IPL 2022: 5 Released players who might get picked by the same teams in the mega auction

The 2022 IPL mega auction presents the opportunity for a huge pool of players to get picked by sides who look to structure their future squads. While some teams have kept their marquee players off the hammer, a major section of their squad will have to fight their way into the 10-team affair this auction.

The retention and released list of players did raise a lot of eyebrows with many stars of the 2021 season excluded by their squads. With the countdown of the mega auction ticking and the excitement building around it, a number of teams may look to buy back a few players, who have played exceptionally for them.

In the article, let’s look at 5 released players who might get picked by the same teams in the mega auction

1. Ishan Kishan – Mumbai Indians 

Mumbai Indians are often known as the king of scouting in the IPL. They are known as the team that produces and grooms emerging talents of modern cricket. Housing a lethal southpaw in its shed for the past three years – Ishan Kishan has been a breakthrough addition to the MI franchise.

Given the license to strike from ball one, the 23-year-old has proven his name on the big stage over the years. His ability to act as a floater and his handy wicket-keeping skills made him an automatic selection in the playing XI. In his three years with Mumbai, he scored 1133 runs at a stellar strike rate of 138.50 across different batting positions.

The eight 50’s against his name and his capability to anchor the innings, taking the 16 ball- 50 in Mumbai’s highest ever score in IPL history this season as an example, make him hard to look away from.

While his exclusion from the retained list ahead of the auction surprised many, Kishan will undoubtedly be on top of MI’s priority list. As the franchise enters the 2022 mega auction with INR 48 crores in their kitty, Kishan might eat away a big chunk of their money. Nevertheless, they will look to reunite him with the core.

2. Shardul Thakur – Chennai Super Kings 

An established architect of breakthroughs, Shardul Thakur has managed to become every captain’s dream all-rounder. Call him on to bowl at any stage, this medium-fast bowler will provide you with a wicket more often than not.

Having joined the Chennai forces in 2018, Shardul Thakur has been a star striker for the franchise. While he hasn’t had the opportunity to come out to bat often, his contributions with the ball made him special. A successful 2021 edition helped him end as the team’s highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets to his name.

A pinch hitter and a valuable bowler at any stage of the game, he has taken 55 wickets for the Men in Yellow in the last three years. While CSK had signed the Maharashtra star for 2.6 Cr back in 2018, they will surely have to dedicate a larger piece of their purse to acquire the allrounder’s services this year.

Being one of their key players in recent times, the man with the golden arm – Shardul Thakur might just be picked by CSK again.

3. Devdutt Padikkal – Royal Challengers Bangalore 

Coming up the ranks as a dependable and consistent opener, Devdutt Padikkal, in only his second year of the IPL, has made a name for himself in the circuit. The flamboyant opener will surely be on RCB’s radar and might be picked by them in the 2022 mega auction.

A centurion in his second year, 884 runs in 29 matches at a strike rate of 125.03 and ending 2021 as the team’s second-highest scorer with 411 runs, Devdutt hasn’t put a foot wrong in the IPL. His quick opening starts with Virat Kohli made sure that the Bangalore team never had to look ahead of the 21-year-old.

RCB did surprise everyone by not holding onto their youngster. Nonetheless, they will surely go into the auction looking to buy back their southpaw star and unite their winning opening combo – Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli.

4. Jason Holder – Sunrisers Hyderabad 

Jason Holder was the silver lining in the otherwise sluggish 2021 campaign for SRH. The all-rounder may just have been a replacement for the injured Mitchell Marsh in the 2020 IPL season, however, it was a blessing in disguise for the Orange Army.

The West Indian managed to create an impact each time he came out to bowl in the last season. Finishing behind Rashid Khan as the second-highest wicket-taker for SRH, he took 16 wickets in just eight matches at a strike rate of 11.93. A powerful lower-order batsman, he also managed to play some crucial innings with the bat and scored a total of 85 runs down the order.

Jason Holder will not only be a valuable addition to the team’s overseas slot but will also help them overcome their dreadful 2021 season through his experience and leadership. Picking up an all-rounder like him in the mega auction will be a boon for SRH as they enter the auction with INR 68 crores in their kitty.

5. Shubman Gill – Kolkata Knight Riders

There may be numerous names that are considered rising talents in Indian cricket, however, Shubman Gill is well on top of that list. The younger opener defied his age (22) to become the leading run-scorer for KKR in the previous season.

In his 58-match long career in the IPL, Gill has scored 1417 runs for the Kolkata Knight Riders at a strike rate of 123. With his strong backfoot technique and sheer class and balance, the opener doesn’t hesitate to take on any bowler.

He has been KKR’s pillar at the top order, helping them get steady starts in many matches. Ending the season on a total of 478 runs with three ’50s, Shubman would have certainly interested KKR’s management.

He may have been pipped by his fellow opener as their third retention, but KKR will look to pick Gill back in the auction as he provides them with a future captaincy option. With INR 48 crores in the bank, KKR would have to shell out some cash but they won’t let him go easily.