Mumbai Indians are set to re-enter the IPL auction pool for colourful all-rounder Hardik Pandya, since the five-time winners are more or less satisfied with the players on their retention list for the 2022 season. With the IPL poised to expand to ten teams after RP-SG and CVC purchased the Pune and Ahmedabad franchises, there will be a significant auction in December this year, with several clubs revamping its core and looking to the future. However, MI, one of the strongest IPL teams over the last 14 seasons, will have practically the same core, with the exception of Hardik Pandya, a flashy all-rounder who has recently become more of a specialist batter. “BCCI, I believe, will use a three-player retention mechanism with a single Right to Match card. There might be four retentions if RTM isn’t present. Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, India’s pace spearhead, are obvious selections. “Kieron Pollard will be the team’s third-year player. MI’s strength is its consistency, since these three are its cornerstones “PTI spoke to a top IPL official who is monitoring the franchise retention market. “At this time, Hardik’s chances of being retained by MI are fewer than ten percent. Yes, he may surpass everyone in the next few T20 World Cup games, but his prospects remain slim even then. Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan are candidates for the berth if there are four retentions or one RTM “
Added the IPL official. MI’s reluctance to keep Hardik is strictly cricket-related, since he is no longer the feared all-rounder that he was two years ago. His back may never enable him to bowl like the sprightly fast-medium bowler he once was. He won’t be able to bowl consistently at late 130 kmph, and no seasoned IPL team will take a chance just on his batting ability. MI may still choose Hardik from the auction if he falls within the budget set out for him. “Yes, there are market dynamics, and MI will select him from the auction if necessary, providing he falls within a particular budget. Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Kieron Pollard, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan are the first five MI players in order of choice “According to a source close to the IPL, Shreyas Iyer may quit Delhi Capitals in search of a leadership job. Shreyas Iyer, a brilliant Indian batter, is not expected to play for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League next year. If sources close to the cricketer are to be believed, he is interested in taking on a leadership role, and it is doubtful that the Delhi Capitals will give over the captaincy to him after Rishabh Pant guided the team to the IPL play-offs this season. Delhi have twice reached the play-offs under Iyer’s leadership, including a first-ever final participation in the 2020 season. Iyer would like to make himself available for a leadership role after having been a successful leader in his own way. There is a fair probability that he will be one of the possible leaders with two new teams in the market and a few like Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings constantly looking for new captains, not to mention RCB. Before the auction, new franchises may be able to select three players from the pool. The BCCI is considering providing the two new franchises (Lucknow and Ahmedabad) the opportunity to select three players from the available pool before the auction to create a more fair playing field. “The idea is to give new teams an opportunity to put together a core. Obviously, modalities must be worked out, including costs and whether or not that particular athlete is willing to be chosen before to the auction. “Because the most of the top franchises will retain India’s and international cricket’s “big boys,” the two new franchises will also require a fair playing field. However, this is still under consideration “According to a BCCI official.