IPL 2021: Franchises Release Players To Fill Upcoming Auction Purse

Gearing up for IPL season 2021 mini-auctions, franchises on January 20 announced the list of retained marquee players and released ones to retrieve more money in the auction purse. While the most surprise package was the retention of Suresh Raina, who left the team last season, CSK has yet again shown confidence on its skipper MS Dhoni and released Murali Vijay, Harbhajan Singh and Shane Watson. The defending champions Mumbai Indians, in a shocking move, released four pacers including Lasith Malinga, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell McClenaghan, and James Pattinson. One the other hand, the IPL 2020 runners up Delhi Capitals have dropped six players from their contingent. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore released the most number of players (10) with some big names including Chris Morris, Aaron Finch, Dale Steyn, and Parthiv Patel. In a shocker, Rajasthan Royals have released their captain Steve Smith along with Tom Curran and have made Sanju Samson as their skipper. Besides, Kings XI Punjab's Glenn Maxwell's struggle for a permanent side continues as KXIP bid him farewell along with Jimmy Neesham and Sheldon Cottrell. While Kolkata Knight Riders plant to retain their big names, Sunrisers Hyderabad hoped to move ahead with its major Indian contingent.