The IPL 2021 mini-auction is around the corner as all the franchises will be attempting to make their side stronger for the upcoming season. IPL 2021 will again consist of 8 teams that will be battling it out to determine the champion of the 14th edition of the tournament.
Recently, IPL Governing Council chairman Brijesh Patel confirmed that the franchises will have to submit their list of retained players within January 20, which means they barely have time in hand.
In this feature, we look ahead at one player from each IPL franchise who is likely to be released. They are quality performers but just hasn’t been able to win matches for their sides in the last few seasons.
Franchise Wise One Player Who Is Likely To Be Released Ahead Of IPL 2021 Auction
1. Chennai Super Kings – Kedar Jadhav
IPL 2020 was a frustrating season for both Kedar Jadhav and CSK. The Indian batsman failed to bat aggressively in the middle and was dropped from the side towards the latter stages of the tournament. The 35-year-old is likely to be released by CSK ahead of the IPL mini-auction in February.
MS Dhoni has already made it clear that the CSK franchise is looking towards the future now and aims to build a team for the upcoming decade. As a result, the successful franchise will part ways with Jadhav who is past his prime as a batsman in the shortest format.
Also Read: Aakash Chopra Picks 3 Players CSK Should Release Ahead Of IPL 2021
2. Kolkata Knight Riders – Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik surprised everyone when he stepped down as the captain of KKR mid-way through the tournament. Karthik even though performed well in patches with the bat but didn’t look his usual self in IPL 2020. Now the KKR management might decide to release Karthik ahead of the auction and invest in a young exciting wicket-keeper batsman.
Several rumours also suggest that KKR is indeed thinking of releasing Karthik ahead of the next IPL season. Karthik was an integral part of KKR in the last few seasons but the franchise are now looking ahead for the future. Thus, Karthik may have played his last IPL season with KKR in the UAE and might be picked by another franchise.
Also Read: Kolkata Knight Riders Likely To Release Dinesh Karthik Ahead Of IPL 2021
3. Rajasthan Royals – Steve Smith
Steve Smith had an awful IPL 2020 season with the bat as he let his side down throughout the season. He was brilliant in the first 3 matches of the season but faded away as the seasoned progressed and looked a below-par T20 batsman. Smith who is the currently the captain of Royals might not play for the franchise in the next season.
It is believed that Rajasthan Royals are contemplating the thought of releasing the star Aussie batsman in the auction. The Royals are looking for a batsman who can bat consistently at a strike rate of 140 which Smith hasn’t been able to do in the last few IPL editions. As a result, the franchise is now looking beyond Smith and searching for another captain and batsman.
Also Read: Rajasthan Royals Likely To Release Steve Smith Ahead Of IPL 2021
4. Delhi Capitals – Ajinkya Rahane
The Delhi Capitals are also likely to clear Ajinkya Rahane ahead of the next auction. The Test specialist of India only played a handful number of matches in IPL 2020 and wasn’t able to create an impact. Rahane looked a liability at number 3 as he struggled to accelerate against both pace and spin the middle order.
The IPL finalists will be looking at SMAT 2021 closely and trying to find an explosive middle-order batsman who has the potential to win matches single-handedly. As far as Rahane is concerned he is likely to be released and he might play for another franchise in the next season.
5. Royal Challengers Bangalore – Gurkeerat Singh Mann
The RCB think tank will be looking to have a more explosive middle order in the next season. Thus, Gurkeerat Singh Mann may be omitted from the side ahead of the next auction. Gurkeerat batted at a strike rate of under 120 in the last season which isn’t ideal for a middle-order batsman.
The RCB management will be hoping to strengthen their middle order so that it makes them a less top-heavy side. Gurkeerat may be shown the exit door as his performances haven’t been noteworthy as compared to others. The middle-order batsman needs to work on his power game to become a regular in any IPL side in the future.
6. Kings XI Punjab – Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell was an enigma throughout the IPL 2020 season while playing for the Kings XI Punjab. The destructive Aussie batsman was expected to be a match-winner but he failed miserably in the season. Maxwell didn’t even hit a single six in IPL 2020 as the KXIP kept giving him chances one after another.
Now the franchise may look for another option in place of Maxwell in the coming season. Maxwell has surprisingly struggled on Indian pitches lately and that is why KXIP might release him ahead of the all-important auction.
7. Sunrisers Hyderabad – Mitchell Marsh
The Sunrisers Hyderabad is a team that always punch above their weight in IPL. The franchise found a gem all-rounder Jason Holder in place of an injured Mitchell Marsh. This proved to be a blessing in disguise for the franchise as Holder played a key role in taking SRH to the playoffs.
Mitchell Marsh is an extremely injury-prone player and the franchise is almost certain to lose him ahead of the auction. The Australian all-rounder has this habit of getting injured and SRH will surely not take any chances by keeping him in the side for the next season.
8. Mumbai Indians – Mitchell McClenaghan
The left-arm seamer from New Zealand has always performed well for Mumbai Indians in his career. However, as soon as Trent Boult came into the side McClenaghan hardly got any chances. He played just a single match in IPL 2020 and the franchise hinted that they are going to stick with the likes of Boult and James Pattinson for the next few seasons.
McClenaghan is almost guaranteed that he will be released by MI as the franchise will be looking at younger international players in the auction on 4 February.
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