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cricket:image:1426255 [900x506] (Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

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There's a cricketer from Italy among the list of players who figure in the longlist for the mega auction ahead of IPL 2025, and it isn't Joe Burns, the former Australia batter who switched allegiances. Meet 24-year-old Thomas Draca, who has put Italy on the radar of IPL watchers ahead of the auction.

Who is Draca and what does he do?

A tall, nippy, right-arm fast bowler, Draca has the ability to hit the splice of the bat, and can also get the ball to skid off the pitch. These skills were on display during the 2024 Global T20 Canada, where he emerged as the highest wicket-taker for Brampton Wolves, with 11 strikes in six games at an economy rate of 6.88. Only West Indies' Romario Shepherd (14) and UAE's Junaid Siddique (14) picked up more wickets than Draca in the tournament.

Just a month before his breakout performance in Canada, Draca had made his T20I debut for Italy, in June earlier this year against Luxembourg in the Men's T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Europe Qualifier, where he bowled with the new ball and claimed figures of 4-0-15-2.

Where does Draca figure in the auction pool?

Draca has been listed at No. 325 and has set his base price at INR 30 lakh. This longlist of 1574 players will be trimmed further before the auction, so it's uncertain whether he will make the final cut.

How about a little more about his GT20 Canada stint?

Draca had hit the ground running in Canada, taking 3 for 18 in his first game against Surrey Jaguars. His victims included allrounders Sunil Narine and Terrance Hinds, who was recently called up to West Indies' T20I squad in Sri Lanka.

Then, against Bangla Tigers Mississauga, he cut through their middle order with figures of 3 for 10 in two overs. His first-ball wicket of David Wiese, bounced out by a sharp lifter, highlighted his ability to hustle batters with both pace and bounce. His 11 wickets helped Wolves get into the playoffs, where they lost to eventual champions Toronto Nationals in Qualifier 2.

Has Draca been in any other leagues?

He has. MI Emirates, the affiliate of Mumbai Indians in the IPL, have picked Draca for the upcoming season of the UAE's ILT20. He was among their new signings along with Shepherd.

Draca was also part of the Caribbean Tigers squad, led by Chris Lynn, during the inaugural MAX60 Caribbean in the Cayman Islands earlier this year.

Has anyone from Italy ever been picked in the IPL before?

Nope. Draca will be the first if he gets a bid.

The Durban-born Wayne Madsen is the most-high profile player from Italy on the T20 circuit, having featured in the PSL (Multan Sultans), Joburg Super Kings (SA20) and Manchester Originals (Hundred). Madsen, who will turn 41 next January, will also turn out for Rangpur Riders in the upcoming Global Super League in Guyana.