IPL 2022 Mega Auction – Gambhir believes RCB should retain Maxwell, release De Villiers: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) hopes of ending their title drought came to a crashing halt after they were knocked out by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Eliminator on Monday. The defeat marks the end of Virat Kohli’s reign as captain and the franchise is set to enter into a new era with the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. Gautam Gambhir, who led KKR to two IPL titles, believes that RCB should have one eye on the future and made a bold claim of the franchise releasing star batsmen AB de Villiers.
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IPL 2022 Mega Auction: “Glenn Maxwell is your future, AB de Villiers is not” – Gautam Gambhir picks his RCB retentions
Royal Challengers Bangalore will have a task hand as they will have to break their squad to shreds before building it all over again during the IPL 2022 Mega Auctions. While Virat Kohli is certain to be retained, the questions remain on the other members as there remains ambiguity over the retention policies heading into next season. Nonetheless, Gautam Gambhir believes it is time for RCB to move on from AB de Villiers, and put their faith in Glenn Maxwell, who chipped in with 500 runs in IPL 2021.
IPL 2022 Mega Auction: “Glenn Maxwell is your future, AB de Villiers is not” – Gautam Gambhir picks his RCB retentions
Speaking in an ESPNCricinfo show called ‘Haan ya Na’ (Yes or No), Gautam Gambhir said that RCB should retain Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal and Glenn Maxwell going into the IPL 2022 mega auction. When quizzed about the possibility of RCB not retaining AB de Villiers, Gambhir responded by saying that it was a highly likely scenario with Maxwell now emerging as an option.
The former KKR captain said, “Yes, because I think they will retain Glenn Maxwell since he is the future, and AB de Villiers is not. I would just want to add that between Harshal Patel and Chahal, one can be picked. So, it’s up to them whether they want to pick either Chahal or Harshal.”
AB de Villiers has retired from all forms of the game but represents RCB in the IPL. The South African veteran had a splendid Phase 1, but fell way short of expectations in the UAE leg of IPL 2021, scoring just 313 runs in 15 games this season. De Villiers will be 38 when next season begins, and RCB will have to make a huge call on his future before the IPL 2022 Mega Auction kicks off.
