Which players have been retained by different IPL franchises?
The Indian Premier League auctions for the 2018 season will take place on 27th and 28th of January but ahead of that, each franchise was given the option to retain 3 players. The announcement by the IPL teams happened today and as expected, there are no major surprises. Here is a detailed list of the retained players by their respective teams.
Delhi retain young guns, Pant and Iyer
Delhi Daredevils were the first to announce the players they have retained for IPL 11. After a poor 2017 season, the Daredevils opted to retain hard-hitting South African all-rounder, Chris Morris, who was effective both with the bat and ball last year. Wicket-keeper batsman, Rishabh Pant and top order batsman, Shreyas Iyer have also been retained. Can these players turn the tide for Delhi?
Delhi announce their 3 retentions
Mumbai go all Indian
Defending champions, Mumbai Indians, have opted to retain their Indian core by using all their 3 retention cards. Captain Rohit Sharma was the first choice for MI. Death over specialist, Jasprit Bumrah has also been retained. Mumbai Indians decided to go with Hardik Pandya as their third retention. This leaves the franchise with two 'Right to Match' cards.
Dhoni is still CSK's favorite
As expected, Chennai Super Kings used all their 3 retention-cards to 're-create' their former core-team. MS Dhoni will return to the South Indian franchise and so will IPL's highest run-scorer, Suresh Raina. Despite being out of the Indian team for a while, CSK have opted to retain the left handed all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja. CSK's moves were completely in sync with what reports had suggested.
Sunrisers retain Warner and Bhuvi
Sunrisers Hyderabad have retained their captain David Warner. He has been one of the standout performers in the IPL over the last few seasons. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the second choice of retention by the franchise. Surprisingly teen spin sensation, Rashid Khan, has not been retained.
King Kohli 'eventually' gets retained by RCB
Royal Challengers Bangalore were definitely in a fix on whom to retain among their stars. But the batting heavy side, finally decided, to retain skipper Virat Kohli and the dangerous South African, AB de Villiers. Mumbai youngster, Sarfaraz Khan, has also been retained and since he is uncapped, RCB have just spent Rs. 1.75 cr on his retention.
Age becomes a factor for Gambhir
KKR used just two retention cards for spin maestro Sunil Narine, who has now turned himself into a power hitter, and all-rounder Andre Russell. Captain Gautam Gambhir has not been retained by the franchise but they could use the 'Right to Match' card for him.
RR and Punjab retain only 1 player
After serving a 2 year ban, Rajasthan Royals are back in the IPL again and have opted to hold back their best player, Steven Smith. What is surprising is that the franchise let go of Ajinkya Rahane. There is still a possibility that Rahane could be brought back using the 'Right to Match' card. Low spending Kings XI Punjab have just retained Axar Patel.
