IPL RETENTIONS: My Thoughts
Every 3 years, there would be retentions, with each team identifying what their core strength really is, and retaining players accordingly, and buying players through Right to Match(RTM) to further strengthen their core. This time, with the inclusion of two new teams, the Right to Match option is not allowed, but the number of retentions has been increased from 3 to 4, in the combination of 2 Indians and 2 Overseas players or 3 Indians and 1 Overseas players. If there are any uncapped players, a maximum of 2 can be retained. So yesterday, each franchise announced their retentions, and here are my thoughts about it. Please let me know if you felt the same. The following picture is the prediction that I made a month ago.
MUMBAI INDIANS: ROHIT, BUMRAH, SURYAKUMAR YADAV, POLLARD
The most successful franchise, Mumbai have retained players that suit their positive brand of cricket. The third Indian player was always going to be tough, with the toss up between Pandya brothers, Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, but Mumbai have went with the local boy in Surya, who has had a good start to his international career, while being among the runs for Mumbai over the last 4 seasons. The only surprise for me though, is placing Pollard as the 4th retention, and prioritizing Suryakumar Yadav. Mumbai will hope that their Indian core comes back at the auction.
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS: JADEJA, DHONI, MOEEN ALI, RUTURAJ
One of the most successful franchises, this retention was more or less expected with CSK opting for experience, and grooming an youngster in Ruturaj for future captaincy. There was always going to be a toss up between Moeen and FAF, and while I expected FAF to be retained, the decision to retain Moeen wasn’t surprising though, as he can be destructive at 3, whilst bowling few overs of spin. They will hope they will get their main players back during the auction.
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS: RUSSELL, VARUN CV, V IYER, NARINE
The foreign retentions were always clear for them, be it Andre Russell or Sunil Narine. Its the Indian retentions that surprised me though. I personally didn’t want Shubmann Gill to be retained, despite putting that name in my list, the sole reason being his inability to bat at higher strike rates. Kolkata wanted a more attacking option to open, and their decision to retain Venkatesh Iyer was more of “strike the rod while it’s hot” kind of retention. It will be interesting to see what kind of team they build during the auction, as they also look for a captain.
SUNRISERS HYDERABAD: WILLIAMSON, UMRAN MALIK, ABDUL SAMAD
Except for Kane Williamson, none of them matched with my prediction list. Their decision to leave out both Rashid Khan and Jason Holder is baffling to say the least, as they both have been consistent for SRH over the years. They have went into the tried and tested formula of “process followed by results”, by opting to go for two rookie Indians. It is kind of weird that they opted for “youth over experience” at the retentions, as many have a good blend of experience and youth at their disposal. I would have personally loved a 4th retention in the form of Holder though.
RAJASTHAN ROYALS: SAMSON, BUTTLER, JAISWAL
More or less the same as I predicted, the management said about the non retention of Archer on “fitness grounds”. The top 3 are now set for the Royals with the retention of these 3, and they will look at the remaining 8 players who are solid and can be destructive. Previously a side which had their foreign choices ticked every time, the team under Sangakkara will look to build a strong Indian core, which has always eluded them post 2008. I personally hope that Samson carries the good form and consistency he had this year to the next year.
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE: KOHLI, MAXWELL, SIRAJ
The first two retentions were mostly predicted by everyone, but Siraj over Padikal and Chahal could be a dicey call. Chahal was the match winner for RCB on a number of occasions, while Padikal looked impressive in the two seasons he has played. Instead of going for a proven performer in Chahal, they have went for Siraj, who has risen above the ranks gradually in the last 2 years. His international sojourn also helped in a big way for him. It will be interesting to see who will captain RCB from 2022.
DELHI CAPITALS: PANT, AXAR, SHAW, NORTJE
I expected Rabada and Dhawan instead of Shaw and Axar, simply because of the value they bring as veterans to the team. They went with proven young performers though, and as always, they will love to bring more Indian players who are young and raw to their team in the auction, while they will try to balance with the experienced players.
PUNJAB KINGS: MAYANK AGARWAL, ARSHDEEP SINGH
This is one franchise which has always thrown surprises every time, be it at the ground, retentions or at the auctions. They have opted for only two players, and while I expected both, I would have liked another two to be retained, either in the form of an overseas all rounder in Henriques or an Indian pacer in Shami, or even Shahrukh Khan, whose performance in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was fabulous.
If I have to say about the retentions, I would say that while Chennai, Mumbai, Rajasthan have struck the chord with the retentions, the remaining teams will have to fight out, as few teams require captains as well.
