IPL 2022 Mega Auction: Sehwag names Mumbai Indians picks – As BCCI has already made it clear that IPL 2022 will be a 10-team contest instead of the current eight-team affair and a mega auction is all set to take place before the start of the season, franchises have already started preparing for the same. One big area of concern will be players whom franchises should retain, especially Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings who have succeeded after retaining the core of the team. Former India opener Virender Sehwag said that MI must retain Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and youngster Ishan Kishan and should do away with Hardik Pandya.
“I think MI 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. 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,” said Virender Sehwag after Mumbai Indians’ last league match.
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IPL 2022 Mega Auction: Even though the exact rules of the IPL mega auction are yet to be announced, the belief is that each franchise would be allowed to retain up to a maximum of three players. If that is indeed the case, Sehwag is very clear about the three names he feels Mumbai will retain.
According to Virender Sehwag, MI should retain Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Jasprit Bumrah in their team, excluding all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
IPL 2022 Mega Auction: The former India opener Sehwag believes if Hardik doesn’t bowl, he won’t be able to fetch big money at the auction because of his injury concerns.
“Will he (Hardik) 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 (in the last game against SRH), expect many more from him in time to come because (he) is a top-order batsman, unlike Hardik Pandya who bats lower,” he added.
IPL 2022 Mega Auction: Since undergoing a back surgery, Hardik has bowled sporadically. The 27-year-old all-rounder hasn’t bowled even a single ball for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2021.
Hardik not bowling is also a big concern for the Indian cricket team’s balance going into the T20 WC. If the all-rounder doesn’t bowl for India in the upcoming World Cup, then it will create a major imbalance in the playing XI.
