IPL 2021 hasn’t been completed, but fans were excited about IPL 2022 as there were some reports about the player retention rules and the likely time period for the Mega Auction of IPL 2022. Two new teams will enter the competition from the next season and so there will be a Mega Auction in IPL 2022. As per reports, the Mega Auction is likely to be held in December 2022.
According to multiple reports, the existing eight franchises will be allowed to retain a maximum of four players from their current squad. They can either retain three Indians and one overseas player or two Indians and two overseas players. It would be difficult for most of the franchises to decide their four players, as some of them have a lot of match-winners. Some franchises will have to find the right balance, while the others would look to start with a clean slate. So, let us have a look at the five key players who might get released ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction.
5. Faf Du Plessis
Faf Du Plessis from Chennai Super Kings might get released ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. Chennai Super Kings has many key players and they might find it difficult to choose four between them. If MS Dhoni doesn’t retire, then he is definitely one of the four. Ravindra Jadeja has to be on the list.
The next two will be between Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Sam Curran, and Deepak Chahar. Faf Du Plessis can be an option, but there will be plenty of opening batsmen available in the auction as compared to Indian pacers or seam bowling all-rounders. CSK fans won’t like it but Du Plessis might be in the Mega Auction in IPL 2022.
4. Quinton De Kock
Mumbai Indians is going to find the most difficult as each and every player is a match-winner. Quinton De Kock joined the Mumbai Indians team in 2019 and since then he has been prolific at the top of the order. If MI does what they did last time, then Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah will be the three Indian picks.
Talking about the one overseas pick, Kieron Pollard and Trent Boult will be ahead of Quinton De Kock in the retention list and so QDK might find himself in the Auction where most of the teams will be bidding for him.
3. Suryakumar Yadav
Another Mumbai Indians player who might find himself in the Mega Auction for IPL 2022. Suryakumar Yadav has been brilliant for Mumbai Indians over the last four years as he has delivered whenever the team needed.
But with the new retention rules, if only three Indian players are allowed, then Suryakumar Yadav might miss out on the retention spot. Having said that, Mumbai Indians might buy him back, but he won’t be available at a cheap price.
2. Jos Buttler
Rajasthan Royals has four high-quality overseas players and they are going to face a conundrum during the retention. Out of the two pacers, Chris Morris and Jofra Archer, Rajasthan Royals would go with Jofra Archer as he is a better bowler and has done well for them over the last couple of years.
The other choice has to be between Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler. Even though Jos Buttler has been the better player for RR, they might stick with Ben Stokes due to his all-around abilities and he has a tendency to go for a high price in the Auction. So, Jos Buttler who is one of the finest T20 openers of this generation might be up for grabs in the next year’s Auction.
1. David Warner
David Warner, who has been arguably the best batsman in the IPL over the last five years, might find himself in the Auction. Warner, who was the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, was dropped from their XI in the 14th season of the IPL. It came as a surprise to many people, and some didn’t like the idea of dropping Warner.
SRH will definitely retain Rashid Khan, who is probably the best T20 bowler, and then they would have one more spot for an overseas player. Kane Williamson who was appointed as the SRH captain might be that guy and hence Warner will be back in the Mega Auction in IPL 2022.
