The IPL, which had to take an abrupt pause came back in our lives with much fanfare. The second leg had commenced in fantastic fashion. It gave us some of the best nail-biting matches and did justice to its billing as one of the most entertaining competitions. The play-offs became the highlight of the tournament with Kolkata Knight Riders scrapping their way up to the finals. However, in the end, CSK showed us why they are the ultimate dream team in all of IPL’s history by winning their 4th trophy.
The BCCI has already announced in its AGM that two news teams from cities not represented in the IPL yet would join. The teams have not been formally announced yet. The 2022 season will be preceded by a mega-auction. For this, the retention policy is finally out. After discussion with the existing franchises and the prospective ones, it has been decided each franchise can retain 3 Indian players and 2 foreign players. However, the upper cap for retention has been fixed at 4 so therefore, a franchise can maximum retain 4 players in the stated permutation combination.
Mumbai Indians, arguably IPL’s most successful team would have a tough time finalizing their final 4. They have such a vast talent pool and absolute match-winners that it would be a real headache for the management to come down with the final 4. However, we look at the 4 probable players that they could go for.
1. Rohit Sharma
There are no doubts about the fact that he would be their first pick on this list. He is an Indian legend, won them 5 IPL finals, has had the most successful captaincy run and is their best batsman. Sharma in the last few years has become a cricketing authority. He is slated to take over India’s T20 captaincy as well post the world cup. With a few more years of cricket in him, MI would look at him to give shape to the new team.
2. Jasprit Bumbrah
A true blue Mumbai Indians prodigy, Bumbrah would be retention without a second’s thought. If there was one player other than Sharma who Mumbai Indians would blindly retain, it has to be Bumbrah. He is today rated as the best T20 bowler in the world and causes fear in the minds of the opposition with his toe-crushing yorkers. Bumbrah could well be prepared to someday lead Mumbai Indians in the IPL considering Sharma is progressing towards the latter half of his career.
3. Ishan Kishan
This retention could be debatable. He did not have the most outstanding IPL this year but Mumbai Indians are known to be a franchise that invests in the future. They retained Hardik Pandya in 2018 and that paid them rich dividends. Kishan similarly is a talent of the future. He can clear the ropes with ease, can control his innings to the point of perfection, and is a known performer on the big stage.
4. Kieron Pollard
A few may discount him as a player past his prime but Mumbai Indians may just reward his incredible service and loyalty. Over the years, there are uncountable innings where he has come at the far end of the innings and plundered the opposition with his incredible range hitting. His fielding and energy on the field are two of his greatest talents. As a senior player and experienced campaigner, he brings a lot to the table.
