Aakash Chopra picks four players Mumbai Indians (MI) could retain in IPL 2022 mega auction

The second leg of the 14^th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to begin from September 19 to October 15 in the UAE. Although that has caught the attention of experts, fans, and critics, it is the mega auction at the starting of the year in 2022 that has grabbed the attention of the viewers.

All the eight franchises in the IPL have already started to make all possible plans as to what players they might retain in the team, or for which player they could use the Right to Match Card (RTM). Former India opening batter Aakash Chopra has picked four players from Mumbai Indian (MI), who he thinks the franchise should retain for the next three years cycle.

The five-time champions MI have always believed in keeping their core squad intact. Over the past three to four years, the squad has kept the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, and Keiron Pollard in their team. During the last mega auction, they had used RTM for Krunal, when Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were hell-bent on getting the service of the all-rounder.

While speaking on his Youtube channel, Chopra has picked Rohit Sharma, Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya as the three Indian players the franchise might retain in 2022. “The Mumbai Indians are the first team that comes to mind. Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya – you will hundred percent want to retain these three players.”

However, the 43-year-old was quick to add that neither Hardik nor Bumrah will be pleased with the amount paid to the third retained player among the four. “Among these Rohit will be the first retention, but the second and third, will Hardik or Bumrah be happy with just seven crores. That’s a bit of an issue.”

Aakash Chopra on which overseas player Mumbai Indians should retain

The cricketer-turned-commentator picked the big-hitting West Indian all-rounder Pollard as his choice for the last player that MI should retain. “I feel they will retain Pollard at the start. So that will be their four retentions.”

Apart from these four players, MI can also possibly try to use RTM for Quinton de Kock and Trent Boult, who have been great for them in the past two years.