Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is likely to be sent to the auction pool for the upcoming cycle of the Indian Premier League. The five-times IPL winner may let the all-rounder go to the auction pool as they aren’t sure of the players to be retained for the next season.
The Indian Premier League 2022 will see an expansion with the inclusion of two new franchises. Hence, the next auction of the IPL will be a mega auction where teams will be allowed only four players to retain and the rest of the players will be directly sent to the auction pool.
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Every team will be eyeing to retain the core of their team and so does Mumbai Indians, who have Hardik Pandya at the very core of their team. He has been influential in MI’s success in recent times. However, he may see a miss from being on the retention list.
“I think BCCI will have three-player retention formula with one Right to Match card. If RTM is not there, there could be four retentions. Rohit Sharma and India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah are automatic picks.
“Kieron Pollard will be the third retention. MI’s strength is their continuity as these three are pillars of MI,” a senior IPL official tracking the retention market of franchises told PTI.
“At this point in time, there is less than 10 per cent chance that Hardik will be retained by MI. Yes, he might just outperform everybody in the next few T20 World Cup games but even then, chances are dim. If there are four retentions or 1 RTM, then Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan are the contenders for that slot,” the IPL official added.
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Hardik Pandya hasn’t been in the best of forms in recent months. He hasn’t fared well in the IPL 2021 where Mumbai Indians failed to make it to the playoffs. Also, his back has been a trouble for him in recent times as he wasn’t bowling at the competitive level.
“Yes, obviously there is a market dynamic and if required MI will pick him from the auction, provided he fits within a specific budget. In order of preference, the first five MI players are Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Kieron Pollard, Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan,” the IPL insider stated.
The mega auction is likely to take place in December this year.
