The Indian Premier League (IPL) retention rules were announced on September 28. A franchise can retain up to six players ahead of the mega auction. Usually, IPL franchises want their players to get a piece of international action to help them get better. However, this time around, three IPL franchise may hope that their young recruits may not get to make their T20I debut ahead of the retentions.
On September 28, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also announced India's 15-member squad for three-T20I series against Bangladesh. Three uncapped players -- Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav -- were named in the squad in the absence of senior players.
The deadline for franchises to submit their list of retained players is October 31. If a player makes his debut on or before the deadline date, he will be considered a capped player. Hence, the franchises would not be able to retain for Rs 4 crore. The T20I series between India and Bangladesh will begin on October 6 and go on till October 12.
This will disrupt franchises’ existing plans. If Reddy, Rana and Yadav play even one T20I in the three-T20I series against Bangladesh, the franchises may have to splurge more to get them into their squad even if it is via Right to match (RTM) card.
Who will franchises retain if their star uncapped players make T20I debut?
In aftermath of the announcement, SRH are unlikely to retain any uncapped player if Reddy makes his T20I debut. He may fetch a high price in the IPL mega auction considering fast-bowling all-rounders are a rare commodity in India. In his debut season, he played 15 games and scored 303 runs from 11 innings at an average of 33.66 including two fifties. He claimed three wickets as well. The all-rounder played a big role in helping SRH qualify for the playoffs.
If pace-bowling sensation Mayank makes his T20I debut, LSG may be inclined to retain Ayush Badoni as their uncapped player. Badoni was in good form in Delhi Premier League (DPL) finishing as the second-highest run-scorer.
KKR may look to retain Rana via RTM card as well. Usually, fast bowlers fetch big prices in mega auction. KKR are unlikely to retain uncapped players Suyas Sharma, Vaibhav Arora or Angkrish Raghuvanshi ahead of the auction.
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