IPL Auction 2022: 5 players unlikely to be retained despite an impressive IPL 2021 campaign

The IPL 2022 mega auction is likely to be held in January 2022. Before that, franchises have been given the option to retain a certain number of players. All eight existing teams can retain a maximum of four players. The combination can be three Indians and one overseas player, or two Indians and two overseas players.

IPL 2022 will see the addition of two new franchises - Ahmedabad and Lucknow. Deadlines have been set for both existing and new franchises to pick players ahead of the mega auction.

The window for current teams to retain the players opened on November 1, and will close on November 30. After that, the two new teams can pick players from December 1 to December 25.

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A few IPL 2021 star performers might be released

Since there is a cap on franchises retaining players, most teams might be forced to release players who performed well for them in IPL 2021. On that note, here’s a look at five such names:

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#1 Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel was the leading performer for RCB with the ball in IPL 2021. Pic: IPLT20.COM

It will be an irony, without a doubt. However, there is a strong chance that Harshal Patel, who finished as the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2021, may not be retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

The 31-year-old recently made an impressive international debut during the T20I series against New Zealand. Before that, he had claimed 32 wickets in 15 matches at a strike rate of 10.56 in IPL 2021. That included a hat-trick as well as a five-wicket haul.

If we look at the options, RCB have former captain Virat Kohli and Australia’s batting all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who look all set to be retained. Experienced leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal seems to have rediscovered his mojo, and is also likely to be picked.

The fourth place could be a tough toss-up between young opener Devdutt Paiddikal and pacer Mohammed Siraj.

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#2 Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis scored 633 runs for CSK in IPL 2021. Pic: IPLT20.COM

Veteran South African batter Faf du Plessis was the second-leading run-getter in IPL 2021. Opening the batting for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he amassed 633 runs in 16 games at a strike rate of 138.2, notching up six half-centuries.

He was also the player of the final, making a splendid 86 off 59 balls. So impressive was Du Plessis in the tournament that question marks were raised why he was not part of South Africa’s T20 World Cup 2021 campaign.

Du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad (635 runs at a strike rate of 136.26) formed the most prolific opening combination in IPL 2021. Their performances, individually and as a pair, were primarily responsible for CSK lifting their fourth IPL title.

However, the age factor is likely to go against Du Plessis with regards to Chennai retaining him. At 37, he is not likely to be around for a long time, so CSK might release him, with an eye on the future.

#3 Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi had an impressive IPL 2021 campaign for KKR. Pic: IPLT20.COM

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Rahul Tripathi secured his place in IPL folklore by smashing Ravichandran Ashwin for a six in the second qualifier of IPL 2021 against Delhi Capitals (DC).

However, there was more to his performance than just that famous six. Tripathi had one of his most memorable IPL campaigns with the bat, smacking 397 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 140.28.

The KKR management gave him a free hand to go out and express himself, and the 30-year-old did not let the team down. When it comes to retention, though, Tripathi does not have a strong chance of staying back with the franchise.

Kolkata would prefer the likes of Venkatesh Iyer, who turned around KKR’s fortunes, as well as mystery spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine. Shubman Gill and Andre Russell could also be in the reckoning.

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#4 Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur playing for CSK. Pic: IPLT20.COM

‘Lord’ Shardul Thakur did not have a great first half for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2021. He looked lacklustre, and was taken for plenty of runs, as he could not find his bowling rhythm.

However, following success during the Test series in England with both bat and ball, he turned into a completely different player during the second half of IPL 2021 in the UAE.

Thakur ended the season as one of the top wicket-takers, claiming 21 wickets in 16 matches at a strike rate of 17.09. He claimed three key scalps in the final after KKR had gotten off to a terrific start in their chase.

CSK, though, are likely to retain captain MS Dhoni, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as well as prolific opener Ruturaj Gaikwad. The fourth slot could go to either Moeen Ali or Sam Curran, so there is a decent chance of Thakur finding his name in the auction.

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#5 Jason Holder

Jason Holder gave SRH some moments of joy in IPL 2021. Pic: IPLT20.COM

Former West Indies captain and all-rounder Jason Holder was one of the few bright spots for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in an otherwise disastrous IPL 2021 campaign.

The tall pacer featured in only eight matches during the season, but made a significant impact, claiming 16 wickets at a strike rate of 11.93 and an economy rate of 7.75. Bowling tight lines and lengths and varying his pace, Holder was extremely valuable. He also contributed a few handy cameos with the willow low down the order.

If the buzz around retention is anything to go by, SRH are not keen to keep more than one or two star players. Kane Williamson, who took over the SRH captaincy from David Warner midway through IPL 2021, is likely to remain their marquee player.

There is a chance that leg-spinner Rashid Khan could also be retained. But SRH would be keen to build their team literally from scratch, which is why they could send all the other players back into the auction.