IPL 2021: Team-wise players likely to be retained

Although cricket fans have their one eye on the ongoing Australian tour, they would be having some thoughts of their favourite IPL teams as well. IPL Auction 2021 is nearing by every passing day and all the teams are expected to submit their lists of the retained players from last year’s lineups by 20th January. In the build-up to IPL 2021, we will take a look at some of the major names who are expected to be retained by their respective franchises for this season.

Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni: There is no point of discussion on this name even after a lean season last year. If there is CSK, there is MS Dhoni.

Ravindra Jadeja: Beaming from his International heroics, Ravindra Jadeja still remains one of the first players on Chennai Super Kings team sheet without a doubt.

Sam Curran: This English all-rounder was CSK’s most valuable player during the last year. His ability to produce match-winning performances in both departments will earn him the retention in all likelihood.

Ruturaj Gaikwad: Although he was given a late go in the playing XI but Ruturaj Gaikwad certainly made his intentions clear and announced him on the biggest of the stages.

Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma: Just like MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma is no-brainer retention for Mumbai Indians.

Jasprit Bumrah: One of the mainstays in Mumbai Indians’ core and leader of the bowling attack Jasprit Bumrah will be retained by Mumbai Indians.

Pandya Brothers: With both contributing immensely in more than just one department, Hardik and Krunal Pandya will be seen again in Mumbai blues for this season as well.

Kieron Pollard: This all-rounder from Trinidad & Tobago was at his best during the latest edition of Indian Premier League and there are no reasons why he shouldn’t play again for them.

Quinton de Kock: Mumbai Indians are full of two dimensional players and another one of those is Quinton de Kock. With contributions at top of the order last year, he is likely to be retained again this year as well ahead of IPL 2021 Auction.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers: These two superstars form the core around which RCB have been built upon for years.

Devdutt Padikkal: After his heroics in the domestic circuit, this elegant left-hander from Karnataka was given fair opportunities for RCB in UAE. He emerges as one of the future stars of RCB and will be retained by the franchise again.

Yuzvendra Chahal: Although he struggled in the second half of last year’s season, Yuzvendra Chahal still remains one of the main puzzles in RCB jigsaw for this year as well.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Eoin Morgan: World cup winning captain from England, Eoin Morgan led KKR in the second half of the last edition and is likely to be retained by KKR again this year.

Shubman Gill: This young Indian is already catching all the eyes in the test series against Australia. With some useful contributions in UAE, he will be looking to capitalize on the same in the upcoming season of IPL.

Dinesh Karthik: Only because of the fact that this is not a mega auction, Dinesh Karthik is having greater chances of retention at the same franchise.

Varun Chakravarthy: The guy who had almost given up on his cricket career received a timely boost when he was called up by KKR in the last season. And then rest was history as they say, one of the most impressive performers last year will stay at KKR for this season as well.

Delhi Capitals

Shreyas Iyer: Although there were many question marks over his approach in the middle overs, Shreyas Iyer still returned good numbers for Delhi Capitals last year.

Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje: Highest wicket-taker from the last season and his fellow South African is not going anywhere from the Capitals.

Marcus Stoinis: Popularly known as ‘Hulk’ among his team-mates, Marcus Stoinis delivered his best IPL season by some miles.

Shikhar Dhawan: This Southpaw dominated the bowling attacks all throughout the competition and there shouldn’t be any discussions now on his place in the side.

Kings XI Punjab

KL Rahul: Orange cap holder from the last season and the leader of the pack – KL Rahul is a certainty at KXIP.

Mayank Agarwal: KL Rahul’s opening partner in crime Mayank Agarwal will also stay at KXIP to continue to add Karnataka flavor up north.

Nicholas Pooran: One of the most sought-after young players in world T20 circuit is Nicholas Pooran and he saw the world what he is capable of in the last season of IPL.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

David Warner and Kane Williamson: The whole of Hyderabad loves David Warner and vice versa. Although SRH think tank started off with Jonny Bairstow in the XI but Kane Williamson played some crucial innings in the second half to remain firmly in the squad.

Jonny Bairstow: Because of the small pool of International players’ availability in the auction this year, Jonny Bairstow will be retained by SRH this year as well.

Rashid Khan: This Afghan superstar is a proper T20 traveler and will play at Hyderabad again.

T Natarajan & Bhuvneshwar Kumar: This Indian duo of fast-bowlers are at different stages of their careers but both will continue their IPL journeys for SRH again this year.

Rajasthan Royals

Jos Buttler: After playing different roles for Rajasthan last year, there is no one doubting the flexibility and talent of this English talisman.

Ben Stokes: Although he joined the squad late in UAE but still made an impact for RR. Yes, Ben Stokes will continue his progress at Rajasthan.

Jofra Archer: IPL’s one of the most valuable players last year – Jofra Archer will be again running in with brand new white Kookaburra in the pinks of Rajasthan Royals.

Sanju Samson: This Kerala batsman again began last year’s season with a lot of promise and he ended up having more than decent season for them. So as things stand, he is likely to be retained by RR this year as well.

NEXT IPL 2021: Team-wise players who might be released ahead of the Auction

[show_quiz quiz_id=”39″]