IPL 2018 Retentions: Players for whom Right-to-Match (RTM) cards should be used

The Thursday morning air was filled with suspense on which players the IPL franchises would retain. The fans, the experts as well as the players themselves were keeping a close eye on the proceedings. Finally, after hours of speculations and rumours, the player retention list was made public.

Mostly there were obvious names on that list and a few surprising ones as well. The final verdict would be that the franchises played the pre-auction retention game really well, keeping in mind the budget, player's current form, fitness, and availability.

The IPL player auction is scheduled for 27th and 28th of January 2018. As per the IPL 2018 player retention rules, a player can be retained either before the auction or during it using the Right to Match card (a maximum of five players can be retained by any franchise). The first half of the retention process was completed on the 4th of January 2018. The excitement leading into the next half of it is sky high.

The auction day gives the franchises another opportunity to retain their ace players using the RTM cards. During the auction, if a player is acquired by another franchise for X amount, then his previous franchise can use the RTM card to retain him for the same bid amount X. Although the auction is still three weeks away, it is very likely that all the teams would have made up their mind on the players to be retained using the RTM.

Let us have a look at those possible players for each franchise.

Note - A maximum of five players can be retained keeping the following things in mind - maximum three capped Indian players, maximum two uncapped Indian players, maximum two overseas players.

#1 Mumbai Indians (MI)

Players retained - Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jaspreet Bumrah

Maximum players retainable via RTM - Two

Capped Indian players retainable via RTM - Zero

Uncapped Indian players retainable via RTM - Two

Overseas players retainable via RTM - Two

Mumbai Indians retentions were as expected.

The champions of IPL 2017 made a champion move by retaining a top-order batsman, an all-rounder, and an amazing bowler. With just Rs. 47 crore left in the kitty, the MI would be willing to use the RTM card only if the price is right. Following are the key players from the champion side which may be considered for RTM -

Krunal Pandya - The left-handed spin bowling all-rounder had a significant role to play in the Mumbai Indians' success. After being considered initially for the pre-auction retention, Krunal may still be a part of the MI lineup with the help of RTM.

Jos Buttler - An attacking opening batsman, a great finisher, an excellent fielder, and a skilful wicket-keeper - Buttler can wear many hats and be flawless at all of them. If at the end of auction MI are unable to acquire a good wicket-keeper batsman, Buttler may be retained.

Kieron Pollard - The hard-hitting West Indian has been instrumental in MI's success. Pollard's ability to completely wreck the opposition bowling with the bat and his outstanding fielding skills made many think that he will be retained during the pre-auction retention. Hardik Pandya assumes a role similar to his which probably went against him. Irrespective of that, having him in the team is a boon and MI would not be hesitant to use the RTM for him if the price is reasonable.

Note - Harbhajan Singh cannot be retained now as the limit for the maximum number of capped Indian players (3) is reached.

#2 Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

Players retained - David Warner and Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Maximum players retainable via RTM - Three

Capped Indian players retainable via RTM - Two

Uncapped Indian players retainable via RTM - Two

Overseas players retainable via RTM - One

Rashid Khan may probably be retained using RTM by SRH

SRH retained the Orange cap and Purple cap holders of IPL 2017. There is a high probability that the franchise may use at least two of its three available RTM cards in the IPL auction. Following are the three top contenders for the same -

Rashid Khan - The leg-spinning sensation from Afghanistan has bamboozled the batsmen in all the T20 tournaments across the globe in past 18 months. SRH deciding against retaining him in the pre-auction is a very bold move. Considering Rashid Khan's abilities, SRH would not at all hesitate to use the RTM.

Shikhar Dhawan - The southpaw has been in great touch this year across all the formats. He was a key factor in SRH's IPL 2016 and 2017 success and would surely be on their must-have list of players.

Yuvraj Singh - Having worked rigorously on his fitness and batting form for the entire year, Yuvraj looks all set to perform as per his standards in the IPL 2018. If the price seems right, SRH would not let go Yuvraj.

Mustafizur Rehman - One of the best fast bowlers Bangladesh has ever produced - 'Fizz' can bowl leg crushing yorkers and deceptive slower ones. Although he played just one game in IPL 2017 if SRH doesn't use the RTM for Rashid Khan they may well use it for Mustafizur.

#3 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

Players retained - Sunil Narine and Andre Russell

Maximum players retainable via RTM - Three

Capped Indian players retainable via RTM - Three

Uncapped Indian players retainable via RTM - Two

Overseas players retainable via RTM - Zero

KKR not retaining Gautam Gambhir is a very bold move.

KKR's pre-auction retention policy surprised many. Sunil Narine did not have a great IPL last year due to a series of corrections done with his bowling action. But KKR team management's belief in Narine may work wonders and help him come back strongly.

Gautam Gambhir - Captain of the KKR side in last year's IPL and a prolific run-getter - Gambhir was not retained by KKR. Although Gambhir has expressed willingness to play for any franchise, KKR may try and retain him during the auction.

Kuldeep Yadav - The Chinaman bowler - Yadav has grown as a cricketer under the leadership of Gambhir at KKR and Virat Kohli while playing for India. Leg-spinners are generally wicket-takers and KKR would not want to miss out on retaining him.

Robin Uthappa - Since IPL 2016, Uthappa has been KKR's top performer with the bat. His batting technique has improved many folds. Uthappa has been honing his wicket-keeping skills as well. If the price is right, Robin Uthappa may be considered for the RTM.

Note - Chris Lynn and Trent Boult cannot be retained as KKR have reached the maximum overseas players (2) limit.

#4 Delhi Daredevils (DD)

Players retained - Shreyas Iyer, Chris Morris, Rishabh Pant

Maximum players retainable via RTM - Two

Capped Indian players retainable via RTM - One

Uncapped Indian players retainable via RTM - Two

Overseas players retainable via RTM - One

Delhi Daredevils pre-auction retention was as expected.

Delhi Daredevil's choice of players for pre-auction retention is worth applauding - two extremely talented capped Indian batsmen and an overseas fast bowling all-rounder. Two out of the following three could be retained during the auction -

Kagiso Rabada - The young South African fast bowler can consistently clock speeds of 145 Kmph. Rabada is lethal with the new ball and has excellent death bowling skills. He is useful with the bat as well.

Amit Mishra - A wrist spinner who flights the ball tempting the batsman into a drive is always a wicket-taking option for any captain. Amit Mishra has been one such bowler who is not afraid to bowl it full and slow. Retaining him would be important for DD.

Sanju Samson - The awe-inspiring young batsman has impressed everyone with his crisp timing. Samson has become a better cricketer under the mentorship of Rahul Dravid. His wicket-keeping skills too have improved. Note that Samson is a capped Indian player (He played a T20I against Zimbabwe).

#5 Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Players retained - Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Sarfaraz Khan

Maximum players retainable via RTM - Two

Capped Indian players retainable via RTM - Two

Uncapped Indian players retainable via RTM - One

Overseas players retainable via RTM - One

RCB retaining Sarfaraz Khan is a smart move

Perhaps the most surprising decision of all was RCB retaining the 20-year old Sarfaraz Khan. Having a squad full of star international players, RCB's decision was an unexpected one but it can prove to be a game-changer in the auction. Following are a few names which RCB may like to retain -

Yuzvendra Chahal - The astute chess champion is one of Virat Kohli's trump cards in difficult situations. Chahal was expected to be retained in the pre-auction. In a bid to save a bit of money the RCB has taken a bit of risk. Retaining Chahal using RTM may end being rather expensive.

Chris Gayle - RCB's poster boy, the flamboyant West Indian is known for rattling the opposition with is power hitting. Gayle is a true match-winner and the RCB would love to retain him using the one RTM for overseas players available to them.

Travis Head - The Australian Big Bash League star is a great timer of the ball and has sound technique as well. Head plays as per the situation demands. Although he did not have great IPL last year, scoring just 151 runs from 7 matches, RCB still might retain him if the price is right and if they fail to retain Chris Gayle.

#6 Kings XI Punjab (KXIP)

Players retained - Axar Patel

Maximum players retainable via RTM - Three

Capped Indian players retainable via RTM - Two

Uncapped Indian players retainable via RTM - Two

Overseas players retainable via RTM - Two

Not retaining David Miller and Glenn Maxwell was a strange move by KXIP

KXIP has retained just a single player in the pre-auction. Axar Patel's selection ahead of other vital players in the side stunned many. KXIP's game plan is in stark contrast to that of other franchises. Although we may witness more surprises from KXIP, following are the players it may look to retain using the RTM cards -

Glenn Maxwell - KXIP's captain - powerful and aggressive Maxwell has won several games for the team. KXIP should ideally try and retain their best batsman using the RTM card.

David Miller - The calm and composed left-handed South African batsman was a prolific run-getter for the KXIP in previous IPL seasons. Although his form dwindled in IPL 2017, he still remains one of the best batsmen in T20 cricket.

Sandeep Sharma - The medium-paced right arm bowler who can swing the ball both ways and bowl great yorkers in the death overs - Sandeep Sharma was KXIP's best pacer in previous seasons. KXIP's decision of not retaining him in the pre-auction may go against them.

#7 Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Players retained - Steven Smith

Maximum players retainable via RTM - Three

Capped Indian players retainable via RTM - Three

Uncapped Indian players retainable via RTM - Two

Overseas players retainable via RTM - One

RR has been unfortunate as far as retention is concerned

The champions of the inaugural IPL, RR is one of the two comeback teams. Unfortunately, for retention, it did not have many options to choose from as very few players from the 2015 squad are a part of Gujarat Lions or Rising Pune Super Giants - a mandatory thing for retention. Still, there are a couple of players which RR may look to retain using the RTM cards -

James Faulkner - The fast bowling all-rounder has great death bowling skills with a deceptive slower one and a perfect yorker. With the bat, he uses the long handle pretty well. With very few options available, RR is likely to use the RTM for him.

Ajinkya Rahane - Calmness personified - Rahane is out of form across all the formats in recent past. Though he is one of the most accomplished batsmen in India, RR's decision to not retain him during in the pre-auction seems a smart one. Chances are that RR may acquire him for a lesser price using RTM than the price for pre-auction retention.

#8 Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Players retained - MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja

Maximum players retainable via RTM - Two

Capped Indian players retainable via RTM - Zero

Uncapped Indian players retainable via RTM - Two

Overseas players retainable via RTM - Two

CSK's 'Thalaiva' - MS Dhoni is back in the side

The second team that will make a comeback in this year's IPL is the CSK. The hashtag #whistlepodu was trending when CSK's 'Thalaiva' - MS Dhoni was retained (as expected). Dhoni's two favourite men - Raina and Jadeja were also retained. CSK fans are ecstatic and are looking forward to the auction day - an opportunity to retain two more players through RTM.

Let us have a look at the possible options -

Dwayne Bravo - CSK's best all-rounder who can bowl those well-disguised slower-yorkers and can bat in the typical Caribbean style - Bravo is worth retaining. He has been one of the biggest contributors to the team's success.

Brendon McCullum - One of the most entertaining batsmen who scored 158* in the first ever IPL T20 - McCullum opened the innings and most of the times provided a flying start to the CSK innings.

Faf du Plessis - South Africa's Test captain - du Plessis is a great middle order batsman who can hold the innings together and then attack in the slog overs. He also possesses great fielding skills.

Note - Ravichandran Ashwin cannot be retained now as the limit for the maximum number of capped Indian players (3) is reached.