In a groundbreaking development for Italian cricket, 24-year-old Thomas Draca has become the first Italian player to register for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Born on October 23, 2000, Draca is a tall, right-arm medium pacer known for his ability to hit the deck hard and generate skiddy movement off the pitch.
Draca made his international debut for Italy on June 9, 2024, during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier Group A, where Italy faced Luxembourg. In his debut performance, he showcased his skill and control, picking up 2 wickets for just 15 runs in his four overs. Since then, Draca has played in 4 T20 Internationals for Italy, amassing a total of 8 wickets.
Beyond his international career, Draca has also gained valuable experience on the franchise cricket circuit. One of his notable stints was in the Global T20 Canada, where he represented the Brampton Wolves.Draca proved to be a revelation, picking up 11 wickets in 6 games with an outstanding economy rate of 6.88 and a best performance of 3 wickets for just 10 runs. His bowling prowess was instrumental in guiding Brampton Wolves to the playoffs, further enhancing his reputation as a dependable, economical bowler who can strike in key moments.
Draca’s exploits in franchise cricket don’t end there. He has also been signed by MI Emirates, the UAE affiliate of the IPL’s powerhouse franchise, Mumbai Indians, for the upcoming season of the ILT20. Additionally, Draca was part of the Caribbean Tigers squad, led by Australian star Chris Lynn, in the MAX60 Caribbean tournament in the Cayman Islands earlier this year.
With a base price of INR 30 lakh, the Italian pacer is set to enter one of the biggest stages in cricket. Given his signing with MI Emirates in the ILT20, it will be interesting to see if Mumbai Indians will consider adding him to their main IPL roster. A potential move to the IPL could be career-defining for Draca, giving him the chance to compete with and learn from some of the best cricketers in the world, further developing his skills and expanding his exposure to high-pressure scenarios.
If Draca makes the final cut, he will not only be a trailblazer for Italian cricket but also a symbol of Europe’s expanding presence in the global cricket arena. His journey from Italy to franchise leagues around the world and potentially to the IPL highlights the growing appeal and acceptance of cricket in non-traditional cricketing nations.
The IPL Auction is set to take place in Jeddah on the 24th and 25th November 2024.
