IPL 2021 came to an unexpected halt due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in India. However, BCCI is making all efforts to stage the remaining IPL matches during a potential window in September and October. As per reports, the board is mulling over a likely restart around September 19 with the IPL final expected to be played on October 10.
The originally slated IPL mega auction in 2021 was postponed to be held in 2022. With the possible addition of two more teams in the IPL, the mega auction 2022 could induce greater interest among fans and cricket experts. However, an IPL mega auction tends to leave most IPL teams in a dilemma for which players to be retained for the upcoming season. Just like most teams, the Mumbai Indians camp will have to ponder over the players who might be retained ahead of the 2022 IPL mega auction.
Here's a look at 3 players who could be retained by Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2022 mega auction:
1. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is the most successful IPL captain with as many as five trophies in the last eight years. Undoubtedly, he's a tactician when it comes to captaining Mumbai in the IPL. He would be the first person MI would look to retain both as a player and as captain. Even though his form has been off-color for the last couple of IPL seasons, he still is an automatic choice for retention ahead of IPL 2022.
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If the IPL is scheduled to be held in India in 2022, then the du of Rohit Sharma and Quinton De Kock can tear oppositions apart with their brisk scoring in the powerplay. So, he would be the first player that MI would look to retain.
2. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has grown by leaps and bounds to emerge as one of the best all-format bowlers across the globe in the last few years. Only a few players can match what Jasprit Bumrah can achieve with the white ball in the death overs. His ability to deliver consistently at the most difficult phase for a bowler has left many in awe of the young Indian spearhead.
Time and again, Rohit Sharma has looked upon Bumrah to bail MI out of trouble on quite a few occasions. Ever since his acquisition with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2013, Bumrah has been a regular feature in the playing XI for the franchise. Even in the next IPL edition, Mumbai Indians will look to consider the express fast bowler among the players retained in 2022.
3. Kieron Pollard
Mumbai Indians management will have the task cut out while retaining their third players in IPL 2022. There will be enough deliberation considering what each of their key players brings to the table. In IPL 2018, MI opted to retain Hardik Pandya but there might be a change in strategies going into the 2022 IPL auction. Instead, Kieron Pollard can be considered over Pandya as the third recruit among the players retained by MI in 2022.
Pollard has been one of the greatest match-winners for Mumbai since IPL 2010. The Caribbean all-rounder has lifted his game in helping the ‘Men in Blue' cross the line on a plethora of occasions. With most IPL appearances for Mumbai Indians, the franchise shouldn't mind retaining Pollard ahead of the much-important auction in 2022.