The process of thinking and analyzing about retentions has begun for the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, with the very important auction for IPL 2018 just a month away. Every franchise is considering different strategies to obtain the best possible combination for their squad.
A similar procedure of planning and analyzing has begun for IPL heavyweights, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who are yet to win their maiden IPL title. However, they have a more rousing concern about their player retentions, considering they have two of the most expensive players in Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
The eleventh edition of the IPL will see the return of two integral franchises, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. The two sides will be back after serving a two-year ban, and will be free from the restrictions imposed on them.
Recent BCCI announcements revealed that all franchises including the two returning sides, Chennai and Rajasthan, will have to retain five players from their previous squad.
The teams can opt to retain three players, with the remaining two being retained through the Right to Match (RTM) cards, or retain two players with the other three players through RTM cards. The deadline for the franchises to submit their retentions will be by 4th of January, 2018.
According to a report by Ahmedabad Mirror, RCB is confused over retaining two of their most consistent players in Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. The franchise is figuring out a strategy to combat this situation, after the recent retention policies announced by BCCI.
The latest news suggest that the salary purses of the players will be based on whichever price is higher among the guideline and the actual price.
The deduction from the salary purse of the retained players will be based on the guideline or the actual price (whichever is higher), according to the new BCCI policy.
The new policies have forced RCB to consider retaining their players in the given budget. However, both Kohli and de Villiers will have the option to demand a higher price or can step into the auction upon their will.
The teams will be awarded a purse of 80 crore for the salary cap. And if RCB chooses to retain both Kohli and de Villiers in the upcoming editions of IPL, the franchise will have to pay the players 12.5 and 8.5 crore respectively.
This means, RCB will be left with a budget of 59 crore to complete the rest of their squad, if they are to retain both Kohli and de Villiers.
