IPL 2018: Retentions and RTMs that haven't worked for teams

The re-entry of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals meant that we had a fresh round of auctions for players for teams to build their squads for the eleventh edition of the IPL. Teams were allowed to a keep hold of a maximum of five players from their previous roster. The players could be retained ahead of the auction or could be bought back using the right-to-match card during the auction, with a maximum of 3 allowed in each category.

Teams tried to ensure that they retain their core group of players to maintain a connection with the fan base. Most of the major stars of each team were thus retained. All the 5 players that were retained by Kolkata Knight Riders form an integral part of their eleven this year and have dished out satisfactory performances.

However, quite a few of these retentions and Right-to-match buys have not worked for teams due to poor form of the players. Here we take a look at those players who have failed to perform for their sides-

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Ravindra Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings)

Ravindra Jadeja was retained ahead of local boy Ravichandran Ashwin and it seems like a move that the owners might live to regret. Jadeja's acquisition meant that CSK didn't go hard after either Ashwin or the other new find from Chennai- Washington Sundar. Jadeja was retained with the belief that his all-round abilities would add more value to the team.

However, we haven't really seen enough evidence of that from Jaddu this season. The top order has been firing, leaving him with few balls to face at the death. Apart from the match-winning six against KKR, he has failed to grab the chances that have been presented to him.

He has also been under-utilized with the ball as Dhoni has a plethora of options to turn to. For a bowler who was until recently, the no.2 ranked bowler in Tests, that's quite a steep decline.

Jadeja has also been lacking that usual presence in the field as he has put down catches and his ground fielding has also not been up to his normal high standards.

Sarfaraz Khan (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Sarfaraz Khan was shockingly retained ahead of more established stars like KL Rahul, Chris Gayle and Yuzvendra Chahal. Though the decision had a financial factor attached to it and was thought to be a clever investment in a bright young talent, it is a move that has failed to pay off.

With the likes of De Kock, Kohli, De Villiers and Mandeep Singh in the batting line-up, it was highly likely that the youngster would be used as the finisher. He struggled for timing in the end overs of their opening fixture as he scored a scratchy 6 off 10 balls against the Knight Riders. He was dismissed for a golden duck in the second match against Kings XI Punjab.

He was dropped for their third match but was brought back in for the fourth match against Mumbai Indians. Chasing a massive score in excess of 210, he found his troubled stay cut short for just 5 runs off 6 balls.

His stays at the crease have also failed to inspire confidence that he is indeed the man for the job. He was replaced by Manan Vohra in the line-up for the fifth match and it looks a long way back for the young man now, as RCB will start looking for alternative options.

Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians)

Kieron Pollard has been one of Mumbai Indians' best players over the years. However, it seems like the management made a mistake in retaining him to maintain the nucleus of the side. Pollard looks a pale shadow of his former self.

Age is catching up and he has been unable to perform at the level he did for the last few seasons. Mumbai Indians are suffering because of this as Pollard is unable to provide the late flourish fans were accustomed to seeing. The West Indian all-rounder has looked absolutely anonymous, as he has not contributed with the bat or ball.

He has not provided blistering finishes to the batting and his 54 runs off 51 balls in 4 innings prove this. Shockingly, Pollard hasn't been handed the ball even once in the first 5 games. Though he has been safe on the field, his fielding hasn't been up to his usual high standards.

At the moment, Pollard is only a liability to this Mumbai Indians side and it would make more sense to replace him with either JP Duminy or Ben Cutting.

David Miller (Kings XI Punjab)

Despite poor campaigns in 2017 and 2016 and inconsistent form for South Africa, Kings XI Punjab placed their trust on David Miller and got him back in the auction using the Right-to-match. With Finch out of the opening match, Miller got a chance and scored an unbeaten 24 to take his side home in an easy run chase.

However, Finch's return has seen Miller drop to the bench. With Gayle in supreme form at the moment, Finch back in the playing eleven and Marcus Stoinis ahead of him in the pecking order, it's unlikely that Miller will get back into the team anytime soon.

It looks like the South African will have to get used to warming the bench unless an injury forces one of the front-line players out.

Mohammed Shami (Delhi Daredevils)

Delhi Daredevils used the Right to Match to avail Mohammed Shami's services for this season. The fast-bowler is one of India's best Test bowlers with his accuracy and skiddy nature difficult to deal with.

On his day, he's capable of running through a side single-handedly with his reverse swing bowling. He was also India's best bowler in the 2015 World Cup. However, Shami's progress has been hampered by the cycle of injuries suffered over the past few years.

Shami has surprisingly failed to step up in the IPL tournaments. With South African speedster Kagiso Rabada ruled out for the season, the onus was on Shami to lead the Delhi attack. Shami though has turned in listless performances as he has been hammered to all parts whenever he has bowled.

Across 14 overs in 4 matches, he's managed to pick up just 3 wickets. He's also conceded runs at an extremely expensive economy rate of 10.40. Most certainly not the numbers expected from your strike bowler.

Delhi Daredevils have tried alternatives in place of Shami in the previous two matches and Avesh Khan has shown promise. Shami will have to take his place on the best and then wait for his turn.

Chris Morris (Delhi Daredevils)

Chris Morris was the only foreign player retained by Delhi Daredevils prior to the auction. The South African has been one of the best all-rounders in the IPL over the past few seasons. He is a powerful hitter down the order and also has the ability to bowl at different stages of the game, especially at the death. This meant that Morris was supposed to be one of the key players for Delhi this edition and his poor performances are one of the reasons for his team's struggles.

Morris has been found wanting with the ball. Not only has he has failed to deliver his side the crucial breakthroughs at important phases of the match but he's also failed to restrict the flow of runs. He has conceded runs at over 10 per over despite having bowled 14 overs, and he has only 3 wickets to show for his efforts. This has seen Delhi languishing at the bottom of the table.

With the bat, Morris has performed decently in the opportunities he has been provided. Surprisingly, Delhi have made it a habit of sending the likes of Rahul Tewatia and Vijay Shankar ahead of the explosive Morris in the last few overs of the innings. This has meant that Morris has walked in with too little time left and balls to face.

As a result, a game-changing death-overs finisher has found himself held back. Despite his best efforts, he has been unable to propel his team to a competitive score as he has had only a few balls to influence the game.