Reports: Rashid Khan not willing to be SRH's second retained player ahead of IPL 2022 mega auction

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises would be busy brainstorming as the deadline for submitting the retention list is approaching. For the unversed, all eight existing teams have been asked to submit their list of retained players by November 30. With a mega auction taking place ahead of the 2022 season, teams can retain a maximum of just four players at certain prices.

Meanwhile, it has been learn’t that Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are having a tough time in getting leg-spinner Rashid Khan on board. The Afghanistan leg-spinner, who’s arguably the best T20 bowler going around, reportedly wants to be retained as the No. 1 player. However, the Hyderabad-based franchise may want to give that privilege to Kane Williamson, one of the finest captains in world cricket.

Rashid Khan likely to land in the auction pool

Notably, the difference between the two positions is INR 4 crore. Hence, SRH are unlikely to retain both Williamson and Rashid ahead of the bidding event. “Sunrisers Hyderabad could end up with only one retention in Williamson, who is set to continue as their captain as well. The second retention could be Rashid but it’s learn’t that a hard bargain is ongoing between the two parties,” reported Cricbuzz.

If this report comes out to be true, Rashid is set to enter the auction event and many franchises would like to bag his services. Hence, it would be difficult for SRH to get Rashid’s services back once he’s released. Notably, SRH endured a horrendous campaign in the IPL 2021 and ended the league stage as the bottom-ranked team.

Hence, the Orange Army is set to go under a revamp in the upcoming season. Speaking of IPL 2022, two new teams are set to come in the picture –based in Lucknow and Ahmedabad respectively. The 8 existing teams will first get the opportunity to retain a maximum of four players – not more than three Indians and not more than two foreigners.

Following the submission of the list, the two new teams can pick a maximum of three players – not more than two Indians and not more than one foreigner- before the auction event.