IPL 2022 – Mumbai Indians to release Hardik Pandya ahead of new season

Hardik Pandya is likely to be a part of the IPL auction pool as Mumbai Indians are not willing to retain him for IPL 2022.

With the IPL set to welcome two new franchises from 2022, there will be a mega auction in December this year.

However, MI will retain their core players but it seems they want to move on from the all-rounder who has stopped bowling.

“I think BCCI will have three-player retention formula with one Right to Match card. If RTM is not there, there could be four retentions. Rohit Sharma and India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah are automatic picks.

“Kieron Pollard will be the third retention. MI’s strength is their continuity as these three are pillars of MI,” a senior IPL official tracking the retention market of franchises told PTI.

“At this point in time, there is less than 10 percent chance that Hardik will be retained by MI. Yes, he might just outperform everybody in the next few T20 World Cup games but even then, chances are dim. If there are four retention or 1 RTM, then Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan are the contenders for that slot,” the IPL official added.

He is currently playing in the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE.