IPL 2014: Which players should teams buy in auctions with their RTM cards

We are now less than a month away from the 2014 IPL auctions. Apart from having the choice of retaining a maximum of five players before the auctions, franchises can retain a few more using a brand new concept of ‘right to match’.

‘Right to match’ allows a franchise the first rights on a player who played for them during the 2013 season. If a player has been sold for a particular amount to a new team, his former team still has the rights to match the final bid and take him in their team again.

No team is allowed to retain more than four capped Indian players via a combination of retentions prior to the auction and the ‘right to match’.

We will now look at the potential players who may be retained by their respective franchises using this option.

Mumbai Indians

Number of RTM options: 1

The defending champions will have a headache as their team is filled with superstars. Here are the potential options:

Mitchell Johnson

Seems to be everyone’s favourite. Some were surprised that he wasn’t retained originally considering his current red hot form and MI would do their best to get him on board again. Having the least salary cap among all teams, can they match the price other teams throw at him?

Mitch seems to be everyone’s favourite, but MI might have to settle for Smith.

Dwayne Smith

He solved MI’s long term top order issue with a successful 2013 season by averaging 32 with a strike rate of 122.58. He is in with a shout considering the fact that MI might not want to tinker with their top order again especially with Sachin retiring.

Pragyan Ojha

MI’s spinners had a huge role in their success last season and one of them has already been retained. Ojha stands a chance since they have retained only 3 capped Indian players.

Apart from these three, Nathan Coulter-Nile will be on MI’s radar if the franchise fails to retain Johnson. And a surprise Indian player could be Rishi Dhawan after his recent Ranji exploits.

FINAL VERDICT: Dwayne Smith.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Number of RTM options: 2

It was a bit of a surprise that KKR chose to retain only two of their players despite the presence of some big names in that squad. Perhaps the management felt the need for a change.

Brendon Mccullum

Considering the impact that he has made in the format over the years, it was a huge surprise that he wasn’t retained. Has the potential to break the auction record and that could be the only case where KKR might not retain him.

Shakib Al Hassan

An all-rounder at ease in this format, if the conditions at Eden Gardens remain the same like last season, then they wouldn’t let him go.

Mohammed Shami

India’s newest pace sensation will grab many eyeballs in the auction and one wonders why KKR didn’t retain him. Shami could very well end up as the costliest Indian bowler during the auction.

Could well become India’s costliest bowler in the IPL.

Yusuf Pathan may not be retained since he didn’t do justice to his price tag in the previous editions. And with Kallis, age and last season’s form may turn against him. Morgan’s ability is never in question, but his availability is the key.

FINAL VERDICT: Mohammed Shami and Shakib Al Hassan.

Rajasthan Royals

Number of RTM options: 1

They are the only team to have retained two uncapped Indian players and they don’t have many big names left in that squad to choose from.

Brad Hodge

They are also probably the only team who are absolutely certain about the man whom they would love to retain using their ‘right to match’ card. And that man is none other than the 39 year old veteran Brad Hodge. Extremely fit for his age and is still scoring runs consistently in this format.

He is amongst the runs in the BBL for the Melbourne Stars, and would be RR’s first choice for the RTM.

Kevon Cooper

A player who is very much reliable with the ball, he has delivered for the Royals on most of the occasions and they would love to retain him if they fail to retain Hodge. He ended up with 19 wickets last season and was regularly used in the death overs.

Royals have always promoted lesser known talent and players like Vikramjeet Malik, Rahul Shukla would hope to retain their spots, but it’s almost certain that they would go for Hodge.

FINAL VERDICT: Brad Hodge

Chennai Super Kings

Number of RTM options: 1

Much like the Royals, CSK don’t have too many options either. They are the only team to have retained all four capped Indian players, which means they won’t be able to retain the likes of Badrinath, Vijay or Mohit Sharma using RTM.

Michael Hussey

Hussey is expected to be first choice. He won the orange cap last season and is amongst the runs in the Big Bash as well. Also the fact that he has been associated with CSK ever since the beginning could work in his favour as he had reiterated his wish to end his career with them.

Who wouldn’t want to retain last season’s Orange cap winner?

Faf Du Plessis

If not Mike Hussey, then the automatic choice would be to replace him at the top with South Africa’s T20 captain. He didn’t play a single game last season but had a great time in the 2012 edition scoring 398 at an average of 33 and a strike rate of 131.

The two South African all-rounders Chris Morris and Albie Morkel have an outside chance. Morris had a good first season last time around but Morkel was not utilized much.

FINAL VERDICT: Michael Hussey

Delhi Daredevils

Number of RTM options: 3

Poor performances in the last two seasons convinced DD not to retain anyone. But there are a few players in that squad who needs a look in during the auctions.

David Warner

The man is in rich vein of form and was widely tipped to be retained by the franchise, but due to some reason, it didn’t happen. He might be retained now since they are the only team whose purse is completely full.

Warner’s current form should be reason enough for the DD management to retain him.

Kevin Pietersen

Speculation surrounding his international future has made things more complicated for the dashing batsman. His availability is the key.

Local boys

Despite poor form, Viru still creates that panic among bowlers and he might be retained for a lower price considering the fact that he is a local fan favourite. But if the management wants to build a team for the future, then Delhi’s latest heartthrob Unmukt Chand might get picked ahead of Viru.

Other options include the likes of Jesse Ryder and Morne Morkel with the former being in excellent form now since making a comeback. Irfan Pathan’s frequent injury problems and not so impressive performances in the previous editions might get him the axe.

FINAL VERDICT: David Warner, Unmukt Chand and Jesse Ryder

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Number of RTM options: 1

Having retained three of their biggest players, RCB might want to build a new team around them. In that scenario, their options are pretty much limited.

Tillakaratne Dilshan

One of those seasoned T20 openers. Offers an all-round option and is an excellent fielder. He might not be retained if RCB go for overseas seamers in the auction.

Indian Pacers

One among Zaheer Khan, Vinay Kumar and Jaydev Unadkat could be retained. Zaheer played only two games last season, but he is much fitter now and that might tempt the management to retain him. Vinay picked up 23 wickets last season and was their best bowler. Being a local lad is an added advantage.

If not for Zaheer, Vinay Kumar could be the Indian Pacer that RCB retains.

RCB spent heavily on Saurabh Tiwary and Cheteshwar Pujara, but both failed to make an impact. So they are not expected to be retained and young Vijay Zol could be the surprise package considering his recent form with the Indian Under-19 team.

FINAL VERDICT: Vinay Kumar

Kings XI Punjab

Number of RTM options: 2

They surprised everyone by retaining 20 year old uncapped batsman Manan Vohra. So what are the options left now?

Shaun Marsh

He has played for them ever since the beginning and is their most successful batsman. He played only eight games last season but still managed to average 37.5 at a strike rate of 120.

Shaun Marsh has been Punjab’s best batsman across all six seasons.

Mandeep Singh

How is Vohra retained but not Mandeep? He was voted the best young player in the 2012 edition and despite not enjoying a great season last time around, he could have been retained.

Parvinder Awana

Impressed one and all with his pace and bounce. He picked up 15 wickets at an economy of 7.6 in IPL6. Praveen Kumar’s long term absence due to injury would mean that Punjab may look at Awana closely.

Another youngster who has a chance would be Sandeep Sharma who impressed in the Under-19 world cup and also in the four games he played last season. David Hussey’s age might work against his favour.

FINAL VERDICT: Shaun Marsh and Parvinder Awana

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Number of RTM options: 2

Simply spoilt for choices, but what might worry them is the fact that most of those are overseas choices.

Amit Mishra

If there is one Indian player whom SRH might be interested in retaining, then it has to be the leggy who bowled superbly last season picking up 21 wickets with an impressive economy of 6.35.

If Mishra isn’t retained, that would surprise a many.

Quinton De Kock

His recent form for South Africa has made him a hot property. But he might very well go for a huge price which could hamper SRH’s chances.

The All-rounders

Darren Sammy quickly became a fan favourite ever since he became a regular in that side and had a productive season. So did Thisara Perera, but Perera’s recent dip in form could be a concern.

Last season’s Captains Sangakkara and White have changed their fortunes with the bat over the last few months but are still not expected to be retained.

FINAL VERDICT: Amit Mishra and Darren Sammy

It’s very important that franchises get to understand this new rule as soon as possible so that they can set their potential targets for the auction. Miscalculating it might cost them heavily as they could not only lose out on their own player but also other big players. Anyway, one exciting auction is around the corner.