The new season of the IPL, which has two extra teams, gets underway tomorrow. As usual, there will be a healthy number of Australians in action, some who were particularly eye-catching buys at the mega auction. Here's who is lining up where.
Prices are as of conversions on auction day or when retained
Sean Abbott (Sunrisers Hyderabad, A$446,000)
Last season at IPL Did not play
2021-22 BBL Matches: 14; Wickets: 19; Average: 19.89; Econ: 8.18 | Runs: 117; Average: 23.40; S/R: 118.18
Allrounder Abbott returns to the IPL for the first time since 2015 after another consistent BBL season. A versatile bowler who can operate at any stage of an innings, he has also developed into a handy finisher with the bat as shown by his 41 off 20 balls in the Challenger final against Adelaide Strikers.
Jason Behrendorff (Royal Challengers Bangalore, A$139,000)
Last season at IPL Chennai Super Kings: did not play
2021-22 BBL Matches: 13; Wickets: 16; Average: 19.06; Econ: 7.32
The left-arm quick earned a replacement deal for Josh Hazlewood last season at CSK but did not make an appearance in the first half of the tournament before Hazlewood returned when the competition resumed in the UAE. Played an important role in Perth Scorchers' BBL title success.
Nathan Coulter-Nile (Rajasthan Royals, A$372,000)
Last season at IPL Mumbai Indians - Matches: 5; Wickets 7; Average: 18.14; Econ 6.35
2021-22 BBL Matches: 7; Wickets: 7; Average: 28.85; Econ: 8.08
He went into the auction for a third time before being bought by Royals to continue an IPL career that goes back to 2013 and has now encompassed four franchises. A T20 specialist nowadays, Coulter-Nile was with Mumbai Indians last season where he produced a Player-of-the-Match display against Royals with 4 for 14.
Pat Cummins (Kolkata Knight Riders, A$ 1.35million)
Last season at IPL KKR - Matches: 7; Wickets: 9; Average: 26.33: Econ: 8.83 | Runs: 93; Average: 31.00: S/R: 166.07
2021-22 BBL Did not play
KKR have the Australia Test captain back but at a significantly cut-priced deal (although still not to be sneezed at). Cummins did not return for the second half of the competition last year. He had his moments during the first part of the tournament although his bowling returns did not leap off the page. Hammered 66 off 34 balls from No. 8 in a high-scoring defeat against CSK.
Tim David (Mumbai Indians, A$1.53million)
Last season at IPL RCB - Matches: 1
2021-22 BBL Matches: 15; Runs: 218; Average: 24.22; S/R: 163.90
Singapore-born David became one of the stories of the IPL auction having sent the bidding wild before landing at Mumbai Indians. While his BBL was middling, it was his form in the PSL that followed which really elevated his case with 278 runs at an eye-watering strike-rate of 194.40 when given an opportunity slightly higher up the order. He is on the radar of the Australia selectors and it may not be long before he adds to the 14 T20I caps he earned for Singapore.
Nathan Ellis (Punjab Kings, A$139,000)
Last season at IPL Punjab Kings - Matches: 3; Wickets 1; Econ: 8.18
2021-22 BBL Matches: 8; Wickets: 11; Average: 22.90; Econ: 8.12
Ellis was picked up as a replacement player for the second half of last year's tournament following his hat-trick on T20I debut against Bangladesh. Had limited impact for Punjab Kings but they saw enough to bring him back. Was a reserve player in Australia's T20 World Cup squad. Had an injury-hit BBL with Hobart Hurricanes but was tracking reasonably well.
Aaron Finch (Kolkata Knight Riders, replacement)
Last season at IPL - Did not play
2021-21 BBL Matches: 11; Runs: 386; Average: 38.60; S/R 130.40
Found a spot at this year's tournament as a replacement for Alex Hales who withdrew from his KKR deal. Finch's recent form has been inconsistent as he battled some injury issues and made a few technical tweaks. However, he was still comfortably Melbourne Renegades' leading run-scorer. KKR will be his ninth IPL franchise.
Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bangalore, A$1.44million)
Last season at IPL Chennai Super Kings - Matches: 9; Wickets: 11; Average: 26.63; Econ 8.37
2021-22 BBL Did not play
Hazlewood had a breakout year in T20 in 2021 and though that started in Australian colours on the tours of West Indies and Bangladesh, the second half of the IPL played its part. He then went on to be one of the key cogs in Australia's T20 World Cup victory and unsurprisingly fetched a hefty sum at the action. Took eight wickets at 8.12 with an economy rate of 5.41 against Sri Lanka last month.
Mitchell Marsh (Delhi Capitals, A$1.2million)
Last season at IPL Did not play (withdrew from SRH deal)
2021-22 BBL Matches: 8; Runs: 347; Average: 57.83; S/R: 142.79 | Wickets 5; Average 25.40; Econ: 8.46
While he fetched a handsome sum, Marsh could yet be one of the bargains of the tournament if he continues his spectacular 2021 form which made him one of most impactful T20 players in the world. Having pulled out of last year's IPL before it started, he then found a new home as Australia's No. 3 - and the rest is history (and a T20 World Cup title). His BBL season was limited by being a reserve in the Test squad, but he more than made up for it while he was available for Perth Scorchers which included 100 not out off 60 balls against Hobart Hurricanes.
Glenn Maxwell (Royal Challenges Bangalore, retained A$2million)
Last season at IPL Matches: 15; Runs: 513; Average: 42.75; S/R: 144.10 | Wickets: 3; Average: 45.00; Econ: 8.43
2021-22 BBL Matches: 13; Runs: 468; Average: 42.54; S/R: 159.72 | Wickets 4; Average: 46.25; Econ: 7.70
An excellent season for RCB saw him become the only Australian retained by their existing franchise ahead of the auction. Did not quite translate his IPL form into the T20 World Cup although he did help ice the chase in the final against New Zealand. As with many players, his BBL was disrupted by Covid-19 but he saved his best for last: an astonishing tournament-record 154 off 64 balls against Hobart Hurricanes.
Riley Meredith (Mumbai Indians, A$186,000)
Last season at IPL Punjab Kings - Matches: 5; Wickets: 4; Average 42.25; Econ: 9.94
2021-22 BBL Matches: 11; Wickets: 16; Average: 17.87; Econ: 7.87
Last season's IPL experience was a tough one after his million-dollar deal and the fast bowler has since drifted a little down the Australia pecking order as well. But his natural pace has kept him in the mix albeit at a much-reduced value to his new franchise, Mumbai Indians.
Daniel Sams (Mumbai Indians, A$484,000)
Last season at IPL RCB - Matches: 2; Wickets 1; Econ: 6.50
2021-22 BBL Matches: 15; Runs: 191; Average: 19.10; S/R: 161.86 | Wickets: 19; Average: 24.57; Econ: 8.49
Sams became the first Australian cricketer struck by Covid when he tested positive in the lead-up to last year's edition. He ended up just playing twice for RCB but was one of the eye-catching signings in the latest auction after a BBL for Sydney Thunder where he was their leading wicket-taker and also smashed 98 off 44 balls against Melbourne Renegades.
Marcus Stoinis (Lucknow Super Giants, A$1.7million)
Last season at IPL Delhi Capitals - Matches: 10; Runs: 89; Average: 22.25; S/R: 123.61 | Wickets 2; Econ: 10.47
2021-22 BBL Matches: 8; Runs: 170; Average: 28.33; S/R: 153.15
Another who had a terrific 2021 as, after some skepticism, he developed into the role of the finisher for Australia with a vital unbeaten 40 against Pakistan in the World Cup semi-final. He was one of just two Australians secured before the auction (alongside the retained Maxwell) as one of Super Giants' first picks.
Andrew Tye (Lucknow Super Giants, replacement)
Last season at IPL Did not play
2021-22 BBL Matches: 16; Wickets: 25; Average: 16.96; Econ: 8.07
Signed as a replacement for Mark Wood, Tye joins on the back of an excellent BBL where he was Perth Scorchers' leading wicket-taker. Once known for his variety of slower balls - which he still uses - he also capable of operating a good pace. Was the leading wicket-taker in the 2018 IPL.
Matthew Wade (Gujurat Titans, A$446,000)
Last season at IPL Did not play
2021-22 BBL Matches: 13; Runs: 325; Average: 27.08, S/R: 134.85
Back in the IPL after more than a decade, wicketkeeper-batter Wade brings versatility having found a new role in Australia's middle-order - where he thrillingly won the World Cup semi-final - while continuing at the top for Hobart Hurricanes.
David Warner (Delhi Capitals, A$1.16million)
Last season at IPL SRH - Matches: 8; Runs: 195; Average: 24.37; S/R: 107.73
2021-22 BBL Did not play
Warner's fall from grace at SRH became one of the stories of last year's tournament but it has not proved the end of his IPL story - albeit he was bought for about half his previous deal. Was Australia's leading run-scorer at the T20 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament, and will now link up with Ricky Ponting at Capitals alongside Mitchell Marsh.