IPL 2014: Top five all-rounders IPL teams should retain

The Indian Premier League has led the way in establishing new rules for the game as cricket gradually embraces the bit of commerce that comes along with the borrowed frame-work of club football. The process is still at a very nascent stage of development with a different paraphernalia of auctions, bidding wars etc.

Prior to the player auctions for the new season of the Indian Premier League the format (and even the host country) of which is still uncertain, teams will make a giant step when they retain current squad players. The rules allow a maximum of six players to be retained by each team through five direct retained players and if that is done, then one more indirectly through what is called ‘right-to-match card’. The system differs if the number of directly retained players are less than five.

Retaining players is an important exercise for the franchisees not just because it ensures that the best players continue to fuel a side but also because it ensures a somewhat uninterrupted continuity of identity which is essential for continued support of fans.

Thus, this system is directly beneficial to the larger framework of IPL that depends upon building city-based loyalties as well as for the franchisees who depend upon merchandising through their star-players for their revenues. That is, however, the business side of it.

In 2011, when franchisees were allowed to retain a maximum of four players, the sides who retained a core group of players such as Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians enjoyed more success in the ensuing seasons. However, there is not enough evidence to say that that might be a general rule and not an exception.

What can be said without any hesitation is that the teams who do retain players will have to ensure that they make the right choices as retention will make a big hole in their pockets leaving them a lesser fraction of money to invest in other squad players. In such a situation, talented all-rounders become a precious commodity as they offer more services for the same price giving the side greater balance. Here is a look at five all-rounders that IPL franchisees should retain.

5. James Faulkner – Rajasthan Royals

The Australian is primarily a bowler who enjoyed considerable success in the Indian Premier League as well as the Champions League last year with Rajasthan Royals but he proved his worth with the bat in the ODI series against India last year. He smashed 64 runs of 29 balls to drive Australia to a sensational win in the 3rd ODI at Mohali.

His brutal batting on hard, dry Indian pitches will come in handy for Rajasthan Royals who have traditionally been a side of bit-part players pulling their weight together to punch above their weight. Faulkner is not a Brett Lee or a Mitchell Johnson with the ball but he is perhaps much more effective in the limited overs format as he can deliver the goods in critical situations.

He adheres to a tight line and length, can swing the new ball and has an accurate yorker reserved for the last overs. Faulkner finished IPL 2013 as the second-highest wicket-taker with 28 scalps in 16 matches @ 6.75 runs an over. Moreover, Faulkner is an experienced international even though he is still very young and can provide leadership to a side that will need some after the retirement of Rahul Dravid.

4. Ravindra Jadeja – Chennai Super Kings

Sir Ravindra Jadeja, as he is now fondly called, attained prominence with the Indian Premier league when he played a major part in Rajasthan Royals title winning campaign in the inaugural season. His abilities surprised his then captain Shane Warne so much that he still addresses him as ‘the Rockstar’.

He has since become a regular member of the Indian team and a popular member of the Chennai Super Kings. Ravindra Jadeja was bought by the Super Kings at a massive price making him the costliest acquisition for a while.

He is an asset for the side in Indian conditions as he can restrict the scoring rate as well as make those crucial breakthroughs in tense situations. He has the ability to wield the long-handle in the slog overs. His batting strength came through in India’s memorable Champions Trophy final played against England in 2013 which was reduced to a virtual T-20.

Jadeja is a special fielder as well who adds aggression and positive spirit to the make-up of the side. His soaring popularity means that he would be a great investment for Chennai Super Kings.

3. Dwayne Bravo – Chennai Super Kings

The West Indians have made Indian Premier League their own. It is evident in the way they enjoy themselves on the field and that attitude is rewarded by the uninhibited adoration that they receive from local fans. It is not uncommon to find cricket enthusiasts wearing Dwayne Bravo jerseys in New Delhi, in Bangalore, and in Chennai ofcourse!

Bravo finished the last edition of the Indian Premier League as the highest wicket-taker picking up 32 wickets in 18 matches and also contributed a couple of match-winning innings. The West-Indian is a leader on the pitch and provides good back-up to MS Dhoni.

He is an athlete on the field and can change the course of the game with a splendid effort on the field. If Bravo can shoulder greater responsibility with the willow then he will be an ideal all-rounder for Chennai in 2014.

2. Kieron Pollard – Mumbai Indians

The big West Indian basher has been criticized for not being able to reproduce his IPL T20 form for his national side but their is no doubt about his aptitude for the shorter version of the game.

He was a crucial member of the Mumbai Indians squad when they won the title last year. He scored 420 runs at an average of 42.00 including 3 fifties, and smashing 29 mammoth-sized sixes in 18 matches. He is not as fast as you would like a tall West Indian pacer to be but he makes up for it with his wit and aggression.

He has 51 career wickets in 60 odd matches in his IPL career which indicates that he is a partnership breaker in the middle period of the game. He adds a third dimension to the game with his athleticism on the field and not many would have forgotten his incredulous fielding efforts at the boundary line last season when he towered to take some breath-taking catches. He will surely be retained by the defending champions.

1. Shane Watson – Rajasthan Royals

The Australian will come to the Indian Premier League on a high after having been part of a victorious Australian squad which defeated England at the Ashes 5-0. With that series, Watson achieved a personal high as well as he played some fantastic innings in the latter half of the series to pile misery on England.

His ability to smash the bowlers at will and produce match-winning efforts at the top of the order means that he is a one man army worthy of retention just for his batting capabilities. However, Watson has much more to offer.

The Australian is one of the likely candidates to lead Rajasthan now that Dravid has walked into retirement and he will also succeed another Australian great Shane Warne who also captained the franchisee. Watson’s bowling capabilities are under-rated since he is a troublesome customer who has the knack of breaking partnerships.

He finished the last edition of the IPL among the highest run-getters scoring 543 runs in 16 matches at an average just below 40.00. He also picked up 13 wickets at an economy of just over 7.00 making him the most successful all-rounder of the tournament.