A number of big names, young guns, and legends of the game were retained in the IPL 2022 retention window. Many big names and stalwarts of the game were notably absent from the retention list presented by the eight franchises of the IPL 2022. Two big teams of this league, RCB and MI had one of the toughest choices to make during this retention period. Both teams have big players in their respective teams, who are match-winners in this format. RCB had the likes of Kohli, Maxwell, Chahal, Jamieson, etc. They surely will miss AB Devilliers, who announced his retirement from cricket. On the other hand, the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians, have created a legacy, and picking just four players from a winning squad of 20-25 members was a tough call.
RCB Retention Strategy- Players Retained
Virat Kohli
The former Indian and RCB captain, Virat Kohli, was given the first spot in the retained players list of RCB. Even though Kohli left captaincy last year, he is one of the best batsmen in this format. His technique, temperament, and calibre to win matches single-handedly are one of the prime features of his batting. Kohli is the highest run-getter in IPL with 6283 runs at an excellent average of 37.39. Kohli is the best in the business at the top of the order. RCB had to retain him as he will act as a leader, and his experience will be beneficial for this franchise.
Glenn Maxwell
The Big Show finally made a statement in the IPL with 513 runs at an astonishing average of 42.75, for RCB in IPL 2021. Maxwell gave his name justice as he played exceedingly well for the franchise and his form and consistency were one of the main reasons for RCB to retain him for the next three seasons. Maxwell also contributed well with the ball, and he picked up crucial wickets for his team. RCB is now looking for a new captain, and with the kind of experience Maxwell possesses, he might be one of the choices for RCB in the coming few years in IPL.
Mohammed Siraj
The fierce young Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj has improved his white-ball bowling over the years. RCB took one of the toughest decisions by retaining him this year. But this decision might well be worth it as Siraj has been in tremendous bowling form. He has improved gradually, and he is one bowler who can pick wickets at any stage of the innings. Siraj has an overall economy rate of 8.38, but in IPL 2021, he bowled at an impressive economic rate of 6.78. He has picked 50 wickets in 50 innings in his IPL career, and the Indian pacer has become the head of the RCB bowling unit in the past year. Siraj has improved his skills and, his ability to bowl six perfect yorker’s in an over is a rare thing, which is one of the reasons RCB has invested in him for the coming years.
Key Players Missed
Yuzvendra Chahal
Chahal is one of the biggest players missing in this retention list for RCB. Chahal has performed exceedingly well for RCB for the last seven years, picking 139 wickets in 113 matches. He has been RCB’s prime spinner for the past five years, and his exclusion from the retention list is one of the main debating points in this year’s retention period.
Harshal Patel
The purple cap winner in IPL 2021, Harshal Patel, is another layer who has missed from RCB’s retention list. They went for Siraj instead, and it was a tough decision as Harshal performed brilliantly for RCB in IPL 2021, picking 32 wickets in 15 matches. Harshal is also capable with the bat in hand and is one of the key players to be excluded from the retention list.
Devdutt Padikkal
The young Karnataka opening batsman made his mark in the IPL in 2020 with RCB. Padikkal showcased his batting skills at the top of the order for RCB. In 29 matches, he scored 884 runs at an average of 31.57. Padikkal is an exciting future talent, and it might be a huge loss for RCB if they can’t get him in the auctions after not retaining him this year.
MI Retention Strategy- Players Retained
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, the captain who won MI five championships, had to be MI’s top player to remain with the team. The newly appointed Indian T20 team captain has been one of the best captains and batsmen in this format of the game. Rohit has scored 5611 runs and is the second-highest run-getter in IPL. He is a complete player as he is a brilliant batsman and a smart captain too. For MI it was a no-brainer to retain Rohit in this year’s retention window.
Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah is one of the finest T20 bowlers in the current scenario. Every team wishes to have Bumrah in their team because of his fine skill set with the ball in hand. Bumrah has been one of the consistent performers for MI since his debut in the IPL. He has picked 130 wickets at a stunning economy rate of just 7.42. Bumrah has been the leader of this Mumbai bowling attack for years, and he will continue to do so in the coming years for MI in the IPL. Bumrah was the second player on the list of retained players for MI.
Surya Kumar Yadav
The third player retained for MI was the dashing middle-order batsman Surya Kumar Yadav. Surya has been the pillar of this MI batting unit in the past three years. MI won their previous two titles in 2019 and 2020, and Surya was one of the reasons for the championships. He has been the number three batsman for MI, and his consistency is one of his main features as he has scored 1733 runs at an average of 32.09 for Mumbai Indians. Surya has also four to five years of proper cricket left with him, and if there is a chance after Rohit, he might be given the opportunity to lead MI in the IPL.
Kieron Pollard
Pollard is currently the longest-serving player for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Pollard’s bond with MI is a very strong one, and he has won many matches for MI in the IPL. The Caribbean is the only overseas player retained by MI, and he truly deserves it. Pollard has scored 3268 runs at a whopping strike rate of 149.77 in 178 matches for MI. Also, he has rolled his arm over and picked up 65 wickets in the IPL. Pollard is a complete three-dimensional, and he is one of the finest in the shortest format of the game.
Key Players Missed
Hardik Pandya
It was one of the toughest retention windows for MI as they had to leave some big names off the retention list. One of them was the prolific Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya. Hardik has scored 1476 runs and taken 42 wickets for MI in 92 matches over the last seven years. Pandya is one of the best all-rounders in the shortest format, but currently, due to his injury his form has dipped down a bit, and this may well be the reason for his exclusion from the retention list for MI.
Ishan Kishan
The young and fearless batter, Ishan Kishan is another player who is, missing from the retention list of MI. Ishan is a fierce batter as he provides quick starts at the top of the batting order. He has scored 1133 runs for MI in the IPL at a staggering strike rate of 138.50. He is also a great wicket-keeper which, adds value to his batting skills. Ishan was a great asset, and it was a tough decision for MI to leave him out of the retention list, probably for Surya Kumar Yadav.
Trent Boult
One of the key players to be missed from the retention list of MI is the veteran Kiwi pace bowler, Trent Boult. He is one of the best in the business in white-ball cricket, especially during the powerplay overs. Boult can swing the ball and pick up wickets in the powerplay. He is also a great death bowler, and alongside Bumrah, together they were one of the most dangerous bowling duos in the IPL. Due to his poor performance in IPL 2021, Boult may have been excluded from the retention list.