IPL 2018 Retentions: Hits and Misses

The 2018 IPL retention, where franchises get to choose a maximum of three players to retain for the 11th season of the Indian Premier League, took place in Mumbai on the 4th of January with the event catching a lot of attention on social media.

There were some much-expected decisions made by franchises in retaining players amidst a few surprises. MS Dhoni continues to be yellow on Chennai Super Kings' return while Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers resume their friendship at Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Rajasthan Royals retained Steven Smith while Sunrisers Hyderabad stuck to David Warner and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the purple cap holder of the previous edition. Mumbai Indians got one step closer to retaining their core group of players with Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya continuing in the franchise while Suresh Raina is still with Chennai Super Kings. However, amidst all these regular, anticipated picks there was a slew of surprises and here we discuss those hits and misses from the IPL retention.

Miss - Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Sunil Narine was retained by Kolkata Knight Riders

The wily West Indian mystery spinner was retained over Gautam Gambhir and Chris Lynn by the Kolkata based franchise and this evoked a bit of surprise given that he hasn't been at his very best in recent times. Narine is undoubtedly tailor-made for this format but his recent form suggests that Kolkata should probably have gone another way.

In 2017, the West Indian opened the innings a few times and found considerable success but with the ball, he picked up a mere 10 wickets in 16 matches at an average greater than 40. Having retained Andre Russell as well, Kolkata now go into the auction without having the luxury to use their Right to Match Card (RTM) on a foreign player. (Only two foreigners can be retained/gained via RTM)

Hit - Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians)

Bumrah is a beast in the shortest format of the game

If it's Colin Munro taking over from Chris Gayle as the new T20 giant with the willow, it is Jasprit Bumrah holding the reins now and not Lasith Malinga with the ball. From a tricky bowler with an awkward action, Bumrah has become a vital member in Mumbai Indians setup. But with the retention close, there were rumours strife about Mumbai planning to retain the Pandya brothers alongside Rohit Sharma.

This would have meant Bumrah going back into the auction pool where he would, for certain, have fetched in excess of Rs 7 crore. By retaining Bumrah and pushing Krunal into the pool, they have an option to flash the RTM card to fetch Krunal who is unlikely to go for above 7 crores on the auction anyway.

Miss - Axar Patel (Kings XI Punjab)

Axar has been good for Punjab but worth 12.5 crores?

Axar Patel was Kings XI Punjab's stunning choice as the only player to be retained. That this came from a franchise which boasted of Hashim Amla, Glenn Maxwell and Sandeep Sharma was a total surprise. Axar Patel was undoubtedly a valuable player for Punjab in the previous few seasons but it cost Punjab 12.5 crores to retain the spinner.

Although only 6.5 of it goes into Axar Patel's purse, Punjab are now left with 12.5 crores less than 80 crores when they go into the auctions. Given that they could have retained Hashim Amla, who was terrific for them last season, this was a poor, poor decision.

Hit - Chris Morris (Delhi Daredevils)

Morris was a terrific retention from Delhi

Chris Morris grabbed big headlines when Chennai Super Kings initially picked him several years back for his multiple skill-sets. A few years hence, Morris continues to hog headlines for his ability to alter the course of a game with bat or ball. The South African was sensational for Delhi last season but few would have expected them to retain him for this season.

Although Delhi did miss a trick by letting off Quinton de Kock, Morris' utility as a T20 player is grossly underrated. He can win matches on his own and proved it multiple times last season, especially with the willow. His ability to bowl well at the death and field exceptionally well make him a great asset in this format of the game.

Miss - Chris Lynn (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Lynn's scorching hitting prowess will now be put to the auctions

The Lynnsanity as he is known in the Big Bash League, Chris Lynn is in every way your modern day T20 player. An insane hitter with some stunning array of shots, Lynn set the Big Bash alight quite a few times and showed he could do the same when Kolkata Knight Riders pushed him into opening the innings last year.

However, the franchise preferred to use up their foreign players by retaining two of them - Sunil Narine and Andre Russell - which effectively means that they cannot flash the RTM to obtain Lynn either. The dynamic hitter now goes into the auction pool and Kolkata have only themselves to blame.

Hit - Sarfaraz Khan (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Sarfaraz Khan was a surprise retention by RCB. Credits: IANS

The 20-year-old Sarfaraz Khan hit the headlines on Thursday after the Royal Challengers Bangalore decided to retain the once 'unfit', cheeky, middle-order batsman. The youngster earned plaudits in the 2016 season for his 360° batting, reminiscent of AB de Villiers, and effortless shot making.

However, having played zero games in 2017, RCB weren't expected to retain the youngster ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal or Lokesh Rahul. Being an uncapped player, RCB needed just three crores to retain Sarfaraz. At first glance, it might seem absurd that he would have gone for more than 3 crores but the youngster has a stupendous T20 record and RCB were actually at fault for deeming him 'unfit' and keeping him out of the XI last season.

His 29 T20s has fetched him 332 runs at a stunning strike rate of 153.70. RCB now have 49 crores to use at the auction and two RTMs to get back Chahal and Rahul. Not so bad, huh?