The IPL is becoming a league that is expanding by leaps and bounds by the minute. With the addition of the two new franchises from Lucknow and Ahmedabad, the league has increased its wingspan four-folds. The BCCI has announced a Mega Auction for the IPL 2022 Season which will be held in January. This Mega Auction will give an equal opportunity for all the teams to make a strong team. With the deadline for submission of the retentions being 30th November, here is a look. This very article focuses on the list of players which Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings.
The BCCI has always tried to have successful conduction of the IPL. Whether it may be providing entertainment in the pandemic by holding an IPL in the UAE or be it conduction of the IPL in two parts in 2021. The BCCI has gone out of its way to make sure that its flagship event stands out. With the Mega Auction getting announced more spice has been added to the league.
When will the IPL Mega Auction Take Place?
The IPL Mega Auction will take place in the first week of January 2022. The Auction timing will be from 3:30 pm IST onwards. The Mega Auction will be a long event since the list of players is very long and each player will be a valued asset. Several experienced Indian domestic players will also be an integral part.
What are the Retention Rules for Mega Auction IPL 2022?
The retention rules are simple and easily understandable. Every franchise in the Mega Auction that was previously a part of the IPL can retain four players. These four players can be either 3 Indians or 1 Foreigner. Or the combination can be of 2 Indians and 2 Foreigners. The players retained can be capped or uncapped. This choice lies in the hands of the franchise. Of the players who are not retained, the two other franchises i.e., Ahmedabad and Lucknow can pick 3 players outside of the auction. Let’s understand this with the example of Royal Challengers Bangalore. Bangalore can retain Virat Kohli, Yuzi Chahal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Glenn Maxwell. In this case, they retain 3 Indians and 1 Foreigner. If they retain Virat Kohli, Yuzi Chahal, Glenn Maxwell, and Adam Zampa; in this case, they will retain 2 Indians and 2 Foreigners.
Mumbai Indians Top 4 Retained Players: –
Rohit Sharma: –
Mumbai Indians are bound to retain the most successful captain in the IPL. Rohit has won 5 IPL trophies and is currently the captain of the Indian Nation T20 Team. Apart from great captaincy, Rohit is the best white-ball batter in the world. He has been a great servant for the Mumbai Indians and will continue to do the same. He is going to be Mumbai and their bankable asset for the forthcoming 4 to 5 years.
Jasprit Bumrah: –
The best white-ball bowler needs to be retained, isn’t it? Jasprit Bumrah was scouted to the international level by the Mumbai Indians. Jasprit Bumrah was picked by Mumbai scout John Wright. He was playing Syed Mushtaq Ali games for the Gujarat team. Mumbai Indians have been an integral part of the journey of his career. And it is expected that Jasprit will serve the franchise till retirement.
Kieron Pollard: –
Kieron Pollard, similar to Bumrah was bought to the international circuit by the Mumbai Indians. Pollard was playing for Trinidad and Tobago when he was picked by the Mumbai Indians. He has been a bankable player for the franchise. He is a big match player. What gives him an added advantage is that he has played all over the globe.
Suryakumar Yadav/ Ishan Kishan: –
Mumbai Indians were expected to retain Hardik Pandya as their 3rd Indian player. But his lack of form and injuries have put a big question mark on his retention. Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan can be Mumbai Indians’ 4th retention. Both of the players are at the top of their game. However, it seems that Mumbai Indians have decided to retain Ishan Kishan because he gives the wicket-keeping and left-handed opening option as well.
Chennai Super Kings Top 4 Retained Players: –
MS Dhoni: –
MS Dhoni has been aging but this doesn’t overwrite the fact that he is a great player and the best leader. Dhoni hinted that he will be associated with the men in yellow in the forthcoming year. And even MS himself has said that his last cricket game will be played in Chennai.
Ravindra Jadeja: –
The second most likely retention for CSK is Ravindra Jadeja. Ravindra Jadeja has the ability to fit in any team in the world. He is the best fielder on the planet and his bowling abilities to are supremely good. He gives you quick 4 overs and helps to control the over rate as well. Jadeja has improved his batting amazingly in the past few years. He averages the most for an Indian batsman in Australia and England since 2018.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: –
Ruturaj Gaikwad, by winning the Orange Cap this season has secured retention for the Chennai Super Kings. Chennai has always believed to invest in youngsters and this time as well, they will do the same. Ruturaj Gaikwad will give them the best Indian Opening option.
Faf Du Plessis: –
Faf Du Plessis to been playing for Chennai Super Kings since his debut in the IPL. He began as a spin-bowling all-rounder but now has become a dependable batsman. Faf is experienced and can give added value to the team.
Delhi Capitals Top 4 Retained Players: –
Rishabh Pant: –
Rishabh Pant has become an elite player after promoting him with leadership duties. Pant has been the first-choice keeper for the Indian National Team in all three formats. His attacking abilities set him apart. He has the skill to turn the game in a matter of 2 to 3 overs. Under Ricky Ponting, he has been blooming and blushing.
Prithvi Shaw/ Shikhar Dhawan: –
Delhi Capitals will have to select between Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan. Both of them have the same skill to offer. The fact that works in favor of Prithvi Shaw are that he is younger and can be a good investment option. The thing that works for Shikhar is that the retentions will be for just another 3 to 4 years and Shikhar at this stage of his career has more than 3 years of exquisite quality cricket left in him.
Axar Patel/ Ravichandran Ashwin: –
Both of these spinners have the same skillset to offer. Axar is a left-arm option and is a bit younger. While Ravichandran Ashwin is the more experienced and dependent batsman. He doesn’t give you the explosive batting option but can hold the innings lower down the order. But it is fixed that Delhi will retain one of the two.
Kagiso Rabada: –
Kagiso Rabada is a no-brainer for retention. He has been the best pace bowling option for Delhi Capitals since he has debuted in the IPL. His express pace and pinpoint yorkers make him a Bumrah-like player. Kagiso Rabada or Anrich Nortje are bound to be retained by the Capitals.
Punjab Kings Top Retained Players: –
Mayank Agarwal: –
Mayank Agarwal is certainly going to be retained by the Punjab Kings. Agarwal is one of the best Indian opening batsmen in cricket. The Punjab Kings can also groom Mayank Agarwal as a leadership candidate. Mayank Agarwal has led his domestic team Karnataka to several successful domestic campaigns.
Mohammad Shami: –
The Punjab Kings may retain Mohammad Shami. Mohammad Shami has been the second most successful Indian pace bowler in the shortest format of the game. Although Mohammad Shami tends to leak runs, he has the knack of picking wickets and bowling precise yorkers. Indian experienced bowlers are a rare commodity in the auction so that works for Mohammad Shami as well.
*Punjab Kings is not expected to retain KL Rahul as Rahul is looking for a leadership role in other fresher franchises. RCB is also expected to bid for KL Rahul as they are looking for a captaincy option.
Royal Challengers Bangalore Top 4 Retained Players: –
Virat Kohli: –
Virat Kohli has always been associated with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kohli is expected to stay with the men in red till the very last game of his career. Having given up on captaincy, Virat is looking to focus on batting and taking RCB to their much-awaited first IPL title. Virat is going to be the first retention for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Yuzvendra Chahal: –
Yuzvendra Chahal currently is the best leg spinner in India. He was ignored for the T20 World Cup and this decision could have been the one that cost India the title. Yuzvendra Chahal can bowl on small grounds and is not afraid of conceding runs. Chahal has been the top wicket-taker for the franchise.
Glenn Maxwell: –
Glenn Maxwell has been doing exceptionally well for the franchise. Maxwell was given his most favored number 4 position at RCB. Glenn Maxwell has scored many runs in the last season and this has secured his retention place. In absence of AB De Villiers, he automatically becomes the first-choice overseas retention.
Devdutt Padikkal/ Mohammad Siraj: –
Devdutt Padikkal or Mohammad Siraj will be the 4th retention for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Mohammad Siraj is a good pace bowling option. Mohammad Siraj gives the RCB dugout a good dependent 3 overs in the powerplay. Devdutt Padikkal on the other hand is a great left-handed opening option. Devdutt Padikkal has a lot of cricketing careers left since his age works in his favor.
Kolkata Knight Riders Top 4 Retained Players: –
Andre Russell: –
Kolkata Knight Riders are bound to retain the most valuable all-rounder in world cricket. The abilities that Andre Russel Brings to the table are exquisite. Andre is a great death bowler and his finishing abilities are second to none. One can never forget his performance in the game against RCB in 2019.
Shubman Gill: –
Shubman Gill will be the second name on the retention list of the Kolkata-based franchise. After a devastating campaign for captain Morgan, they will be looking to groom a young Indian as captaincy material as well. Retaining Shubman Gill will be a long-term investment for the men in purple. Shubman Gill has been a great performer for the team and his attacking abilities are an asset.
Sunil Narine: –
Right from the 2012 season of the IPL, Sunil Narine has been the bank of reliable 4 overs for Kolkata Knight Riders. Kolkata backed this Sunil Narine even when he was not offering well with the ball. It seems like the franchise likes the player and will hold on to him in the future as well. His batting has significantly improved in the past. He can be used as a handy pinch-hitter.
Varun Chakravarthy: –
Varun Chakravarthy is the last name on the retention list for the men from Eden. Kolkata Knight Riders have backed Varun in the past too. He brings the mystery element with him. Along with Sunil Narine, he makes an elite combination. Varun Chakravarthy has been the top wicket-taker for the franchise in the past two seasons.
Sunrisers Hyderabad Top retained Players: –
Umran Malik: –
The decision might sound surprising but the Sunrisers Hyderabad seemed to have retained pace sensation, Umran Malik. Malik played the last 3 games for the franchise in the last season of IPL. Sunrisers Hyderabad has always promoted talent from Jammu. They also helped Parvez Rasool to make his mark. Umran Malik is just another success story of the IPL and his express pace has helped him bag this contract.
Abdul Samad: –
The second news that was given by Irfan Pathan while broadcasting with the Star TV network is that Sunrisers Hyderabad has retained Abdul Samad. Abdul Samad is a young Indian batsman who can hit big. Abdul is the finisher that the Indian team requires. He has taken on the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, and Trent Boult. He has hit them for huge sixes.
Rashid Khan: –
It is not official but Sunrisers Hyderabad is bound to retain Rashid Khan. He is currently the best leg spinner in the world and he has a lot to offer. From his debut season in the IPL, Rashid has left every batsman perplexed. He bowls leg-spin in a super quick fashion. His fast arm speed makes it difficult to pick the googly.
Rajasthan Royals Top 4 Retained Players: –
Sanju Samson: –
Ever since Sanju Samson has been given the captaincy job, Sanju has improved as a batsman as well. Sanju Samson is the first retention by Rajasthan Royals. Season after season Sanju has been the top scorer for the franchise. Sanju Samson had his best season as a batsman in 2021 and this can be the reason that Rajasthan Royals have backed him.
Jos Butler: –
The best white-ball batsman in world cricket, Jos Butler it is. His hundred against the Sri Lankan Team in the T20 World Cup showed that Jos is in a league of his own. Ever since he has been promoted as an opener, Jos has been exceptional. Jos Butler if convinced to stay back, Rajasthan Royals will have a great deal. If he goes into the auction, I won’t be surprised if he goes for over 10 Crore Indian Rupees.
Jofra Archer/ Ben Stokes: –
Jofra Archer or Ben Stokes can be the 3rd retention for the Jaipur-based franchise. Archer and Ben Stokes have their fair share of injuries and health issues. But they have consistently played for Rajasthan Royals. One of the two is expected to be retained. Ben Stokes in the original 3-D Player and contributes to every aspect of the game. Jofra Archer too can play in every dimension. But Jofra Archer’s bowling is elite. His yorkers are super quick and precise. He is in a league with Bumrah, Cummins, and Rabada.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: –
If reports are to be believed the last name on the retention list of Rajasthan Royals is Yashasvi Jaiswal. The IPL is a league to promote Indian youth. So, the retention of Yashasvi Jaiswal justifies itself. It was a toss-up between Chetan Sakariya or Yashasvi Jaiswal and RR has backed Jaiswal. The tall left-hander from Mumbai is supremely aggressive. He is a complete package.