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Last month, the eight existing Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises revealed their retention lists ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. The two new franchises - Ahmedabad and Lucknow - can now pick a maximum of three players ahead of the auction.
In all, 27 players were retained by the current franchises. The teams were allowed to retain a maximum of four players (two Indians and two overseas or three Indians and one overseas). Keeping that in mind, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mumbai Indians (MI), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) retained four players each.
Speaking of the remaining franchises, Rajasthan Royals (RR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) retained three players apiece. Punjab Kings (PBKS) retained the least number of players - two.
IPL auction 2022: Will the franchises buy these released players again?
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that most IPL franchises would have been forced to release players they were keen on retaining due to financial factors and the cap on retention. We predict one released player each team might be keen to purchase again at the auction.
#1 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) - Faf Du Plessis
It would have been a tough call for CSK not to pick Faf du Plessis in their retention list. He played a massive role in CSK's IPL 2021 title triumph, smashing 633 runs at a strike rate of 138.20, only two runs less than Orange Cap winner Ruturaj Gaikwad. In fact, Du Plessis was the player of the final for his splendid 86 off 59 balls.
CSK, however, retained Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Moeen Ali and Gaikwad, releasing Du Plessis. The decision must have been taken keeping the future in mind. Du Plessis is now 37 and might not play for many years. But CSK might reward the former South African captain for his efforts by picking him at the auction and keeping him for as long as he is fit and in form.
#2 Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) - Devdutt Padikkal
Under ideal circumstances, RCB would have been keen to buy back Purple Cap winner Harshal Patel at the IPL 2022 mega auction. But there are very slim chances of him not being picked by one of the two new franchises ahead of the auction. As such, the Bangalore franchise could look at bringing Devdutt Padikkal back in the mix.
The young opener is among the most talented batters on the Indian domestic scene. He has proved his worth for RCB in the two seasons he has been with them.
Padikkal scored 411 runs in 14 matches during IPL 2021, which included his maiden hundred in the T20 league. In 2020, his debut IPL season, he won the ‘emerging player’ award for smashing 473 in 15 matches with the help of five half-centuries.
#3 Mumbai Indians (MI) - Rahul Chahar
Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) retained skipper Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Kieron Pollard. They were forced to release a number of big names like Trent Boult and Ishan Kishan due to the retention rules in place. While MI would like to purchase Boult and Kishan, they too might get picked up before the auction.
Young leggie Rahul Chahar is one released player MI could target at buying back at the IPL 2022 mega auction.
Chahar had a mixed IPL 2021 season. He was impressive in the first half but ineffective in the second. In the end, he only managed 13 wickets in 11 games. However, Chahar is a player MI have groomed over the last few years and no one more than MI would be aware of the skills he possesses. There is a good enough reason for MI to pick him up again at the auction.
#4 Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) - T Natarajan
Under normal circumstances, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) would have retained toe-crusher T Natarajan. However, given the fact that the left-arm seamer missed most of IPL 2021 due to injury and even had to undergo a knee surgery, the franchise would have had doubts over his fitness and form.
In the end, SRH decided to retain Kane Williamson, Umran Malik and Abdul Samad. Rashid Khan had to be released as the two parties could not agree on the financial aspect.
At the IPL 2022 mega auction, SRH could set their sights at purchasing Natarajan. The 30-year-old added zing to the franchise’s bowling during IPL 2020, claiming 16 scalps in as many matches. His accurate yorkers made a massive impact. Natarajan might not have regained peak form as yet but SRH could back him to be back at his best soon.
#5 Rajasthan Royals (RR) - Chetan Sakariya
Young left-arm pacer Chetan Sakariya was among the few bright spots for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in yet another disappointing IPL campaign. Even as RR struggled to make an impact, Sakariya was impressive with 14 wickets in as many games. Apart from his numbers, his attitude also stood out as his body language remained assertive even when being hit for runs.
It was a bit of a surprise that RR did not retain Sakariya ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. The franchise picked wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler, captain Sanju Samson and young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. There is a decent chance that RR might try and purchase Sakariya at the auction.
#6 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) - Shubman Gill
Ahead of the IPL retention list being made official, there were reports that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) might look to retain talented opener Shubman Gill. Although he had a poor first half during IPL 2021, Gill lifted himself up in the UAE leg and played some attractive knocks. He finished the season with 478 runs in 17 matches, hitting three half-centuries.
In the end, KKR went with Andre Russell, Varun Chakaravarthy, Venkatesh Iyer and Sunil Narine as their four names on the retention list. Gill and Iyer formed a brilliant opening pair towards the latter half of IPL 2021. Will Kolkata look to reunite them in IPL 2022?
#7 Delhi Capitals (DC) - Avesh Khan
Barring Delhi Capitals’ (DC) last couple of matches in IPL 2021, which were crucial playoff games, young pacer Avesh Khan was brilliant for the franchise. He bowled with pace and precision and even kept Anrich Nortje out of the playing XI in the first half. The 24-year-old claimed 24 scalps in 16 matches during a memorable IPL 2021 campaign.
Despite his standout efforts with the ball, DC decided to retain Rishabh Pant, bowling all-rounder Axar Patel, dashing opener Prithvi Shaw and speedster Nortje. Avesh, though, should be on the radar of DC during the IPL 2022 mega auction.
#8 Punjab Kings (PBKS) - Shahrukh Khan
His famous name aside, the big-hitting Shahrukh Khan did a decent job for Punjab Kings (PBKS) to grab some eyeballs in the limited opportunities that he got during IPL 2021. The 26-year-old scored 153 runs for PBKS in 11 matches at a strike-rate of 134.21. What the numbers don’t say is that Shahrukh had to often come in towards the death and throw his bat around.
The Tamil Nadu cricketer has been grabbing headlines in recent times. He played a splendid cameo (33* off 15) to lift his side to victory over Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final. Then, in a recent Vijay Hazare Trophy encounter, he bludgeoned 66 off 35, batting at No. 7. PBKS might be regretting releasing Khan. They could try and make amends during the IPL 2022 mega auction.
