Possible four retentions by IPL teams ahead of the Mega Auction 2022

The Indian Premier League would have a mega auction in the year 2022 and because of the introduction of two new teams, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL Governing Council (IPL GC) decided to do away with the Right to Match (RTM) cards and for this auction. 

The existing franchises were given an option to retain a maximum of four players among which a maximum of three Indian players and two foreign players could be retained. The last date to announce the retained players for the existing franchises has been set by the BCCI as November 30 2021.

Post the November 30 retention announcements, the remaining players will be available for the two new franchises of Lucknow and Ahmedabad to book a maximum of three players, in which one foreigner and two Indians are allowed to be booked. 

Thus, here is the last of the possible retained players that each team can have on November 30th. 

Chennai Super Kings

As far as the defending champions are concerned, they would obviously retain MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad as their two Indian retentions. Firstly Dhoni wants to finish his playing career at Chennai and secondly, Ruturaj is in form of his life and hence utilising him is the way out for any franchise. The last Indian retention could be Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali could be the foreign retention for the yellow brigade considering his form. 

Possible Retentions

MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali

Mumbai Indians

The five-time champions did not have a good season in the 2021 edition, but they are a franchise that likes to have faith in their players, in that case, they would want to go with the trust of having Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah as their main Indian retentions and Kieron Pollard as their main foreign retention. These are the players who have won the franchise its five titles. 

The last Indian retention could be one among Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav. 

Possible Retentions

Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Kieron Pollard, Ishan Kishan/ Suryakumar Yadav

Kolkata Knight Riders

Two times champions and finalists of the 2021 season, Kolkata Knight riders would be looking to bank on its West Indian import of Andre Russell and Sunil Narine and play one final bet on the old warhorses. Apart from these two veterans, Shubaman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer could be KKR’s Indian bet. 

Possible Retentions

Andre Russell, Shubman Gill, Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer

Sunrisers Hyderabad

The 2016 champions, Sunrisers Hyderabad have been one of the most consistent units. However, the 2021 season was the worst for them, not only as a team in terms of wins and losses but also as a unit as the treatment meted out to David Warner, their most reliable player and known face was the talk of the town. Hence Warner would not be retained is a foregone conclusion. 

Thus the possible retentions could be Kane Williamson for his captaincy ability, Rashid Khan because he is the best in the business. Apart from these two, Jonny Bairstow seems like the only possible retention that SRH can make. 

Possible Retentions

Kane Williamson, Jonny Bairstow, Rashid Khan

Royal Challengers Bangalore

The biggest battle in terms of retention would have to be fought by RCB, one of the best looking and most followed franchises, but also the one that has very little in terms of its potential. 

Since AB de Villers has already announced his retirement, in the foreign quota, Glenn Maxwell can be retained easily while Virat Kohli and Harshal Patel remain obvious Indian choices, Patel mostly because of the form he has shown. 

It would be interesting to see if they retain one among Washington Sundar, Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammad Siraj because they are the three possible contenders. 

Possible Retentions

Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Harshal Patel

Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals have now made three back to back Playoffs and look like a side in progress and might win their first-ever title in the very next year. But for that to happen, they have to make the right decisions in terms of who they are retaining. 

Shreyas Iyer might not want to be retained as the leadership has been forwarded to Rishabh Pant, thus the Capitals might just want to retain Prithvi Shaw, Pant and Axar Patel as three Indians in the outfit. In terms of foreigners, One among two South Africans in Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada might get the go-ahead. 

Probable Retentions

Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Axar Patel, Kagiso Rabada/ Anrich Nortje

Punjab Kings

The rumours at the time of the end of the IPL were ripe that KL Rahul, the top run-scorer for Punjab for the last three seasons does not want to be at the franchise anymore. In that case, it would only be beneficial that Punjab retain the ones that want to be there. Thus, retaining Mayank Agarwal as a batter could be the best choice and then try and find others to build a team around him. 

In terms of bowlers, Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi look like players who can serve well for the side in near future and if they let them go, they might have to pay big bucks to get them back. 

Possible Retentions

Mayank Agarwal, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi

Rajasthan Royals

For the Royals, it had been a very tough two seasons. Thus to make maximum out of the next season, they would want their English stars to be available without injury and Sanju Samson to perform consistently. 

Among the English players, only two can be retained by the franchise and hence Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes could be the two retentions. 

Possible Retentions

Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson and Ben Stokes.