IPL 2021: 8 Players who need to play well to get retained in IPL 2022

The second half of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to begin in the UAE on September 19. Already Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) are the two franchises to have reached Dubai to start preparations for the remainder of 31 games. These matches are crucial for all eight franchises considering there is a mega auction lined up in February 2022.

Also, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to include two new teams from next year. Hence, these 31 games will be critical for most of the players to showcase their mettle and remind the franchises of their prowess.

While few players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Keiron Pollard might be retained by their respective franchises, it is the fringe players and the under-performers, who are in trickier situations.

Not only the Indian players, but few foreign players the likes of David Warner, Jos Buttler, and Andre Russell too must be feeling the heat. The eight franchises can retain a maximum of five years (two Right to Match Card) and three-player retentions. Although talks were going on that the teams wanted more caps on players retained, the BCCI has stuck with the original plan of five for time being.

Eight players who need to perform well in the IPL to be retained for the mega auctions for 2022

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad- Chennai Super Kings 

The youngster has got off to a brilliant start in the IPL. The CSK opener registered three ducks in the 2020 edition of IPL but made amends at the fag end of the season by scoring three consecutive fifties.

He thus became the first uncapped player in the history of IPL to achieve this feat. In the first half of the 14th edition of IPL, the right-handed batter got off to a good start as he managed to score two fifties and formed a potent opening combination with Faf du Plessis at the top.

And now he has a chance to press the accelerator by scoring well in the remaining matches for CSK. Gaikwad is only 24 and is tipped to play for India for a long time.

With a more consistent performance at the top of the order, the CSK franchise might look to retain a young player in Gaikwad for the next three years. He has so far scored 400 runs in 13 IPL games at a strike rate of 124.61.

2. Glenn Maxwell- Royal Challengers Bangalore

After a mediocre season of IPL for Punjab Kings in the last edition of IPL, Glenn Maxwell made a grand comeback for RCB earlier this year. The ‘Enigma’ of the IPL rose like a phoenix and scored consistent runs for his new team.

Maxwell had a fixed role in the team and was used at the number four slot by the management. He not only played fearlessly but also allowed AB de Villiers to play with more freedom.

He has already scored over 200 runs in the 14th edition of IPL and will be eager to carry the same momentum going ahead. With RCB most likely to retain Kohli, de Villiers, and Mohammed Siraj, Maxwell would love to play the X-factor knocks for the RCB franchise.

3. Manish Pandey- Sunrisers Hyderabad

Karnataka batter Manish Pandey has not quite managed to play impactful knocks for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as he would have liked to. Signed up for a huge amount of over 10 crores in the 2018 auction, Pandey has had a mixed season with SRH so far.

So far, he has been used at number three and four, but owing to the slow strike rate and his inability to hit the ball, Pandey lost his place in the side in this year’s IPL. But with few games still left in the UAE leg of IPL, Pandey will be looking to bring his experience and look to anchor the SRH batting order.

With the team placed at the bottom of the table, the Karnataka batter would love to score some brisk runs. He has so far racked up 3461 runs in 151 IPL games.

4. Krunal Pandya- Mumbai Indians

Krunal Pandya made heads turn when he was purchased for a whopping amount of over 8 crores in the 2018 IPL auction. Scouted by John Wright in 2013-14, the senior Pandya has been with the franchise for four years.

He has often contributed well with both bat and ball and, his most notable performance came during the 2017 IPL finals against Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS). But since the past two years, he has had mixed seasons for Mumbai Indians with the bat as well as the ball.

With the mega auctions scheduled early next year, the senior Pandya will be hoping to deliver in the UAE leg of IPL. With the franchise set to retain Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah, Krunal would like to chip in with useful contributions with bat and ball.

5. Shreyas Gopal- Rajasthan Royals

Shreyas Gopal has been one of the finds of the tournament for Royals and as well IPL. His leg-spin has been crucial for RR and, his slow bowling has often helped the team win matches singlehandedly. Gopal is also the lead spinner of the attack and has been with the franchise for more than three years.

His poignant moment in IPL came when he managed to dismiss both Kohli and de Villiers back-to-back in one of the IPL games. He has so far picked 48 wickets in 47 games.

With the pitches in UAE suitable for spinners, the youngster will be looking to add more wickets to his already impressive CV and will eye retention when the auctions take place in 2022.

6. Dinesh Karthik- Kolkata Knight Riders

With management putting faith in India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik in 2018 by naming him their skipper, the 36-year-old has so far not set the stage on fire. Always considered highly skilful, Karthik has played well in patches and not consistently as he would have liked.

The right-hand batter has also not made a mark as captain and failed to win games for KKR. Although he quit captaincy, he has not been able to finish games as he would have hoped for.

With age running out, Karthik has to find form and get back among runs. Apart from Russell and skipper Eoin Morgan, he is one of the key players in the batting for KKR.

The 36-year-old also said that he wishes to play T20Is for India. With a good performance in the UAE leg of IPL, Karthik can surely remind the selectors and KKR management that he is not done yet.

7. Anrich Nortje- Delhi Capitals

The South African speedster has formed a potent bowling combination with Kagiso Rabada for two years. It was this deadly combination during the IPL 2020, that helped DC reach finals.

Also, under Shreyas Iyer, Nortje was given the freedom to attack in the powerplay. During the first leg of the 14th edition of IPL Nortje could not get vital wickets. But with IPL set to return in UAE from September 19, the pacer will be vying for crucial wickets at the top.

Also, DC might retain Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Rabada. Hence Nortje must perform well. He has taken 22 wickets so far in 16 matches for DC.

8. Nicholas Pooran- Punjab Kings

The Caribbean batter had a horrible first-half of IPL in India earlier this year. He registered three ducks and looked off rhythm. Touted as the next big thing in cricket, the southpaw came with a reputation in IPL as Punjab Kings shelled out a huge sum to acquire his services.

He has played one or two good knocks but has failed to bring consistency in his game. All is not lost for the Caribbean star as he has enough calibre to stage a comeback with the bat.

Coach Anil Kumble and skipper KL Rahul have trusted Pooran and he will look to pay by scoring runs for the franchise. Also, he will look to play as a finisher in the team and help PKBS lift its maiden title.