"It is not an easy process"- Zaheer Khan opens up on MI's decision to release Hardik Pandya

The IPL 2022 Mega Auction is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. According to reports, the mega auction is slated to take place in the month of February, and like the previous mega auctions, this will also be a 2-day event featuring some of the greatest players in world cricket. 

Hardik Pandya is one of the biggest names in world cricket who is a free agent ahead of the IPL Auction 2022. The Baroda all-rounder has been released by the Mumbai Indians ahead of the mega auction. 

The Mumbai-based franchise have retained the quartet of Kieron Pollard, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah before the mega auction. The Mumbai Indians are likely to buy Hardik Pandya back at the mega auction, but fans should note that either Lucknow or Ahmedabad could sign the all-rounder before the auction. 

Recently, Zaheer Khan, who is a member of the Mumbai Indians’ think tank had an interview with TimesofIndia.com, where he opened up on Hardik Pandya’s release. Here’s what he had to say: 

“The retention calls usually take into consideration various aspects and angles. The debates are usually very long (laughs). It is not an easy process when you set yourself up for a big auction and say goodbye to all players with a heavy heart with whom you spent a lot of time and energy.” 

Hardik Pandya has only played for the Mumbai Indians in his IPL career 

Not many cricket fans knew about Hardik Pandya before the Mumbai Indians signed him at the IPL Auction 2015. 

Pandya impressed straightaway and made his debut for the Indian cricket team in 2016. He was once the top all-rounder in India, but due to his injury issues, he is no longer the player he once was. It will be interesting to see if MI go for him at the mega auction.