Come Indian Premier League auction next month, the ‘Red and White’ table yet again is going to be under spotlight. Kings XI Punjab think tank has to do the most brain storming as momentum builds up for the Indian Premier League Season 12.
The Kings XI co-owner Preity Zinta had occupied the most screen space during the live broadcast of the player auction for an all-new season, which had a new broadcaster and a revamped team structure following the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals return from suspension and exit of the two stop-gap teams – Pune and Gujarat.
If the KXIP bench was hyperactive out of choice last year, they are compelled to do the most trading this season. The compulsion arises out of their choice to retain few and chop most of the players they had acquired only last year with an extreme degree of aggression.
A year later, Kings XI will need the maximum number of players – up to 15, 11 Indians and four foreigner. They have the biggest purse to spend on the players – ₹ 36.20 crores.
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS: TO GO THROUGH MOTIONS
If Kings XI were the most aggressive during the auction table for the last season, Chennai Super Kings were the most calculative. Not just for the fact that they are the reigning champions. But also for the fact that their balanced and well thought out choices have been good enough to go with for their title defence. In fact, CSK is the only franchisee that can go through the new season without even going for the auction.
An option to get just two players and ₹ 8.40 crore in the pocket, CSK management will only be going to party in the Bazaar of Players as others go shopping. For the Chennai camp it will be window shopping as they go through motions for major part of the auction process.
DELHI DAREDEVILS BRACE FOR BUSY DAY
The retention and released players list of the Delhi Daredevils camp, like KXIP, in a way is like a self-confession that much before the team failed in delivering on the field, the think tank has failed in the board room and during the auction process. The new Delhi Daredevils management at their disposal will have ₹25.50 crore and option to buy up to 10 player – 7 Indians and three overseas.
RAJASTHAN ROYALS: IN SEARCH OF T20 EXPLOSIVE
Rajasthan Royals have some technically sound batting craftsmen like Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith and Sanju Samson in their retained players list. As the team management go to auction, they will need some T20 trade mark explosive powers with ₹ 20.95 crore to spend on up to 9 players – six Indians and three foreigners.
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE: SOME BRAING STORMING ON THE CARDS
Virat Kohli led-Royal Challengers Bangalore have released Brendon McCullum and traded for South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock along with youngster Sarfaraz Khan. The right choice for the trio will be crucial to the team’s balance. They have the option of buying up to 10 players – 8 home and 2 foreign – but only ₹ 18.18 crore to spend. The opponents, well aware of RCB’s compulsions and limitations, will be challenging them aggressively in the bid process.
Also Read: IPL Moneyball: Virat Kohli 3rd Cricketer to enter 100 Cr Club
MUMBAI INDIANS: TO BENEFIT FROM RIGHT CHOICES
The Mumbai Indians, led by Rohit Sharma in their quest for the fourth IPL title, have made right choices when the trading window and options to retain and release were open. The well balanced Blue and Golden camp will only explore the options to fine-tune their squad with a couple of more choices even as they have ₹ 11.15 crore in the kitty and liberty to trade for up to six Indian and one foreign players.
SUNRISERS HYDERABAD: CAN MANAGE WITHOUT GOING TO AUCTION
Just like Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad can almost manage without going for big shopping during the auction in Goa next month. May be a choice for Shikhar Dhawan and a couple of more acquisitions they will like and can afford for ₹ 9.7 crore in the pocket.
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS: LOW ON MONEY HIGH ON NEEDS
Kolkata Knight Riders camp might not be at ease till the time player auction process is complete. They will have a lot to acquire and precious little to spend to give their squad a right balance for the season ahead. With just ₹ 15.2 crore left in the purse, KKR can go for up to 7 Indian and 5 overseas players. Some of the choices will be very crucial.
Over the course of two days of trading, the eight franchisee will have collectively ₹ 145.25 crore in the kitty as the trading will be limited for a maximum of 70 players – 50 Indian and 20 overseas
Also Read: Indian Premier League Retention: Super catch in 2018, burden for 2019
