IPL 2017: Virat Kohli says key RCB players likely to be retained for next season already known

The round robin stage of IPL 2017 came to an end, with Royal Challengers Bangalore beating Delhi Daredevils on Sunday. RCB, who finished at the bottom, are already looking ahead at the next season. But it is going to be a tricky affair as there will be a fresh auction ahead of the eleventh edition and one does not know how many players can be retained by a franchise. 

The decision of retaining players could be taken in the near future when the IPL governing council meets and discusses these issues. They have to take a decision at the earliest so that the owners of all the franchises and the team management can make plans for their squad.

Read: IPL 2017 Playoffs schedule

However, Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli and his franchise has already identified some players they would want to retain.

"It's been a season to forget, a season to reflect on. We have got a great chance to look at all the things we've done wrong and refresh as a franchise. We do have guys in the 3-5 player bracket who we want to retain if that's possible. They've shown the right attitude and they deserve it. It's just nice to end on a winning note," Kohli said during the presentation ceremony after the Delhi Daredevils match.

It will be interesting to see how many players a franchise would be allowed to retain in the next edition. Since RCB comprises some big guns of world cricket, the team management may have to deliberate seriously on retaining key players who they think can play an integral part and form a successful association with RCB for some more years. It is not an easy job. 

There are some quality foreign players to keep in mind, including AB De Villiers, Chris Gayle, Shane Watson and Tymal Mills, while Indian players such as KL Rahul, Kohli, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kedar Jadhav are the main names on the list.

One thing is for sure, if it is allowed to retain the older players, De Villiers and Kohli will be the first two names the franchise will choose. Until any official confirmation comes from the governing council, we can just wait to see what would happen.