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IPL 2022 Retention: Headache for some, a happy news for others

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Last updated on 27 Nov 2021 | 03:18 PM
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IPL 2022 Retention: Headache for some, a happy news for others

What do the IPL 2022 retention rules hold for the eight existing IPL franchises, we have a look

The dynamics are strange but a large chunk of people believe that IPL auction is more entertaining than the tournament itself. Honestly, it is tough to disagree. It presents drama that cannot be matched by the rich TV history. What sets the tone for the auction? Its the retention and the drama doubles if we are talking about the mega auction. 

The rules are in for the 2022 season. You can click here for all the questions. Here, all you need to know is that the eight franchises are allowed to retain a maximum of four players each in the combination of two Indians and two overseas or three Indians and one overseas.

For at least two-three franchises, this move would come as a big worry or let’s put it this way - headache. Mumbai Indians, with a champion side that has managed to build this core squad would be worried by the new rules, that could sincerely break their core apart.

Headache

Mumbai Indians 

Mumbai have to make a choice between several players for one-two spots. If they indeed retain Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah as their two first-choice players, then they will have a bigger decision to make: between Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Rahul Chahar for their third Indian player.

Conundrum: One would think Hardik Pandya holds an edge over others to be the third Indian pick but the situation isn’t that clear. No one knows when Hardik will be fit to bowl again and for someone cemented as an all-rounder, it does wane his value. In addition, Hardik had a troubling 2021 with the bat which exposed his batting on slow and low surfaces. Unless Mumbai is certain about playing at their home venue, investing in Hardik is a dicey prospect. If they think they can buy him in the auction (if available), he is someone who can go for a big price. The same applies for players like Surya and Ishan. Headache galore for Mumbai!

Delhi Capitals 

A franchise that has in Mumbai’s footsteps built up an impressive Indian core - Delhi Capitals also have have big issues downsizing their squad. That combined with the presence of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada influence on the squad, Delhi will indeed have a lot of questions to answer ahead of the retention. 

Conundrum: The situation around Shikhar Dhawan puts Delhi in quandary. He is nearly 500 runs ahead of the next highest run-scorer for the franchise since 2019. For most sides, such players would be the first pick. However, at 35, he doesn’t promise a future value for a three-year cycle. At the same time, he exhibits the vibe of an athlete ageing like fine wine. Hence, there is no clear answer around this left-hander. 

News: Reports suggest that Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Axar Patel and Nortje are the players the franchise are likely to retain. Looking for a leadership role, Shreyas Iyer might part ways.

Royal Challengers Bangalore 

Virat Kohli’s decision to step down from captaincy adds to Bangalore’s worries. Would they potentially pick Glenn Maxwell as their new skipper? Devdutt Padikkal is another worthy investment in the leadership role. And if they do retain these players, including Yuzvendra Chahal, how about Harshal Patel or Mohammad Siraj, see the headache? There is also a case around Washington Sundar who didn’t play the second half of IPL 2021. 

Conundrum: Assuming that Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell will be retained, RCB have five local options for the remaining two slots, each one of whom offers something different - Padikkal future potential, Harshal a unique skill set, Sundar his all-round expertise, Chahal his experience and Siraj some genuine pace. Harshal might win the race for the second Indian spot given the accuracy in his distinct bowling style. But the third local spot might be a tough equation to solve. 

Won’t affect a lot

Chennai Super Kings 

Chennai would have been the happier of all sides, if this was the 2021 IPL auction, with them finishing seventh in the previous edition of the competition and were seriously in dire need of an overhaul. However, them winning the 2021 IPL season might just be an eye-opener. They have plenty of questions ranging from MS Dhoni to Deepak Chahar, Dwayne Bravo to Moeen Ali and also the big question: would Suresh Raina be retained?

Conundrum: MS Dhoni is the heartbeat of CSK since its inception but he currently faces the test of time. At 40, he has maintained his fitness and is the most astonishing cricketing brain but his batting returns have diminished - average 20.9, strike-rate 112.5 since 2020.

With a handful of other decent options available, do they invest in a non-performing batting asset with a forthcoming three-year long cycle. There is a good chance he might not be a popular choice at the auction table. However, with other franchises knowing the value of Dhoni for CSK, they will surely try to mess around with him during the auction. Chennai might opt to avoid that embarrassment and retain their heart and soul.

News: Reports suggest that CSK have chosen Jadeja as the second option and are also in talks with Moeen Ali as their foreign player.

Kolkata Knight Riders 

If the 2021 IPL did indicate anything to us: it was that Kolkata can’t be written off. But at the auction table, they won’t be affected a lot by the overhaul, with only a few questions that could potentially trigger them: Sunil Narine or Andre Russell? Skipper Eoin Morgan or skipper Shubman Gill?

Conundrum: Andre Russell is 33 but on the fitness front, his body is older than many of the active 40-year olds. He has broken down in each of the last two seasons, leaving KKR in a fix. On top of it, he has not been at his consistent best. For someone who has the team built around him, his average of 18.8 in the last two seasons doesn’t cut it. But he remains to be a risky prospect to buy from the auction or risk giving to other sides. Hence, it is a double-edged sword around the big Jamaican. 

News: If the reports are to be believed, KKR are set on having him with Narine and Varun Chakravarthy. The toss up for the last spot is between Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer.

Rajasthan Royals 

For Rajasthan, the questions are direct and succinct, would they retain Jos Buttler or Ben Stokes? Jofra Archer or Chris Morris? And if any Indian player would be retained alongside Sanju Samson. 

Conundrum: Ben Stokes is someone you would go to a war with. He is a cricketer you would want in your side irrespective of the format. But his talent has not transpired on the field in T20s. Therefore, one would believe Stokes is behind Buttler and Archer in the pecking order. Given no more than two overseas recruits are allowed for retention, Stokes’ chances are subjected to Archer’s fitness, and remains a conundrum if RR doesn’t keep their faith in Archer. 

Would be happy with the decision

Sunrisers Hyderabad 

SRH’s horrible 2021 campaign signaled an end to David Warner’s era with the franchise. So with that, it was only expected that the franchise would be more than happy with the decision of going ahead with a clean slate, except Rashid Khan’s retention is a no-brainer.

Conundrum: Kane Williamson isn’t your quintessential T20 cricketer but he has done well in his limited time with SRH, both as a leader and a batter. If he is retained, SRH won’t need to hunt for a captain at the auction table. But Jonny Bairstow also presents a convincing case based on his ballistic batting style. All this will be based on what combination SRH is interested to retain. If they do pick two overseas, then electing between Williamson and Bairstow won’t be a straightforward choice. 

News: Reports hint that the franchise want to be associated with Kane Williamson. But they cannot decide if they should retain him or buy in the auction. 

Punjab Kings

Purely on a speculative basis, Punjab Kings would be happy to go to the auction and wipe the slate clean. They have done it in the past and they would be more than happy to do it now, if the rumors of KL Rahul leaving the franchise are true. In that case, the franchise would definitely move ahead with less pieces in their puzzle, looking to complete them at the auction. 

Conundrum: PBKS held a feisty batting talent in Nicholas Pooran for three years but it was another case of talent not meeting expectations. However, there aren't many T20 batters like him who can strike from the word go while batting in the middle-order. Hence, releasing him will come at its own perils. But will Punjab invest in his potential after three underpar seasons, it remains to be seen. 

The light at the end of tunnel for Punjab is the presence of exceptional uncapped players in Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh whom they can retain without a significant dent to their purse.

 

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