IPL 2022 Mega Auction: 4 Players That Punjab Kings (PBKS) Might Retain

The excitement for the remainder of IPL 2021 matches during September-October later this year is a reason for cheerfulness for Indian cricket fans. While the second leg of IPL 2021 is expected to be thrilling, the next year’s edition of IPL 2022 is going to be even more exciting as it will observe the addition of two new teams. Moreover, there will be a lot of shuffling of players in the current squads, as the IPL 2022 mega auction will also be conducted next year.

According to rules, each franchise will be able to retain 4 players in the squad, out of which there can be either 1 or 2 overseas players and the rest domestic ones. From IPL 2015, Punjab Kings has never managed to make an entry into the playoffs in the Indian Premier League. The franchise went through a lot of changes in IPL 2021, after buying many new players in IPL 2021 auction.

However, that doesn’t emerge to be quite fruitful as Punjab Kings lost 5 matches out of 8 in IPL 2021 and held the 6^th spot in the points table. In IPL 2022 mega auction, Punjab Kings will have a superb opportunity to pick top players from other teams, who will be available for buying during the auction. Punjab Kings will also retain few crucial players in the squad during the next year’s auction. Here we talk about 4 players that Punjab Kings might retain in IPL 2022 mega auction.

IPL 2022 Mega Auction: 4 Players That Punjab Kings (PBKS) Might Retain

KL Rahul

KL Rahul is the skipper of Punjab Kings and he might be the first player whom the franchise might retain in IPL 2022 mega auction. Despite Punjab Kings’ poor show in the last few years, the right-handed batsman KL Rahul has shown spectacular batting performance. The wicketkeeper-batsman smashed 659, 593, and 670 runs in the IPL 2018, 2019, and 2020 respectively.

He was also the highest run-scorer in the last season and won the orange cap. In IPL 2021, the Indian cricketer smashed 331 runs in 7 games, finishing as the 2nd highest run-getter in the first half. In 88 IPL matches so far, the 29-year-old has smashed 2979 runs at an average of 46.53; while also shattering 2 centuries and 25 half-centuries.

Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal is the 2nd player that Punjab Kings might retain in IPL 2022 mega auction. Agarwal has done a decent job for the franchise as an opener. In IPL 2019, the right-handed batsman piled up 332 runs in 13 games. In IPL 2020, he scored 424 runs in 11 matches.

Agarwal also showed a great batting form in IPL 2021, smashing 260 runs in 7 games 2 fifties. Mayank Agarwal is another powerful batsman for Punjab Kings and the franchise might choose to retain the player in the squad in the next season.

Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami is the third player that Punjab Kings might wish to retain in IPL 2022 edition. With his effective pace attack, Mohammed Shami has become a regular player in the national team for the last 3-4 years. In IPL, the right-arm pacer has picked 68 wickets in 73 games at an average of 32.95 and an economy rate of 8.81.

The 30-year-old bowler showcased spectacular bowling in the last two seasons, picking 19 and 20 wickets in IPL 2019 and IPL 2020 respectively. In IPL 2021 too, he was effective in blowing with picking 8 wickets in 8 matches. For an effective pacer in the squad in IPL 2022, Punjab Kings might choose to retain Shami for the spot.

Dawid Malan

Dawid Malan can be another player that Punjab Kings might retain in the next year’s auction. The reason is Malan’s rise in batting in the T20Is in international cricket. Since his T20I debut in June 2017, the England cricketer has risen to the top spot in ICC’s T20I batting rankings with his impeccable batting knocks.

In just 27 T20Is so far, the left-handed batsman has smashed 1090 runs at an average of 47.39. Malan also accounts for 11 fifties and 1 century in 27 games so far. In March 2021 in a match against India, the 32-year-old player became the fastest player to score 1000 runs in T20Is in just 24 innings.

Punjab Kings managed to pick Malan for Rs. 1.5 crore during IPL 2021 auctions. The franchise will not wish to release him out of the squad, as other franchises will be eager to pick the English batsman.