The clock is ticking for the eight existing Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises as the deadline to name the players retained by them ahead of the mega auction before IPL 2022 nears. The teams have to come out with the list of retained players by November 30 and NDTV has learnt through its sources that most of the teams have almost firmed up their respective choices. Among the big names who are likely to be retained by their franchise are MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings), Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians), Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals), Kane Williamson (SunRisers Hyderabad). NDTV had earlier reported through its sources that Royal Challengers Bangalore are likely to retain former captain Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell while Rajasthan Royals are all set to keep Sanju Samson in the fold.

There has been a lot of speculation about whether MS Dhoni would ask CSK to send him to the auction pool in order to have a bigger purse, but sources have informed NDTV that the talismanic captain, who has led the ‘Yellow Brigade’ to four IPL titles will in fact be retained along with star opener Ruturaj Gaikwad and ace all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

The franchise is still deliberating between Moeen Ali and Faf du Plessis for the choice of overseas player to be retained.

Sources have also informed that five-time champions Mumbai Indians are all set to retain captain Rohit Sharma, premier paceman Jasprit Bumrah and wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan, while discussions are on with Windies star Kieron Pollard.

Delhi Capitals are set to retain IPL 2021 captain Rishabh Pant, along with spinner Axar Patel. The franchise is still deciding over the choice of overseas paceman between Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. Prithvi Shaw and young paceman Avesh Khan are also being looked at as possible names who could be retained.

Apart from Kohli and Maxwell, RCB are likely to retain opener Devdutt Padikkal, while the fourth name could be one among Yuzvendra Chahal and Mohammed Siraj.

Jofra Archer is likely to join captain Samson in the Rajasthan Royals’ retention list, while one among the English duo of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes is set to make the cut too.

NDTV has learnt through sources that IPL  2021 finalists Kolkata Knight Riders are likely to retain spin aces Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarty, while SunRisers Hyderabad might also opt for Rashid Khan along with skipper Williamson.

Punjab Kings it seems are going to part ways with KL Rahul, and looking to retain young spinner Ravi Bishnoi, paceman Arshdeep Singh and hard-hitting batsman Shahrukh Khan.

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According to a report on ESPNCricinfo, the teams are likely to get a purse of Rs 90 crore in the upcoming IPL auction.

The report further stated that the two new franchises – Lucknow and Ahmedabad, can pick three players before the auction after the retentions are over. The combination for these two teams would be two Indians and one overseas player.