RASHID KHAN SET TO BE IN AUCTION

Rashid Khan not willing to be SRH’s second retention, keen to be the first choice.

The Sunrisers Hyderabad and their superstar leg-spinner Rashid Khan are reported to be in a sort of disagreement over the retentions for the IPL 2022 mega-auction.

Coming to Sunrisers Hyderabad, it’s learned that the franchises’ retentions ahead of the auction are Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan, in the same order. However, the Afghan spinner is reportedly not willing to be SRH’s second retention and wants to be the team’s top priority. On the other hand, the team owners are ardent on Kane Williamson being their number 1 priority in player retention.

Williamson likely to be SRH’s only retention; Rashid expected to land in auction pool.

It’s learned that Sunrisers Hyderabad are trying a hard bargain with the Afghanistan spinner. Notably, the order in which the players are picked for retention determines their salaries for the next edition. Here, the difference between the salaries of No.1 and No.2 pick stand to be Rs. 4 crore.

“Sunrisers Hyderabad could end up with only one retention in Williamson, who is set to continue as their captain as well. The second retention could be Rashid but it’s learnt that a hard bargain is ongoing between the two parties,”.

While Rashid is one of the top T20 bowlers and has been a consistent performer for SRH in the last two years, Kane Williamson is one of the sought-after captains, who is set to lead the franchise in IPL 2022. In case SRH are unable to convince Rashid for the second spot, the Afghan spinner will land in the auction pool for 2022.

Following the submission of the retention list of the existing franchises, where each team can retain up to 4 players (not more than 3 Indian and 2 overseas players), the new teams will also get some advantage ahead of the auction. The new franchises- Ahmedabad and Lucknow can pick up to 3 players (not more than 2 Indian and 1 overseas player) prior to the auction.

If SRH fail to retain Rashid Khan, the new franchises will be eyeing the opportunity to pick the 23-year-old ahead of the auction and make him one of their top-earing players.