The IPL 2022 Mega Auction is around the corner. With two new teams in contention, the conquest to recruit the best is going to be worth watching. Middle-Order batsmen always play a big role in moving the game around and pinch-hitting. The T20 game holds certain importance for the middle-order batsmen as they are an integral part of the moving game. Over the years, the IPL has seen several successful middle-order batsmen in the form of Kieron Pollard, ABD, Rahul Tripathi, Ambati Rayudu, and many more. Here is a look at the top 5 middle-order batsmen in the IPL 2022 Mega Auction:
10) Shahrukh Khan:
An Indian uncapped player was bound to be on this list. Shahrukh Khan is a top middle-order batsman. He has excellent finishing skills. Shahrukh Khan took a big paycheque last year as well. He showed his finishing skills in the crunch final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021. Shahrukh can be picked by the Chennai Super Kings as he is a local boy. Khan plays with a strike rate of over 150 and can tonk the ball at the death.
9) Nicholas Pooran is one of the Top Middle-Order Batsmen:
Nicholas Pooran is one of the top middle-order batsmen in the world. Pooran has just one demerit. It is his inconsistency that stops Pooran from making a big name. Nicholas Pooran has improved his game after taking leadership roles for the West Indies. Pooran has become more reliant and his explosiveness was never the question. He can be used as a floater as well and gives the left-handed option.
8) Mitchell Marsh:
The man of the match of the T20 World Cup 2021 Final is bound to be in demand. Marsh has improved his batting by leaps and bounds. It is only Marsh’s injuries that have not allowed him to earn a big name. His bowling abilities make him a 3-Dimensional player. Marsh has previously played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
7) Rassie Van Der Dussen is one of the Top Middle-Order Batsmen :
With RCB looking for a replacement for AB De Villiers, another South African Rassie Van Der Dussen is a good pick. Rassie is a middle-order batsman who can hit the ball a long way. Van Der Dussen showed his skill in the game against England in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. He can hold the innings together while players like Virat Kohli can express themselves. RCB must go for Rassie.
6) Devon Conway:
Devon Conway, the New Zealander is a top choice as a middle-order batsman. Conway provides a left-handed option and can bind the innings together. He rotates the strike exceptionally well in the middle overs. Devon Conway plays the spinners well too. With an average of 35 and a strike rate of 130 Devon is a complete package.
5) Liam Livingstone:
A pinch-hitter who gives a leg-spinning option is an ideal commodity. Livingstone burst on the scene with quick-fire hundreds all over the globe. His freelance records are exquisite. Liam Livingstone was off-color in the last season when he played for the Rajasthan Royals. But we also need to know that he did not get the ideal opportunities. With his fielding being top-notch, Livingstone forms a good compilation.
4) Rahul Tripathi is one of the Top Middle-Order Batsmen :
Another uncapped Indian who has been piling on the performances since 2016 is Rahul Tripathi. In the traffic for earning a national team spot, Tripathi, unfortunately, hasn’t got one. Rahul Tripathi currently is one of the top domestic middle-order batsmen. Rahul Tripathi made sure that KKR gets a playoff spot last season. He was an ideal number 3 and number 4 batsman. Tripathi has played for several franchises including Rising Pune SuperGiants and the Kolkata Knight Riders.
3) Dawid Malan:
The two new franchises will be looking for a middle-order batsman. Dawid Malan is the top number 3, number 4 batsmen according to ICC Rankings. Dawid Malan is one of the best middle-order batsmen. Malan is coming off from a good Ashes series on a personal note. Often Malan receives criticism that he cannot play spin. But he has worked on that section too. Malan has been the backbone of English batting for over 2 years now.
2) Ishan Kishan:
Ishan Kishan will not make it to the auction table. It is expected that one of the two franchises will pick Kishan in the draft. Ishan Kishan ideally likes to open the batting but his performance as middle-order batsmen for Mumbai Indians was elite. Kishan attacks the spinners and his shots look amazing. He smashes the big shots with ease. Ishan is young, left-handed, a keeping option, and a great captaincy prospect as well.
Honorable Mentions:
- 1) Nitish Rana
- 2) Ben Stokes
- 3) David Miller
- 4) Shimron Hetmeyer
1) Shreyas Iyer is the top Middle-Order Batsman:
Shreyas Iyer is the best middle-order batsman in the Auction. According to a few top news outlets, RCB and KKR will have a bidding war for Shreyas Iyer. Shreyas Iyer is a tried and tested commodity. He is Indian and young which gives him an added advantage. Iyer and his big hits are seen by everyone. Shreyas is also a top captaincy prospect as he has had 2 successful seasons in leadership for Delhi Capitals.
