currently, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are the best Indian wicketkeeper-batters in IPL. Pant will continue leading the Delhi Capitals (DC) and KL Rahul will captain the new Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise. The Karnataka opener was bought by LSG for INR 17 crores.

Let’s take a look at five Indian wicketkeeper-batters who can be looked at as future prospects in both IPL and the national cricketing scene.

Srikar Bharat had a productive season with RCB in IPL 2021. (Image ©BCCI/IPL)

Srikar Bharat (Base Price - 20 Lakhs)

The list starts with KS Bharat because his base price can move up to Rs 40 Lakhs. Bharat had represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2021. Bharat is a good option who can bat in the middle-order because he can strike big blows, especially when the team needs to up the run rate. KS can also be looked at as a finisher. In the last season, he hit the last ball for a six to seal the game for RCB against Delhi Capitals (DC).

Bharat also kept wickets for India recently in a home Test against New Zealand when the regular keeper Wriddhiman Saha sustained an injury. He has the safest pair of hands, and everyone was impressed with his keeping skills. KS took two catches and effected one stumping. Bharat is the first wicketkeeper-batter to smash a triple ton in Ranji Trophy.

KS was at the 10th place in the list of highest run-scorers in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021-22 and slammed two back-to-back centuries. Bharat scored 370 runs and his consecutive tons came against Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. RCB might recall Bharat to fill in the big shoes of AB de Villiers in the middle-order.

IPL Career

Format	Mat	Inn	Runs	Ave	SR	50s	100s	HS
IPL	8	7	191	38.2	122.4	1	0	78*
IPL'21	8	7	191	38.2	122.4	1	0	78*

Read More: IPL 2022 Mega-Auction: Top 5 Uncapped Players likely to go for big prices in bidding war

N Jagadeesan represented Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021. (©BCCI/IPL)

Narayan Jagadeesan (Base Price - Rs 20 Lakhs)

This player from Tamil Nadu is very talented. He has played for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL. But he kept warming the bench the most times because he couldn’t replace Captain Cool MS Dhoni. Still, he got a chance to play IPL 2020 season in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). But that season didn't go well for him.

The wicketkeeper-batter scored 204 runs from 8 matches at an average of 25.50 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He is a good wicketkeeper as well. Jagadeesan has taken 14 catches and three stumpings in T20s. He can bat in the middle-order at number five or six. The franchises who want a stable middle-order batter can pick him in their squad.

IPL Career

Format	Mat	Inn	Runs	Ave	SR	50s	100s	HS
IPL	5	2	33	16.5	113.79	0	0	33
IPL'21	5	2	33	16.5	113.79	0	0	33

Read More: IPL 2022 Mega-Auction: Six Indian All-rounders likely to get fat cheques from franchises

Mohammed Azharuddeen was bought by RCB in IPL 2021. (©Twitter/RCBTweets)

Mohammed Azharuddeen (Base Price – Rs 20 Lakhs)

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bought the right-handed wicketkeeper-batter from Kerala in last year's IPL auction. Mohammed Azharuddeen is yet to make his international IPL debut. He will hope that the 2022 season will make his dream come true.

Azaharuddeen scored a century in a T20 match for Kerala and he became the first player from his state to achieve this feat in the shortest format. His century was the second-fastest in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy that came off just 37 deliveries. He also smashed the third-fastest T20 Hundred by an Indian and scored the third-highest score after Shreyas Iyer and Puneet Bisht in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. If any franchise is looking for a big striker of a cricket ball then Mohammed Azaharuddeen could be go to option.

Format	Mat	Inn	Runs	Ave	SR	50s	100s	HS
FC	22	37	959	25.91	63.76	5	1	112
LA	30	28	585	25.43	97.17	5	0	73
T20	24	22	451	22.45	142.27	0	1	137*

Read More: Top 5 Indian bowlers that franchises would target in IPL mega-auction 2022

Prabhsimran Singh played for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021. (©BCCI/IPL)

Prabhsimran Singh (Base Price – Rs 20 Lakhs)

The wicketkeeper-batter from Patiala is a good option to have. He can open the innings and also bat down the order to maintain the team balance. In the last IPL season, Singh opened for Punjab Kings (PBKS). He can give a flying start to the innings. He plays for Punjab at the first-class level.

He played a vital role in India’s win in the Under-19 Asia Cup tournament. He scored 298 runs from just 301 balls in the Under-23 district-level tournament. In the 2019 IPL auction, Prabhsimran Singh was the event's highlight. Punjab Kings bought him for Rs 4.8 crores. In the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Prabhsimran had scored 200 runs from 5 games at an average of 50.00 and strike rate of 136.98. He can be an existing prospect for the future of IPL franchises and Indian cricket. But he needs more opportunities. Playing just one or two matches every season will not help his cause. He needs to be given a log run to be groomed for the future.

IPL Career

Format	Mat	Inn	Runs	Ave	SR	50s	100s	HS
IPL	5	5	50	10	90.91	0	0	16
IPL'21	2	2	19	9.50	82.60	0	0	12

Read More: IPL 2022 - Top 5 Indian Batters Franchises would target in IPL 2022 Mega-Auction

Anuj Rawat has played for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021 Season. (©BCCI_IPL)

Anuj Rawat (Base Price - Rs 20 Lakhs)

The wicketkeeper-batter from the national capital has featured for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the past. But he didn't get many chances to showcase his worth. The southpaw had a decent domestic season with his state team, Delhi, which could potentially help him bag a good price in the upcoming IPL mega-auction.

Rajasthan Royals mainly gives more chances to young Indian talents. So, they might be interested in Anuj Rawat for IPL 2022 as well. He was bought for Rs 80 Lakhs in the previous season. But it was hard for him to make it to the playing XI where there were already big international stars, and that is why he has played just two IPL matches till now.

Format	Mat	Inn	Runs	Ave	SR	50s	100s	HS
FC	19	29	925	34.25	54.50	3	2	134
LA	20	16	573	44.07	85.90	5	0	95*
T20	27	22	501	29.47	121.01	2	0	88*

IPL 2022 mega-auction is scheduled to be held on February 12 and 13 in Bengaluru while the marquee league is set to kick off on March 27.

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