IPL 2018: 5 big players who are unlikely to be retainedÂ
The 11th edition of the IPL is more than five months away but the audition process for the players is already in full flow. With the rules and regulations regarding player retention and right to match ahead of the IPL Auction 2018 finalised, it is pretty clear that the teams will have their priorities in place.
Each team will have the option of retaining three players plus two players who can be bought back using the right to match option. The returning Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals will also have their pick when it comes to player retention ahead of the Auction.
But certain circumstances meant that some of the best T20 players are unlikely to be retained by their respective teams. While some will be picked during the Auction, the others are likely to face a nervous wait to see if they are picked are not.
Here are 5 big players who are unlikely to be retained:
Chris Gayle
The all-time leading run-getter in T20s has nearly 3,500 runs for the Royal Challengers Bangalore but his performances in the last couple of season have taken a turn for the worse. For RCB, the 38-year-old opener averages over 43 and has a strike rate in excess of 150 but in the last two editions of the IPL he averages just 22 and has a strike rate of 136.
With only three players available to be retained, his diminishing numbers and the fact that he is 38 means that he is unlikely to be part of RCB's retention plans. Especially when they have the likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Yuzvendra Chahal, who have been incredibly consistent and the likes of KL Rahul, Samuel Badree and co.
While his chances of being retained remain slim, Gayle is certain to be picked in the auction.