While Mumbai Indians are set to retain Rohit Sharma, LSG are yet to decide on KL Rahul’s future with the franchise. (Sportzpics)
India’s T20 World Cup-winning skipper Rohit Sharma, who was replaced by Hardik Pandya as Mumbai Indians captain last season, is likely to be one of the four players retained by the franchise — the other three being Hardik, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav.
The change of captain last season resulted in Hardik being booed at Wankhede Stadium, the team’s home ground. Mumbai Indians had finished last on the table, winning just four of their 14 games.
All IPL franchises have to submit the list of players they want to retain to the BCCI by October 31, as the board prepares for its mega auction in November.
The BCCI has allowed a team to retain six players of which five can be capped players (Indian/Overseas) with a maximum of two uncapped players.
As per the new regulations, retention will cost a franchise Rs 18 crore for the first player, Rs 14 crore for the second, Rs 11 crore for the third, while the fourth and fifth players will cost Rs 18 crore and Rs 14 crore respectively.
In addition, a team can also retain an uncapped player and forgo the Right to Match (RTM). But if they retain only 5, they will keep the RTM option available.
Retaining an uncapped player will cost a franchise Rs 4 crore
If MI retain the aforementioned players they will be docked Rs 61 crore from the total purse of Rs 120 crore. It is learnt that MI will aim to buy wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishen at the auction and use the RTM for Tim David.
RR to retain three
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals have decided to retain three Indian players — captain Sanju Samson, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and middle-order batsman Riyan Parag. The team is also currently in talks with England’s Jos Buttler, it is learnt.
LSG keen on Pooran
Lucknow SuperGiants is likely to retain its two uncapped players — Ayush Badoni and pacer Mohsin Khan — as well as West Indian big-hitter Nicholas Pooran. The Indian Express understands that the franchise is yet to take a call on their captain KL Rahul. The wicket-keeper batsman is currently playing in the India versus New Zealand Test series at home. After a 10-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad last season, television cameras captured an agitated team owner Sanjiv Goenka gesturing with his hands at Rahul during a conversation along the boundary line. At a function where Zaheer Khan was named as LSG’s new mentor in August, Goenka had said: “He (Rahul) is integral (to LSG). He has been here since the inception. For me personally and for (my son) Shashwat, he is like family.”
DC to keep Pant, Axar, Kuldeep
Delhi Capitals is likely to retain three players, wicket keeper and captain Rishabh Pant, all-rounder Axar Patel and left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The franchise is yet to win an IPL title. The franchise has already parted ways with their coach Ricky Ponting, who has moved to Punjab Kings.
Punjab keen on Arshdeep
The franchise is in talks with fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, who they want to retain. The team also wants to retain two uncapped players Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma. Both uncapped players had a breakthrough season and played a vital role for the franchise earlier this year.
