5 surprising retentions by teams for IPL 2021

All the eight IPL franchises have started the preparations for the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with full force. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has postponed the idea of expanding the marquee league by adding two new teams to next year. Therefore, the 10-team Indian Premier league will see light in IPL 2022 only.

This also means that ahead of the IPL 2021, BCCI will organize a mini-auction rather than a mega-auction as the latter will be conducted before adding two new teams only. The franchises were thus saved from the headache of deciding which three players they will retain.

Meanwhile, on January 20, all the eight teams submitted their list of retained players to the Indian board. This time they only had to clear their extra baggage to increase their purse for the auction and fill the loopholes in their teams ahead of the new season. While many franchises surprised by releasing some key players, they were some unexpected retentions too by the teams for IPL 2021.

5 surprising retentions by teams for IPL 2021

1. Chris Lynn

Defending Champions Mumbai Indians boasts of having a most competent squad among all the eight franchises. Mumbai had picked Lynn in the auctions for IPL 2020 at a staggering amount of INR 2 crore after he was released by Kolkata Knight Riders. However, Chris had to warm the bench for the entire tournament held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as MI already has a capable batting line-up.

They have a set opening pair of Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma who have done wonders for the team by providing an explosive start. Thus, it was speculated that MI can let go of Australia’s top-order batsman Chris Lynn. However, contrary to the popular belief, Mumbai didn’t release the Australian batter and will continue with him for the 2021 edition too.

In 41 IPL matches, the right-hander has 1280 runs at an average of 33.7 and strike-rate of 140.5. Lynn could have bagged a better contract in the IPL auctions, however, it seems that he will have to sit on the bench for one more edition.