Most shocking player releases of IPL 2022

The mega auction for IPL 2022 will be held in February.

Every team was allowed to retain only 4 players before the auction, out of which there can only be a maximum of 3 local or domestic players, 2 foreign players, and 2 uncapped players.

So, in that case, the franchises have to release some of their big players to adjust their purse for the auction.

In this IPL season, two new teams are added hence, a total of 10 teams will participate in IPL 2022.

The two new franchises will be Lucknow and Ahmedabad and that’s why a mega auction will take place this year before the start of the tournament.

The 8 franchises announced their retentions list for IPL 2022 on Tuesday (November 30th).

27 players were retained by the 8 franchises which contained a total of 19 domestic players and 8 overseas players.

Many big names didn’t get an entry into the retentions list.

So, here are the top 5 most shocking releases of IPL 2022 retention.

5. Faf du Plessis (CSK)

Faf du Plessis was not retained by his team Chennai Super Kings even after his superb batting performance in IPL 2021.

The stylish right-handed batter smashed 633 runs in just 16 matches in the IPL 2021 at a brilliant average of 45.21.

He finished as the 2nd highest run-scorer of the tournament 

The Former South African skipper also scored 6 brilliant half-centuries, including a fabulous 95-run knock in one game.

The 2021 IPL edition champions, CSK retained English all-rounder Moeen Ali as the overseas option Instead of Faf du Plessis. 

4. Harshal Patel (RCB)

The release of Harshal Patel was one of the most surprising releases of IPL 2022 retentions.

Royal Challengers Bangalore didn’t retain Harshal Patel, who was the leading wicket-taker of last IPL season.

The right-arm pacer took 32 wickets in just 15 matches that he played in IPL 2021 at an average of 14.25.

Harshal Patel also equaled the record of Dwayne Bravo for the most wickets in an IPL season.

RCB  retained only 3 players including Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj and they still have a single spot left before the auction but they didn’t pick Patel in their retentions list. 

3. Shreyas Iyer (DC)

Shreyas Iyer, who remained the skipper of Delhi Capitals for almost 2 and a half years.

He led the Delhi Franchise from the mid- 2018 season to the 2020 season.

Iyer also took his side into the final in IPL 2020 but unfortunately they didn’t win that tournament year.

The Delhi franchise did not even retain him for IPL 2022.

The 4 players retained by Delhi Capitals included Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Prithvi Shaw, and Anrich Nortje.

According to some reports, Shreyas Iyer wanted to lead the team but the franchise management wanted Rishabh Pant to continue as a skipper.

2. KL Rahul (PBKS)

Although the Punjab Kings weren’t able to reach even the playoffs in any of the last two seasons KL Rahul’s performance with the bat was simply outstanding.

The right-handed opening batter ended as the top run-scorer in IPL 2020 while he was also the 3rd highest run-getter in IPL 2021.

The Punjab Kings franchise has claimed that it was KL Rahul’s own decision to go into the auction.

1. Rashid Khan (SRH)

The most shocking release of the retentions list was Rashid Khan’s release.

Rashid Khan is among one of the most dangerous spinners in the shortest format.

He was not retained by his IPL side.

The Sunrises Hyderabad franchise announced Kane Williamson, Abdul Samad, and Umran Malik in their retention list before the mega auction. 

Rashid Khan took 18 wickets in only 14 matches in IPL 2021.

He was the joint-most successful spinner alongside KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy.

According to reports,  the franchise failed to finalize a deal with the right-arm spinner for retentions.