Mumbai Indians to release Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan in IPL 2022 Mega Auction.
IPL 2022 Mega Auction: With the biggest Mega Auction on the way before the IPL fifteenth edition, the IPL franchise would love to make several changes on the side here and there. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), lately, has revealed that the existing eight franchises can only retain a maximum of four players from their previous squad if they want to.
With the upper cap of at most 4 retentions, the franchises will be forced to send most of their players to the auction table in 2022.
Decorated all-rounder Hardik Pandya of Mumbai Indians (MI) is all but certain to return back to the auction pool in the coming IPL auction. With just a couple of retentions, MI have their plans clear to keep their core intact for the coming season as well.
The five-time champions will keep the likes of Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Kieron Pollard as their core for the coming IPL. The notable absentee on the list will be Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan.
Hardik’s chances of retention are pretty low as the all rounder’s stocks fell down drastically owing to his poor form and fitness. The all-rounder didn’t perform for Mumbai Indians (MI) during the whole IPL 2021, though he was constantly included in the playing11.
Moreover, the 28-years old all-rounder has been on and off with his bowling ever since he sustained a back injury. He didn’t even pick the bowl during the whole of IPL 2021. The pace too has dropped for Hardik Pandya, the bowler. Once upon a time, Hardik used to clock early 140 Kmph consistently, but now he is nowhere closer to that mark.
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The junior Pandya used to be a fierce all-rounder two years back, however, his stature as a destructive all-rounder has constantly dipped. Mumbai used to field Hardik as an all-rounder, two years back, however, the all rounder’s presence as a proper batsman in the side has dented MI’s formidable playing11.
“Yes, obviously there is a market dynamics and if required MI will pick him (Hardik Pandya) from the auction, provided he fits within the specific budget. In order of preference, the first five MI players are Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Kieron Pollard, Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan,” told an IPL insider.
The second notable name that isn’t present in Mumbai’s retention list is wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan. The Jharkhand cricketer has been sensational all this while whenever he was given chances upfront. Though he didn’t perform up to his standards in most of the IPL 2021, he was given chance to open in a few innings and the southpaw didn’t waste them at all.
Mumbai Indians (MI) would try hard to fetch him back from the auction table as he will be a key cricketer for the team for year’s to come.
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