Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked four players defending champions Mumbai Indians could retain for the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). While the second half of IPL 2021 is scheduled to start in September, the mega auction ahead of next year’s tournament has grabbed the maximum attention.

Every franchise has started to work on the blackboard for the mega auctions which will shape how the teams will perform in the next few years. Mumbai Indians are known to back their players and keeping their core team intact.

During the last mega auction, they had used RTM for Krunal, when Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were hell-bent on getting the service of the all-rounder. While speaking on his Youtube channel, Chopra has picked Rohit Sharma, Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya as the three Indian players the franchise might retain in 2022.

“The Mumbai Indians are the first team that comes to mind. Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya – you will hundred percent want to retain these three players,” Aakash Chopra said.

However, the cricketer-turned-commentator is worried whether Jasprit Bumrah of Hardik Pandya will be happy with only seven crores. Aakash Chopra stated:

“Among these Rohit will be the first retention, but the second and third, will Hardik or Bumrah be happy with just seven crores. That’s a bit of an issue.”

Kieron Pollard will be the last players Mumbai Indians should retain: Aakash Chopra

Adding further, Chopra picked the big-hitting West Indian all-rounder Pollard as his choice for the last player that MI should retain. Pollard has been served the five-time IPL champions in the best manner possible and forms an integral part of the leadership group.

“I feel they will retain Pollard at the start. So that will be their four retentions,” Aakash Chopra added.

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