IPL 2018 player retention: Here is all you need to know ahead of the event today
Mumbai: The build-up to the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will continue on Thursday when the IPL player retention event takes place here in the city.
A lot of big names will come under scanner when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announces the list of retained players by each franchise for the upcoming season.
With the new rule of Right to Match card (RTM) making its appearance this season, it will be interesting to see which player goes to which team.
With the deadline for the player retention heating up, we look at the possibilities as to which team could retain whom.
Chennai Super Kings
While CSK have confirmed that they have retained Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina, they are still undecided on the third player who could be retained. One option for the third player could be Ravindra Jadeja, who played for Gujarat Lions in the last two seasons.
West Indies’ Dwayne Bravo if fit, meanwhile, could be retained through the Right to Match card.
Players who could be retained today: MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina
Mumbai Indians
Captain Rohit Sharma looks as the firm favourite to be retained, whereas the defending champions could go ahead with the Pandya brothers, Hardik and Krunal, as the second and third players.
Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see if they retain Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming season. Bumrah, so far, has only played for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Players who could be retained today: Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya
Kolkata Knight Riders
Delhi batsman Gautam Gambhir could be a key player to be released by the Kolkata franchise. Gambhir led KKR to IPL title wins in 2012 and 2014, with the franchise having failed to win the title ever since.
Meanwhile, Chris Lynn and Andre Russell could be two players who could be retained on Thursday.
Players who could be retained today: Chris Lynn, Andre Russell
Royal Challengers Bangalore
India captain Virat Kohli looks set to continue his stay with the team, whereas his teammate Yuzvendra Chahal and AB de Villiers could also be retained.
One big name who could also be retained could be big-hitting Chris Gayle.
If RCB are to win their first ever IPL title, the West Indies’ big-hitter could be a key for them.
Players who could be retained today: Virat Kohli, Yuzvendra Chahal
Sunrisers Hyderabad
While David Warner and Deepak Hooda looks set to be retained, question marks raise over who among Shikhar Dhawan and Rashid Khan would stay with team.
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan was impressive in his first IPL season, bagging 17 wickets from 14 matches. Dhawan, meanwhile, too had a decent season last time around, scoring 479 runs from 14 games, hitting three fifties.
If pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is retained, it will be a boost for the South Indian team, as he picked up 26 wickets from 14 matches last season.
Players who could be retained today: David Warner, Rashid Khan
Delhi Daredevils
Rishab Pant and Shreyas Iyer looks set to retain their place in the Delhi Daredevils set up. While Shreyas Iyer aggregated 338 runs from 12 ,matches last season, Rishab finished with a total of 366 runs from 14 matches.
Players who could be retained today: Rishab Pant, Shreyas Iyer
Rajasthan Royals
Aussie captain Steve Smith will all but be assured of being retained by the Jaipur franchise. Smith has so far notched up two IPL centuries and 10 fifties, across all the teams he has played for.
Players who could be retained today: Steve Smith
Kings XI Punjab
The Punjab franchise could retain just one player ahead of the retention event, and use the Right to Match (RTM) card for retaining rest of the four players, to keep the players who have done well in the past.
The likes of Glenn Maxwell, David Miller and Hashim Amla are the names who have done a good job for the team.
Players who could be retained today: Glenn Maxwell
When is the event?
The event is on January 4, Thursday.
Where will the event be held?
The event will be held in Mumbai.
What time does the event begin?
The event is scheduled to start at 5pm. IST.
Where can you watch the event?
The event can be viewed on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1HD.
