IPL 2022: Underperforming Retained Players

IPL 2022: Before the IPL Auctions, many players went about their business retaining core players, hoping that they would help take the team forward. While some players like Glenn Maxwell are doing a wonderful job, there are others struggling to find a spot in the side due to their below par performances. There are also stars like Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who were retained at maximum price, but struggling to make an impact. Below though, are a few players who were retained but not able to break into the eleven.

Moeen Ali

Last season, Moeen Ali helped CSK bring intent into their game. He came in at number 3, displacing CSK legend Suresh Raina, and eased his way to quick 30s and 40s, helping Chennai win the title. His bowling was also pretty handy and his performance last year led to him being retained for IPL 2022. This season though, Ali hasn’t been able to find his rhythm. He came in late due to visa issues, and found his touch in the first game itself, but struggled to build on. After a few low scores and a niggle, Moeen Ali now finds himself on the bench.

He is almost back to fitness, but with Ali struggling to find his normal touch, he may find it tough to break into the eleven especially after seeing Devon Conway’s recent form.

Anrich Nortje

Anrich Nortje’s lead-up to IPL 2022 was rather unfortunate, leading to him struggling to find a place in the side. He was retained over Rabada for his sheer pace and wicket-taking skills, but suffered with a hip injury early in the year, leading him to miss quiet a bit of cricket. His comeback from injury started with the IPL, but one game in, Anrich Nortje struggled to find his pace and radar, and another niggle led to him missing out on games later on, leaving him on the bench in IPL 2022.

Varun Chakravarthy

Varun Chakravarthy had a dream IPL 2020 and did well in 2021, forming a deadly combo with Sunil Narine. His exploits led to his retention, but this season Chakravarthy has struggled to pick up wickets. His bowling is lacking the mystery it possessed last season and with just four wickets in eight games, Chakravarthy finds himself on the bench, taking a break until he finds his touch again.

See Also: Rinku Singh: KKR’s Understated Star in IPL 2022 – Cricket Winner

Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh Iyer was the success story of IPL 2021. He came in during the second half, and immediately changed the Kolkata Knight Riders fortunes, taking them to the finals. His rise was brilliant, and his style of play makes in an asset to any side. As a batter, Iyer has the ability to bat well at the top and can also finish the innings as he did for India over the last year. He is a useful bowler as well.

Through IPL 2022, Venkatesh Iyer has struggled to get going. He isn’t batting with his usual freedom and has been moved around the order a lot as well in a bid to help him find form. After struggling, Venkatesh Iyer has finally been given a break, but is expected to be back soon and hopefully get a longer run at the top of the order.

Yashasvi Jaiswal

The young star was retained after playing a few handy knocks for Rajasthan Royals last season. He is seen as a core member in a side that is known to build young talent, but with runs not coming his way, Jaiswal again finds himself on the bench. Three games in, the young batter has 25 runs and is now waiting for an opportunity which may not come easy considering the form Devdutt Padikkal is in during IPL 2022.

Abdul Samad

The big-hitter from Jammu played a few cameos for Sunrisers in IPL 2020 and his potential led to his retention this season. He wasn’t consistent in IPL 2021, which made his retention ahead of IPL 2022 a slight surprise, but the potential he possesses made up for his lack of runs.

The handling of Samad though has been a little puzzling. After being retained, he has only been given two games, making four runs in total. The runs haven’t come, but being a retained player, the general notion is to give a longer run to the ones that have been backed by the side to carry the team forward. With SRH doing well, it seems unlikely for him to get games going forward and he will have to impress hard if he is to make a comeback in IPL 2022.