Bengaluru: An extensive process, that involves scouting, observing, analysing and evaluating several players, will see its culmination on February 12 and 13 when Rajasthan Royals, along with the nine other teams, enter the IPL 2022 Player Auction to finalise the squad for the 15th season.
Going into the auction, Rajasthan will have Rs 62 crores in their purse, having retained three players - Sanju Samson (Rs 14 crores), Jos Buttler (Rs 10 crores) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rs 4 crores).
These numbers may look straightforward on paper, but there is an elaborate and complex system in place behind the scenes which aids the franchise in deciding who to build their team around.
When the gavel is raised this weekend, it will not just be to decide the fate of the 590 players who are set to go under the hammer, but also bring to fruition the efforts of Rajasthan's backend staff and management teams who have worked tirelessly to provide the best possible information for each and every player available at the auction.
Right from preparing a database of every player on the globe, to consistently monitoring and analysing them – everything is taken care of.
"This auction is really important because we know we could very well be preparing our base for the next 5-6 years. So, we've made sure to track everyone and give the opportunity to as many players as possible during the trials. Our goal is to now target the ones we think align with our vision, can embrace our values, and help our team get back to the top," expressed Sanju.
When the bell rings on February 12, it won't just be for teams to be purchasing players and assembling teams, it will be done with the purpose to create a long-term impact that has a multiplier effect on everything – but in a positive way.
Mega auctions have, in the past, seen some incredible picks, ones that may not have been the absolute superstars to the common eye but were vital in the larger scheme of things, with diligent analytical backing.
Rajasthan's Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara feels it could once again come to the fore and provide the team with further clarity.
"Our analytical assessments are detailed, right from the information we've collected on players to getting them integrated into a central database. We further filter the data, backed with a robust analytic process which enables us to arrive at the right metrics further refining our overall player identification process. It's really quite a comprehensive process," said Sangakkara. (UNI)
