There is a lot that happens in the Indian Premier League, apart from the cricket that is played on the field. Auctions, player swaps, contract termination, retentions, and other things related to a player’s future. Players tend to get big money in the auctions while some might remain unsold.
Since the inception of the tournament, there have been multiple retentions and player releases. Similarly, this season also, several players were retained by their franchise. Some of them have worked while some players have failed to live up to their expectations. In that case, here are 8 players, one per team, who might get released by their franchise for lack of consistency, or for some other reason.
1. Chris Lynn (Mumbai Indians)
After his release from KKR ahead of the IPL 2020, Australian opener Australian batsman Chris Lynn was roped in by defending champions during the auction. Lynn’s release from KKR came as a shocker, but MI was quick to pounce on KKR’s mistake, buying Lynn for INR 2 crore. However, Lynn is yet to make his season debut, largely due to the brilliant form of Quinton de Kock. So, in that case, Lynn is expected to leave Mumbai before next season’s draft.
2. Shane Watson (Chennai Super Kings)
Veteran all-rounder Shane Watson has been one of the vital cogs for CSK in the past season, following his release from RCB in 2017. However, this hasn’t been the case in the ongoing IPL 2020. The 39-year-old Queenslander isn’t getting any younger. In fact, CSK has the most number of players, over the age of 30. Moreover, the way the team has misfired this season, especially the veterans, CSK are expected to invest more in the youth. Also, this might be Watson’s last season in the IPL, as he way past his prime.
3. Moeen Ali (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Just like Watson, Moeen has been a vital player for RCB for the past 2-3 seasons. However, his case is a bit different. The England all-rounder has hardly featured this season, largely due to the arrivals of Chris Morris and Isuru Udana. Morris and Udana have been a vital part of the team’s success, this season. Keeping all that in mind, RCB is most likely to release Moeen ahead of next season’s draft.
4. Glenn Maxwell (Kings XI Punjab)
Despite his struggles over the last few IPL campaigns, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) bought Maxwell for a whopping Rs 10.75 crore at the IPL 2020 auctions. The Australian all-rounder had set the stage on fire when the IPL was held the last time in the UAE in 2014, scoring 300 runs in just 5 matches. However, this season, Maxwell has completely misfired with the bat as he hasn’t been able to replicate the form he had shown in the BBL 2019-2020. It is highly unlikely that KXIP will offer him such a massive contract for the next campaign.
5. David Miller (Rajasthan Royals)
After playing for Kings XI Punjab over several years, David Miller was bought by Rajasthan Royals African for INR 75 lakh during the IPL 2020 auction. He’s played just one game this season as RR has backed their main overseas players — Ben Stokes, Steve Smith, Jos Buttler, and Jofra Archer. With absolutely minimal playing time under his belt, so far this season, Miller is likely to get released by RR.
6. Ajinkya Rahane (Delhi Capitals)
Ajinkya Rahane is the first and only player on the list. After his release from RR, Rahane was roped in by the newly-improved Delhi Capitals, ahead of the IPL 2020. Though he has played just three games for DC, Rahane hasn’t looked like a confident player. Considering Rahane’s mediocre performances in the season, it seems quite realistic that Delhi will bid adieu to the veteran batsman.
7. Mitchell Marsh (SunRisers Hyderabad)
Mitchell Marsh is a kind of player who can win you games, with both bat and ball, when fully fit. Throughout his career, Mitchell has been an injury prone player, which has limited his growth, whether it’s international cricket or franchise cricket. Marsh injured his ankle in the very first game of the season. Considering Marsh’s injury problems. the SRH management will look for some better options to fill in their all-rounder slots.
8. Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Andre Russell’s inclusion in our list might come as a surprise for many. The all-rounder hasn’t lived up to the hype, following a brilliant IPL 2019 season, where he won the award for MVP of the season. He’s been poor with the bat while his bowling prowess has also been abysmal. Also, one could’ve argued the case of Sunil Narine, who has also misfired with the bat. Sunil, however, still provides an excellent bowling option. KKR management will look forward to acquiring the services of a proper opening batsman, which has been an issue for them this season.