Mumbai cannot use their RTM for Harbhajan, KKR cannot use their card for Lynn

All eight franchises will be furiously working towards a strategy for the mega IPL auction, that is set to take place later this month.

This will be the biggest auction that will be held since the first one back in 2008. With all eight original franchises back in the league, the IPL is expected to start a new chapter with this year’s edition.

The IPL retention special took place earlier this month, as all eight franchises announced their retained players. Perhaps surprisingly, all teams retained at least one player, as even the likes of Punjab and Delhi retained a few players.

Most fans were happy about their respective club’s retentions, while only RCB fans were left scratching their heads over the decision to retain Sarfaraz Khan.

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Mumbai Indians retained Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah.

Rohit himself has been an IPL legend, as no man has more IPL trophies than the Hitman. He has captained MI to three IPL titles, after having won one with the Deccan Chargers back in 2009.

Now firmly established as one of the batsmen in the world and competent captain, Rohit is definitely one player that MI can ill afford to lose, as they can build another era with Rohit at the helm.

Each franchise can retain a maximum of two foreigners and three Indian stars, which is why it will be interesting to see how teams will use their RTMs in the auction.

MI still have two RTMs left, but can use it only on their foreign stars, which is why the likes of Harbhajan Singh and Ambati Raydu cannot be bought back to Mumbai.

KKR retained only two players, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell from their current crop of players. This means they have three RTMs left, which they can use only on their Indian players, meaning that they cannot use it on the likes of Lynn and Shakibh.

Now it will be interesting to see what will happen in the auction!