Shreyas Iyer has been one of the best batters in the Indian Premier League. The right-handed batter made his IPL debut for the Delhi Capitals and has played only for the Delhi-based franchise in the league. Iyer was the captain of the team before the 2021 season. The Capitals reached the IPL 2020 Final under his leadership.
Unfortunately, Shreyas Iyer picked up an injury during the India vs. England ODI series before the start of the 2021 IPL season. As a result, the Delhi Capitals team management had to assign the team’s reins to wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant. Since the Delhi Capitals performed brilliantly under Pant’s captaincy, the backroom staff continued to use him as the captain even when Shreyas was available.
Now, ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, reports have emerged claiming that Shreyas Iyer is going to leave the Delhi Capitals and register himself for the auction. The following five teams are likely to go for him if he enters the auction pool.
1. Team Ahmedabad
Many fans would know by now that the BCCI is planning to allow the two new teams to buy three players each before the IPL Auction 2022. Two of them can be Indian while the third can be an overseas player. Team Ahmedabad is one of the two new entrants in the competition.
If the Ahmedabad-based franchise aims to sign a leader before the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, they can go for Shreyas Iyer. He is a long-term candidate for captaincy. Also, he will be hungry for runs, keeping in mind that the selectors named him in the reserves of the Indian squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
2. Team Lucknow
Another new team in IPL Mega Auction 2022, Team Lucknow will be in the race to acquire the services of the right-handed batter. Like the Ahmedabad-based franchise, Lucknow’s team owners will be keen to sign a player who has the leadership skills.
Iyer has proven himself as a worthy captain. Delhi never reached an IPL Final from 2008 to 2019. But they ended their drought in 2020 under Iyer’s captaincy. Thus, Lucknow can go for him.
3. Royal Challengers Bangalore
It is a well-known fact that Virat Kohli has stepped down as the captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore team. The Bangalore-based franchise have played all IPL seasons but never won the trophy.
Perhaps, they can start a new era under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy. The trio of Iyer, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli can wreak havoc.
4. Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni is likely to continue as skipper in IPL 2022. However, Dhoni will play a maximum of one or two seasons. So, CSK needs a captain for the future.
Shreyas Iyer can be the perfect pick. He has the experience of captaincy, and in one or two years under Dhoni, he can become a better leader who can take the legacy of the team forward.
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad is a franchise that will look to make a fresh start in IPL 2022. Their former captain David Warner has confirmed that he will be in the mega auction.
SRH are also unlikely to retain Kane Williamson or Manish Pandey. So, Shreyas Iyer emerges as a top candidate for captaincy. He can be a long-term replacement for the former captains of SRH.
