Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan picked four names from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to retain ahead of the much-awaited IPL 2022 mega-auction. Pathan's picks included two overseas and two uncapped Indians from the SRH squad.
As per BCCI's retention policy, franchises are allowed to retain only four players maximum and the teams are required to submit the final list by November 30.
Pathan believes the franchise isn't going to invest in former SRH captain David Warner, despite his outstanding form in the T20 World Cup 2021. Warner was the Player of the Tournament after his terrific display with the bat for Australia.
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During the IPL 2021, the Australia opener was first sacked from captaincy and then was removed from the playing XI of SRH. “What he has done for Sunrisers Hyderabad is commendable but what he was dropped is more than just a cricketing reason. I don't know if it's a loss or not because you want to finish and when you played well for quite a few years for one franchise you don't want to go somewhere else and start your journey again.
"Again, he is not 25 years old. So are you going to invest? No, Sunrisers Hyderabad are not going to retain him for sure. They will look for the future for sure,” Pathan told Star Sports.
SRH are keen on retaining current skipper Kane Williamson for the IPL 2022, but Pathan feels that their first choice will be Rashid Khan. “Kane Williamson will be the leader for them. Ideally, the first pick should be Rashid Khan, but from what I have heard, he might be. We don't know. If he stays, it will be good for Sunrisers. If he doesn't stay, it means he wants something better. First pick will be Kane Williamson,” he added.
Pathan's other two choices for retention are Umran Malik and Abdul Samad. Malik made his IPL debut last season and his speed managed to get a lot of attention.
“Bhuvneshwar Kumar is there, but he hasn't been bowling well. Khaleel Ahmed is there. T Natarajan is there. But they might want to invest in future and you might see Umran Malik and Abdul Samad getting retained. They should be doing that.
Samad is a kind of player who the finish the game. Batting at No.6 and 7 might be the guy for future as long as the Indian team is concerned as well, but he needs to start winning the games and play domestic cricket,” he explained.
(With Star Sports Inputs)
