The last mega-auction in IPL was held before the season in 2018. Although IPL 2020 marked the end of the three-year cycle, the mega-auctions were not kept before IPL 2021 because two seasons were happening in the space of six months. Hence, it is likely that we would witness IPL 2022 mega auctions. There are strong rumours which suggest that IPL 2022 could involve two new franchises.
RTM or Right To Match card was an option given to franchises to buy back players from their previous season’s squad. In this option, teams can match the winning bid of their ex-player and re-hire him again for the next season. In previous seasons, both the pre-auction and RTM retentions had to be used such that only a maximum of three Indian capped players were retained. The rule may or may not change for IPL 2022 mega auctions. On that note, in this article, we take a look at two players each team might buy back using an RTM card in IPL 2022 auctions.
Chennai Super Kings – Moeen Ali and Deepak Chahar
CSK spent INR 7 crore to get Moeen Ali at IPL 2021 Auctions. The Englishman did well in the games that happened in IPL 2021. However, considering his age and the fact that he could be inconsistent, Moeen may not be a worthy pre-auction retainment. There are anyways better options for that in the current squad. Hence, CSK could use an RTM card to retain him.
In IPL 2018 mega auctions, Deepak Chahar was sold to CSK for just INR 0.8 crore. However, the player has grown in stature now. Yet, he might not be retained before the auctions. That said, Deepak is a quality cricketer and has plenty of potentials to develop further. Therefore, CSK could use the RTM option to re-hire him.
Delhi Capitals – Prithvi Shaw and Kagiso Rabada
Delhi Capitals have plenty of cricketers who are worthy of being retained. However, they could give priority to Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer or maybe even Shikhar Dhawan. It would not be a surprise if they put faith in Avesh Khan as the uncapped retention.
Prithvi Shaw and Kagiso Rabada have been part of DC’s core for a while now. Shaw also offers a long-term incentive of having an established domestic opener in the XI. Rabada has been the best bowler for DC in the recent seasons and the franchise would want to retain him.
Kolkata Knight Riders – Sunil Narine and Nitish Rana
Using an RTM card will have to be part of a decisive strategy by the franchises. Most times, this option is used to buy back cricketers whose price is not too low and also not hitting the roof.
If you take a look at the current situation, both Sunil Narine and Nitish Rana could fall in that category. They are definitely not worthy of a pre-auction retainment but will be useful to have in the IPL 2022 squad. Hence, KKR could use the RTM card for them.
Mumbai Indians – Quinton de Kock and Krunal Pandya
If teams are allowed only three capped retentions before the mega-event, Mumbai Indians will likely go ahead with Rohit, Hardik and Jasprit. That will leave them with very few chances on the players they can buy back using the RTM.
Quinton de Kock is one option since he is the player who has added stability to the batting unit in the last two campaigns. Krunal Pandya was brought using an RTM in IPL 2018 mega auctions. However, he was an uncapped cricketer then. If the rules are made different for the forthcoming event, Krunal could be on the target list for MI.
Punjab Kings – Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal
It would not be a surprise if Punjab Kings retain KL Rahul and release the rest of the players to the auctions. In this strategy, they could explore all possible options at the IPL 2022 Mega Auctions.
Mayank Agarwal is one player whom they will want to buy back. He and Rahul at the top of the order will be the way forward for the franchise. Similarly, the Kings could get Gayle back in the squad cheap if they plan to use the RTM card for him.
Rajasthan Royals – Jos Buttler and Rahul Tewatia
Sanju Samson and Jofra Archer are two cricketers whom Rajasthan may retain before the auctions. In that case, they can target Jos Buttler and Rahul Tewatia using the RTM card.
While Jos is important as the opener for the team, Tewatia will add balance to the XI. Jos could go big, but there are chances that his bid could stop at around INR 7 cr or 8 cr. Hence, the Englishman could be retained using an RTM. Similarly, Tewatia could interest a few other teams and might go for a decent amount, and RR can match the bid.
Royal Challengers Bangalore – Devdutt Padikkal and Glenn Maxwell
RCB would plan to retain Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers before IPL 2022 Mega Auctions. For the franchise, the strategy for the bidding event is pretty much clear. They would target Devdutt Padikkal, who might be a capped player by then.
The other player who would be in the discussion is Glenn Maxwell. The Aussie was a revelation at No.4 for the franchise in IPL 2021. Considering he is a quality T20 cricketer, RCB will look to buy him again using an RTM card.
Sunrisers Hyderabad – David Warner and T Natarajan
Sunrisers Hyderabad is likely to release Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan before the auctions. Depending on the rules for the event, they might target David Warner and T Natarajan using the RTM option.
While Warner is necessary to strengthen the top order and also keep the fans engaged, Nattu is a terrific death bowler and will be welcome in the SRH unit.
