Reports: Mumbai Indians keen to pick Shreyas Iyer in IPL 2022 mega auction

While the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) concluded just over a month ago, preparations for the next season are underway. All the eight existing teams have been asked to submit their list of retained players by November 30. With a mega auction taking place ahead of IPL 2022, the eight existing sides can retain just a maximum of four players.

With the deadline approaching, all sides would be busy brainstorming. Meanwhile, it has been reported that Shreyas Iyer isn’t in Delhi Capitals’ retention list. The right-handed batter has been with Delhi ever since making his IPL debut in 2015. However, Iyer’s association with the side might be ended with DC reportedly planning to retain Rishabh Pant, Kagiso Rabada, Prithvi Shaw and Axar Patel.

If the reports prove to be true, Iyer might find himself in the auction pool where he can bag a hefty amount. Notably, the 26-year-old, who has become a Team India regular in white-ball cricket, has been a prolific performer for DC. He has even led the side in the past. However, multiple franchise would like to get a player of his caliber on board.

Shreyas Iyer to don Mumbai Indians colours?

As per a report in Telegraph, Mumbai Indians are pretty keen to get Iyer’s services. With numerous quality players in the ranks, MI would have had a problem of plenty while making the retention list. While retaining their core players in the auction would be hard for the five-time champions, they are looking at Shreyas Iyer as a formidable addition in the batting order.

“While Mumbai Indians are also reportedly interested in picking Shreyas at the auction, at least one other existing franchise too want him since he is being seen as captaincy material,” read the report.  Speaking of IPL 2022, two new teams – based in Ahmedabad and Lucknow respectively – are set to come in the picture.

Hence, IPL would become a 10-team event for the very first time since 2014. Notably, the two sides would be allowed to pick three players from the list of non-retained players before the auctions. Hence, Iyer might not even land in the auction pool if one of the two new sides pick him.