The idea of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction was to spruce up things and make it more exciting for fans. Each year, we see players representing the same franchise but this season will be different, with teams allowed to retain only as many as four players each. And it allows allows players to grow and bag big contracts, and not be tied down at the same salary year after year.
One of the better batsmen in the history of the Indian Premier League, this Indian opening batsman has represented Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad at the IPL over the years, but was released by SRH ahead of the IPL 2022 Auction. We’re talking about Shikhar Dhawan who is now 36 years old but it’s safe to say he’s been the most consistent batter over the last 2-3 seasons, so he was always going to be a big target.
Shikhar Dhawan goes to Punjab Kings for IPL 2022
Some teams may have been considering his age and the fact that he doesn’t have too many years left in him but many teams would’ve looked at his scores in recent years. He has got 450+ runs in six consecutive seasons of the IPL which makes him the only batsman in the tournament to have done so, while also currently being the second highest run scorer in the IPL history – see full list.
From IPL 2021 backwards, these are his scores in the last 6 editions – 587 runs, 618 runs, 521 runs, 497 runs, 479 runs, 501 runs. Seeing these staggering numbers, it’s only natural that several teams would want this IPL legend in their side, having a total of 5,784 career IPL runs in 192 games. Today, he lit up the IPL 2022 Auction and eventually went to Punjab Kings after some intense bidding action.
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When India toured South Africa recently, he was the only Indian batsman who looked comfortable at the crease in every game, getting two fifties in the 3-match series. It’s safe to say that ‘Gabbar’ is in the form of his life and deserves every rupee being paid to him after this massive contract at the IPL 2022 Mega Auction.
Hello @PunjabKingsIPL 👋
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) February 12, 2022
Dhawan was the first name out of the bag in the IPL 2022 Auction and while we didn’t see any bids in the first few seconds, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals had a mini bidding war between themselves. After a couple, Royals dropped out but Punjab Kings entered the race for him. Delhi was persistent but so was Punjab, and he quickly crossed his existing IPL 2021 salary as well, eventually going to Punjab.
Shikhar Dhawan gets ₹8.25 Crore contract
Dhawan has been a part of the tournament since inception in IPL 2008 where he was picked for ₹1.2 Crore by Delhi Daredevils. In IPL 2011, he was bumped up to a salary of ₹1.38 Crore and it was in IPL 2014 where his career saw a massive rise, being signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for as much as ₹12.5 Crore. He went past his peak though and last played in IPL 2021 for a lowered salary of ₹5.2 Crore.
It’s been a complete 360-degree journey for Dhawan and the fact that he can get so many bids even at this ripe age shows his form and of course, his contribution to Indian cricket. His contract in the IPL 2022 Auction was fixed at ₹8.25 Crore and this may end up being his last home in the Indian Premier League.
After some fierce bidding, Shikhar Dhawan is SOLD to @PunjabKingsIPL for INR 8.25 Crores#TATAIPLAuction @TataCompanies
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 12, 2022
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