Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Bangar didn't limit himself to the traditional "retain" or "release" categories. Instead, he introduced a third option, "repurchase", for players he felt should be released and then bought back at a lower price in the next auction.
While Pooran struggled to justify his hefty price tag with just 234 runs in 14 matches, Pant also failed to produce the kind of season expected from the most expensive player in IPL history. Bangar was even more direct with Avesh Khan, backing LSG to release the pacer altogether after an injury-hit and ineffective season.
At Mumbai Indians, Shardul Thakur earned Bangar's backing after picking up 12 wickets, while Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar were among the players he felt the franchise could move on from. Interestingly, Bangar remained undecided on Hardik Pandya, saying he was "not sure" about the all-rounder's future with the five-time champions.
Among other notable calls, Bangar wanted Gujarat Titans to keep Rahul Tewatia but release Shahrukh Khan, Rajasthan Royals to retain Ravindra Jadeja and Tushar Deshpande while parting ways with Shimron Hetmyer, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru to continue backing Romario Shepherd.
Sanjay Bangar's verdict on the following players
Bangar was asked to share his thoughts on the following players and their IPL 2026 performances. The IPL 2026 stats of these players are listed as well.
Avesh Khan (LSG, Rs 9.75 crore) - Release
Mat - 7, Wickets - 6, Avg - 45.50, Econ - 11.06, BBI - 2/23
Marco Jansen (PBKS, Rs 7 crore) - Retain
Mat - 13, Wickets - 9, Avg - 53.67, Econ - 10.2, BBI - 2/33
Xavier Bartlett (PBKS, Rs 80 lakh) - Release
Mat - 9, Wickets - 5, Avg - 77.60, Econ - 11.58, BBI - 2/9
Trent Boult (MI, Rs 12.5 crore) - Release
Mat - 5, Wickets - 2, Avg - 94, Econ - 11.62, BBI - 1/41
Hardik Pandya (MI, Rs 16.35 crore) - "Not sure"
Mat - 10, Runs - 206, Avg - 22.89, 138.25 - SR, 40 - HS, Wickets - 4, Avg - 64.75, Econ - 11.42, BBI - 1/18
Mat - 9, Runs - 225, Avg - 25, SR - 151, 50s - 2
Mukesh Kumar (DC, Rs 8 crore) - Release
Mat - 10, Wickets - 5, Avg - 71.2, Econ - 11.18, BBI - 3/29
Ajinkya Rahane (KKR, Rs 1.5 crore) - "Depends"
Mat - 8, Runs - 82, Avg - 16.40, SR - 120.58, HS - 35
Shivam Dube (CSK, Rs 13 crore) - Retain
Mat - 6, Runs - 90, Avg - 45, SR - 134.32, HS - 43
Shahrukh Khan (GT, Rs 4 crore) - Release
Mat - 14, Runs - 166, Avg - 27.67, SR - 140.67, 50s - 1
Shimron Hetmyer (RR, Rs 11 crore) - Release
Mat - 13, Runs - 221, Avg - 55.25, 136.41 - SR, HS - 45, Wickets - 10, Avg - 24.9, Econ - 8.03, BBI - 2/8
Tushar Deshpande (RR, Rs 6.5 crore) - Retain
Mat - 14, Runs - 83, Avg - 20.75, 125.75 - SR, HS - 23*, Wickets - 7, Avg - 42.57, Econ - 11.92, BBI - 3/54
Liam Livingstone (SRH, Rs 13 crore) - Repurchase
Harshal Patel (SRH, Rs 8 crore) - Repurchase
Mat - 5, Wickets - 0, Avg - NA, Econ - 10.82,
Retain, release or... repurchase? Sanjay Bangar adds a new option to the game ? pic.twitter.com/g176RMYwXo
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 28, 2026Hence then, the article about sanjay bangar settles rishabh pant nicholas pooran retention debate with blunt verdict was published today ( ) and is available on cricketaddictor ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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