With the retention policy for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 having been confirmed, franchises will be busy coming up with strategies for player retention ahead of the mega auction, scheduled for early 2018.
While the likes of star-studded teams Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings (returning after a two-year suspension) and Royal Challengers Bangalore are expected to come up with obvious choices without breaking a sweat, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have a lot of work to do, considering the large sum of money teams need to shell out if they are to retain their stars.
Before discussing KKR's options, take a look at the key points of the newly-drafted retention policy.
A team can maximum retain five players (combination of pre-auction retention and Right to Match (RTM))
A team can retain a maximum of 3 capped Indian players, 2 foriegners and 2 uncapped Indian players.
- If a team retains three players -- the first player will get Rs 15 crore, second will get Rs 11 crore and the third player will get Rs 7 crore.
- If a team retains two players -- the first player will get Rs 12.5 crore, second will get Rs 8.5 crore.
- If a team retains only one player, he will get Rs 12.5 crore.
KKR will be well served if they don't retain anyone and go after their choices in the auction, banking on Right To Match (RTM) cards. However, they have a tricky situation when it comes to captain Gautam Gambhir.
Gambhir: Retention or Right To Match (RTM)?
While the likes of India stars Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma are expected to be retained by their respective franchises, it will be interesting to see if KKR retain their title-winning captain, who has hit two centuries for Delhi in the ongoing Ranji Trophy campaign.
Given his closeness to the team management, one might expect KKR to shell out Rs 15 crore (first choice retention) to retain the Delhi batsman.
However, if KKR decide to let Gambhir into the auction pool, they might get the out-of-favour India batsman (via RTM) at a lower price. Notably, the 36-year-old last played for India in 2016 and has not featured in limited-over cricket at the highest level since January 2013.
Also read:
MS Dhoni is CSK's obvious choice for retention; will they retain Brendon McCullum too?
Hardik Pandya to Kieron Pollard: 5 players who Mumbai Indians could retain
On the flip side, Gambhir's success as captain of the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise will make it difficult for them to let go of him.
Notably, KKR had not finished in the top four before the India opener took over as captain in 2011. And he won the IPL titles with the team in 2012 and 2014.
Also, regardless of his international form, Gambhir has always been a solid performer for KKR. The former India captain also finished as the second-highest run-scorer last season, behind David Warner, with 498 runs from 16 matches.
Overall IPL record: Runs 4,132 at 31.78 from 148 matches; Strike Rate: 124.60
2017 record: Runs 498 at 41.50 from 16 matches; Strike Rate: 128.02
A look at other players who KKR can get using RTMs
Chris Lynn
The Australian big-hitter has been with the KKR squad since 2014, but established himself as one of the vital cogs of the team with a dream run in IPL 2017. The 27-year-old, despite taking a break due to injury last season, smashed 295 runs at 49.16 at a staggering strike rate of 180.98.
Lynn though has not played a single competitive match since May due to a shoulder injury, but is expected to be back for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) with Brisbane Heat.
Notably, Lynn became BBL's first $1-million man when he signed a five-year contract with the Heat in October.
KKR will not want to miss Lynn, who is capable of destroying bowling attacks single-handedly when fit.
Overall IPL record: Runs 384 at 38.40 from 12 matches; Strike rate: 158.02
2017 record: Runs 295 at 49.16 from 7 matches; Strike rate: 180.98
Robin Uthappa
This one is a no-brainer. While KKR might not be willing to shell out more than Rs 10 crore for the Karnataka batsman (as a retained player), the two-time champions are likely to secure his services during auction using RTM.
Uthappa has been KKR's most consistent batsman ever since joining in 2014. Notably, he hit 660 runs at an average of 44 during their title-winning campaign that year.
Overall IPL record: Runs 3,735 at 29.40 from 149 matches; Strike rate: 131.79
2017 record: Runs 388 at 29.84 from 14 matches; Strike rate: 165.10
Andre Russell?
KKR could also consider Andre Russell, but the West Indies all-rounder has been serving a one-year-long anti-doping ban and has not played competitive cricket since January, 2017.
