4 popular cricketers who might be released ahead of IPL 2023 Auctions
In the recently concluded 15th edition of the Indian Premier League, a lot of big players have failed to perform and are expected to be released by their franchise.
But, after the completion of the mega-auction, the franchises won't like to release their players but according to the rules, they have to release some big names and also have the option to rope other big players from the players' auction.
Likewise, from the IPL 2022, there are a plethora of well-known cricketers who have failed to perform in their category and might get released ahead of the upcoming IPL 2023 auction.
4. Ajinkya Rahane - Kolkata Knight Riders
Ajinkya Rahane has been roped by the Kolkata Knight Riders at his base price of INR 1 crore in the two-day bidding event at Bengaluru. Their first choice opener was the English batter Alex Hales who has pulled out his name due to unavoidable reasons.
After that, the veteran Indian cricketer played 7 games for the side and scored only 133 runs that he played at an average of 19 with a strike rate around just 104. Hence, Kolkata Knight Riders would release the 34-year-old ahead of the upcoming IPL 2023 Auction.
3. Pat Cummins - Kolkata Knight Riders
The veteran Australian pacer, Pat Cummins has been roped by the franchise for INR 7.75 crores in the IPL 2022 mega-auction.
After being roped by the KKR, Pat Cummins played 5 matches for the franchise and scalped 7 wickets at an economy of above 10. Besides, Pat Cummins might himself pull out his name from IPL as the One-day World Cup is going to conclude in India in 2023.
2. Kane Williamson - Sunrisers Hyderabad
The skipper of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kane Williamson has failed to contribute with the bat in this edition of the Indian Premier League.
He was retained by the Hyderabad-based franchise and might get released in the upcoming auction. Getting featured in 13 matches, Kane Williamson scored 216 runs at an average of around 20 and has a poor strike rate of 93.50.
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If SRH releases Kane Williamson, they might buy Steve Smith to lead the side or otherwise can give the captaincy to Nicholas Pooran or Bhuvneshwar Kumar who have led the side before.
1. Kieron Pollard - Mumbai Indians
The West Indies powerhouse, Kieron Pollard is one of the most dangerous cricketers, especially in the shortest format of the game. He has been a regular servant for Mumbai Indians and playing for the side since IPL 2010.
However, the right-handed batter failed to contribute with the bat in the previous season, as he managed to score only 144 runs from 11 matches that he played at an average of below 15 with a strike rate of 107.45.
In spite of him, Mumbai Indians got another good finisher named Tim David who has smashed 186 runs from 8 games at an average of well above 37 and his strike rate hovers around 217.