The 2025 IPL auction has set new records where 1574 players have registered for the upcoming season. With a base price of ₹30 lakhs, Thomas Draca has decided to come into the mega auction, becoming the first Italian cricketer in history into the mega TATA IPL 2025 Player Auction.
Is this a new beginning for talented European players to join the T20 World Cup?
Thomas Draca Career Graph and Recent Achievements
Draca is a right-arm medium-fast bowler with an impressive track record, in his brief international career.
He made his debut on 9 June 2024, against Luxembourg in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier Group A. However, to display his raw talent, he chose the 2024 Global T20 Canada, where he took 11 wickets in just 6 innings for Brampton Wolves, becoming the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
He became the highest wicket-taker for Brampton Wolves in the tournament, playing a key role in securing the team’s spot in the playoffs. In the very first match against Surrey Jaguars, he took 3 wickets spending only 18 runs. One of the most dangerous world t20 batsmen Sunil Narine, didn’t have an answer to his deadly inswinger.
Thomas Draca’s Latest Career Stats
Though he still has a long way to go, let’s have a quick glance at his short but impactful career in T20 matches so far.
| Format | T20I | T20 |
|---|---|---|
| Match | 4 | 4 |
| Innings | 4 | 4 |
| Balls | 96 | 68 |
| Runs | 96 | 68 |
| Average | 8.50 | 8.50 |
| Economy | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Strike Rate | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Wkts | 8 | 8 |
This information is based on his performance representing Italy. I wasn’t able to find any data on his franchise league performance.
Upcoming Matches of Thomas Draca to Look Out For
With his exceptional performance in the recent 2024 Global T20 League in Canada, he got all eyes on him. As a result, he got signed by the MI Emirates for the upcoming season of the ILT20. If everything goes well in the auction, we’ll soon see Draca in action, sporting the jersey number 325.
My Personal Thoughts on Thomas Draca’s Shift to IPL
Although he has been representing Italy on the global stage and played for the “Brampton Wolves,” the pinnacle of world T20 cricket, the IPL, could serve as the ideal platform for him to display his talent and skills to a whole new level.
His inswingers and knuckleballs are notoriously difficult to read, and this can be a deadly weapon in the death overs in the IPL. His deceptive hand movements and very short run-ups will give him an extra edge in confronting deadly power hitters. In my view, he has great potential and talent but there’s one area where he falls short and that is “Experience”.
Where Can Fans Watch Thomas Draca Play?
According to the resources, Mumbai Indians are backing him up for the upcoming season, so if all goes according to plan, he will be playing for the most successful franchise in the 2025 IPL. He will be sharing the same dressing room with Lasith Malinga, one of the greatest bowlers to have ever played the game. Under Malinga’s mentorship as the team’s bowling coach, he’ll receive invaluable insights and tips to unlock his true potential.
Thomas Draca – The First Italian Player to Join the IPL
This is not only a ground-breaking opportunity for Draca, but this could be the trigger for many more talented players like him to get a chance to showcase their skills and potential on the world T20 stage.
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