IPL 2022: Team-wise one unexpected player release ahead of the mega auction

The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League was going along pretty well until COVID-19 decided to get in its way. With a rise in cases in the bio bubbles of a few franchises, the current edition of the IPL has been temporarily suspended.

Every team’s management will still be thinking about their team’s tactics for when the season resumes, but they will also have to start planning about next year’s mega auction. With two new teams in action, the quality will only enhance.

Teams will have to be spot on with their retentions as those players will form the core of their team for the next three-year cycle. There are various permutations and combinations involved in the retention process as there are restrictions regarding many capped Indian and overseas players retained. Thus, certain big players will also have to be released.

Here’s a look at one such player from every team who could be unexpectedly released

8. Chennai Super Kings – Suresh Raina 

Suresh Raina has been one of the best batsmen in IPL history and is without any doubt CSK’s best player of all time as well. He has been a consistent source of runs for them in the top order over the years, but the same can’t be said at present.

He was in a rather poor form this season as he was able to score just 123 runs in six innings at an average of 24.6 while striking at less than 127. After a bright start to the campaign against the Delhi Capitals, he lost his form completely and didn’t have any impactful innings.

It was very similar in 2019 as well as he could score just 383 runs in 17 games at an average of just 23.93. They have got several better options to choose from with the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Faf du Plessis all performing better while also having captain, MS Dhoni. Based on his form in the recent past, it is highly likely that he could be released.