IPL 2022: Sehwag picks three MI players for retention; makes big prediction for Hardik Pandya

Mumbai Indians have won two IPL titles between the 2018-2021 seasons.

Mumbai Indians | IPL/BCCI

Mumbai Indians (MI) may have failed to qualify for the IPL 2021 playoffs, but they remain the most successful franchise between IPL 2018-2021 phase with two IPL titles. The domination was possible only because they managed to bring talented cricketers to form a strong squad for this phase.

But with mega-auction coming up ahead of IPL 2022, we will not see the same set of MI players in the coming seasons. Reports suggest franchises will be allowed to retain a maximum of 3 players before going into the auction.

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Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag has named the three Mumbai players he expects the franchise to retain. Sehwag also said Hardik Pandya may not be able to attract high bidding if he goes into the auction. 

"I think I would retain Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah. Ishan seems to be in it for the long haul, age is on his side so he can serve you better," he said. 

"If Hardik Pandya doesn't bowl, I don't think he would be able to fetch big money at the auction because due to his injury concerns, everyone would think twice," the ex-cricketer added.

Hardik hasn't bowled for Mumbai this season as well as IPL 2020. The franchise included him in the playing eleven as a specialist batsman, and Sehwag said it won't work in the all-rounder's favor in the upcoming auction.

"Will he bowl or not? If he can declare himself fit and start bowling then teams can buy him at the auction. The kind of performance Ishan Kishan has dished out today, expect many more from him in time to come because is a top-order batsman, unlike Hardik Pandya who bats lower," he said.

Hardik had a mediocre season with the bat and he scored only 127 runs with an average of 14.11. Even his strike rate of 113.39 was not as per his reputation.

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 10 Oct, 2021

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