IPL 2014 Auctions: Five players who should have been retained

Azhar Mahmood

Azhar Mahmood – Not retained for experience or age?

I’m a firm believer in the statement that all-rounders are vital to every format of the game. With the IPL going in for a fresh look and starting over from scratch, the new rules in place have made life difficult for the existing franchises. As a result, they have been forced to make some really unpopular decisions.

This is quite true in the case of former Pakistani all-rounder Azhar Mahmood. Once touted as a future skipper, things turned out in a way he would never have expected. Now a qualified British citizen, the 39-year old still packs a punch with both bat and ball.

Yet, Kings XI Punjab chose to go ahead with young turks David Miller and Manan Vohra.

I’m all for youthful exuberance and enthusiasm, but like Test & ODI cricket, Twenty20 also needs players with a wealth of experience. Azhar’s utility is never under question, but his franchise’s choices are somewhat flawed. With Adam Gilchrist hanging up his boots and David Hussey also missing out on retention, it would have been a logical choice to keep the Pakistan veteran in the side.

However, logic seems to be one category that franchises freely neglect prior to the auctions, only to regret their choices later on. I hope Mahmood is re-signed to Punjab; most of the owners are gambling too much with the Joker’s card, and he is just too skilled to be left unsold.