It was a big payday for Indian players on Day 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction as 10 teams bought a total of 74 players, spending Rs 388.10 crore in total in Bengaluru. The IPL has come a full circle as teams had spent big on overseas stars in the first few seasons but on Saturday, home-grown talents were in demand as teams reserved their highest bids for them.

Ishan Kishan, the 23-year-old wicketkeeper from Jharkhand, dominated the bidding war as he was sold to Mumbai Indians for a whopping price of Rs 15.25 crore. He was the most expensive buy on Day 1 of the mega auction and the 2nd most expensive Indian player ever bought in an IPL auction.

It is important to note that celebrated commentator Charu Sharma did a fine job after taking over as the auctioneer midway during Saturday’s auction. British auctioneer Hugh Edmeades, who began the auction, collapsed midway and was given medical care. While Edmeades was stable, the BCCI roped in Sharma who got a big round of applause at the end of the day.

ALSO READ: Who bought whom on Day 1 of IPL 2022 mega auction

Meanwhile, there was big demand for fast bowlers, both overseas and Indians, as teams are looking to emulate the success formula of the Delhi Capitals from the previous seasons. Deepak Chahar, who was sold to Chennai Super Kings at Rs 14 crore, was the most expensive pacer on Day 1 of the IPL 2022 auction while Avesh Khan became the most expensive uncapped player in the history of the auction. The former Delhi Capitals pacer was sold to Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 10 crore.

All current India internationals triggered bidding wars with Shreyas Iyer getting a staggering Rs 12.25 crore deal from Kolkata Knight Riders and the multi-skilled Shardul Thakur making Delhi Capitals break the bank with a Rs 10.75 crore. These two, along with Kishan and Chahar, were the top four buys of the day.

TOP 5 BUYS OF IPL 2022 AUCTION – DAY 1

1. Ishan Kishan – Rs 15.25 crore to Mumbai Indians
2. Deepak Chahar – Rs 14 crore to Chennai Super Kings
3. Shreyas Iyer – Rs 12.25 crore to Kolkata Knight Riders
4. Shardul Thakur – Rs 10.75 crore to Delhi Capitals
5. Harshal Patel – Rs 10.75 crore to Royal Challengers Bangalore

End of Day 1 at the #TATAIPLAuction saw players going for some huge amounts

Day 2 promises to be yet another exciting one

Join us tomorrow for an action packed day @TataCompanies pic.twitter.com/DyV8lIHssc

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 12, 2022

Young pacer Prasidh Krishna (Rs 10 crore) was paid big by Rajasthan Royals for his timely Man of the Series performance against the West Indies while Washington Sundar, another India regular, got richer by Rs 8.75 crore.

One of the expected big buys was pacer Avesh Khan, who was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 10 crore, the highest in the history of IPL for uncapped players.

Yuzvendra Chahal would be a bit cross as he came late in the day and could only get Rs 6.5 crore from Rajasthan Royals.

Even Nitish Rana, not an Indian regular but an IPL performer, was retained for Rs 8 crore by KKR while the uncapped Rahul Tripathi, who has been consistent in the league, very deservingly crossed the million dollar mark at Rs 8.50 crore.

SHAHRUKH KHAN, RAHUL TEWATIA MAKE MERRY

Shahrukh Khan, another formidable domestic T20 finisher but one with a base price of a mere Rs 20 lakh, was taken for a ‘mic-drop’ deal of Rs 9 crore by Punjab Kings.

Rajasthan’s former one-season wonder Rahul Tewatia was lapped up by Gujarat Titans for a mind-boggling Rs 9 crore.

It wasn’t an auction to remember for the old guard and only two 35 plus players — Shikhar Dhawan (Rs 8.25 crore, Punjab Kings) and Ravichandran Ashwin (Rs 5 crore, Rajasthan Royals) — got good deals.

Among other seniors, Mohammed Shami was taken by Gujarat Titans for Rs 6.25 crore. His new ball partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar got Rs 4.6 crore from Sunrisers.

HASARANGA, POORAN TOP OVERSEAS BUYS

Wanindu Hasaranga, who is from Sri Lanka and currently the world’s No. 1 T20 International bowler, fetched Rs 10.75 crore while West Indian Nicholas Pooran, despite a disastrous IPL the last time, got a similar amount from SunRisers Hyderabad.

While England batter Jonny Bairstow went for Rs 6.75 crore bid from Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals made a steal deal to buy David Warner for Rs 6.25 crore.

RCB made a steal buy when they Faf du Plessis, the former CSK star for Rs 7 crore.

It was a very good bargain buy for Delhi Capitals and same could be said about newcomers Lucknow Supergiants, who got a fabulous player like Quinton de Kock for Rs 6.75 crore.

South Africa’s U-19 World Cup star Dewald Brevis, known as ‘Baby AB’ for his batting style’s resemblance to AB de Villiers, was brought by Mumbai Indians for Rs 3 crore.

OVERSEAS PACERS ALSO MAKE HEADS TURN

Trent Boult came in the marquee set and still fetched a million dollars (Rs 8 crore) for his good show in previous years for Mumbai Indians as Rajasthan Royals aggressively bid for him.

But when his New Zealand teammate and slightly pacier Lockie Ferguson arrived in fast bowler’s set, he got the paddles raised at frequent intervals and Gujarat Titans, who didn’t have a great first day, suddenly got activated and bought him for Rs 10 crore.

For CSK, Josh Hazlewood’s exit will be a big deal as the Australian pacer will now play for RCB with a deal of Rs 7.75 crore.

Another speed demon Mark Wood of England got Rs 7.5 crore from Lucknow Supergiants. (WITH PTI INPUTS)

OVERVIEW OF TEAMS AFTER DAY 1 OF IPL 2022 AUCTION