IPL 2014 Auctions: Five retentions that would have happened, if not for the Joker Card

As the franchises enter the IPL 2014 auctions, they shall have a thing or two to think about. No, it’s not just the money purse, or the foreign players cap that they have to worry about this time around. The ‘Joker card’, as a strategic move, will dictate which franchise, ultimately has the upper hand.

This joker card gives its user the “Right to Match” the highest bid for a player from its 2013 squad, whom the franchise decided not to retain. Thus, if Mumbai Indians wish to buy back Glenn Maxwell, they can simply use their joker card and buy him at the highest bid made for him in the auctions! A team which has used 3-5 of its retentions gets only 1 Joker card, while one that has retained 1-2 players gets 2. A team that has retained none of its players, as is the case with Delhi Daredevils, has 3 joker cards at its disposal.

So, what is it that forced the teams to go for the gamble rather than play safe? Why would any franchise not want to retain Mitchell Johnson or Mike Hussey, who could fetch high prices at the auction?

The answer is simple. The Indian Premier League isn’t just a battle fought on the field anymore. Gone are the days, when the two sides would meet, play and shake hands in the end. Games are interspersed with verbal duels and mind games, and every side looks to have a psychological edge ahead of the others. So, when the franchises assemble for the auctions, it shall mark the beginning of the 7th edition of the war that is IPL. Team owners will have their counterparts thinking, pondering ten times over before making a significant move, lest the other team decides to use its Joker card.

Risk-aversion will now be a thing of the past and teams that wish to play safe will end up being the biggest losers in the auction. A franchise may save up its money and bid high for David Warner, only to be later trumped by Delhi Daredevils’ Joker Card. This element of surprise, competitiveness and strategic play will dictate the course of events this IPL, and every team would like to grab the opportunity to earn the early advantage.

Here’s a list of 5 players who would have been retained, if it wasn’t for the joker card.

Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson

Player of the Series in the recently concluded Ashes Down Under, Mitchell Johnson has been in red-hot form. He ripped through England’s prestige batting order, more often than not, ending up with a scintillating 37 wickets from 5 tests. Defending Champions Mumbai Indians would have loved to have a wicket-taking fast bowler in their ranks. He can also prove to be handy with the bat, which gives him the edge over the likes of Malinga. The Nita Ambani led franchise would definitely look to save their only Joker card for Australia’s new ‘Mustache Man’.

Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen

Another player who can be a match-winner on his day is Kevin Pietersen. The Delhi Daredevils franchise threw up a googly when it decided to not retain any of its players from 2013. Therein lies the catch. With 3 Joker Cards at its disposal, the Delhi Daredevils should look to bid for the man who won England the T20 World Cup, and who has been recently labelled as a “million pound asset” in this format of the game. His explosive batting, his lethal switch-hit and his experience can be of great value to any team in world cricket, let alone the IPL.

Michael Hussey

Michael Hussey

He might have retired a year ago, but Australia’s Mr. Cricket was the Orange Cap holder in the previous edition of the IPL, amassing 733 runs, and outscoring the ominous Chris Gayle and consistent Virat Kohli. His amazing run continues, as he is scoring runs at will for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League as well. A dependable batsman, and an obvious choice for opener, Mike Hussey has been one of the reasons for Chennai Super Kings’ success in the earlier seasons. Had it not been for the Joker Card, Mike Hussey would have easily featured among the players retained by the Chennai franchise.

David Warner

David Warner

Another player from the Delhi Daredevils who was a shock exclusion from the list, David Warner was, perhaps, the only saving grace for the deflated Delhi batting line-up last season. He was also one of the pioneers of Australia’s 5-0 Ashes whitewash over England, notching up a century at the WACA and following up with substantial scores in other innings. The prolific opener from New South Wales has a strike rate bordering around 140 in Twenty20s and his skills will definitely fetch big bucks in the auction. Unless, of course, if the Delhi Daredevils pull the joker out of the box.

Quinton de Kock

Quinton de Kock

Not many would have even heard of this young South-African opener last season. However, Quinton de Kock is quite the surprise package. He did not impress much in the limited chances he got with the Sunrisers Hyderabad during IPL 2013, but has come good ever since. He came to the limelight with a brilliant ton for the Highveld Lions in the Champions League 2013, a match his team lost to the Otago Volts in a super-over. Thereafter, he scored three centuries in as many games against India in the ODI series last month and was deservedly named “Player of the Series”. He was the top scorer for South Africa in 2012 U-19 World Cup, and his wicket-keeping skills are an additional bonus. The Hyderabad franchise will definitely be looking to bag this one using a Joker Card.