IPL Auctions 2014: Five retentions that should not have happened

3. Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir

Okay, he is the captain of the side. But the Kolkata Knight Riders may now want to move on. There was a time when Gambhir was everything in the team, he even led them to the title in 2012. But no one can deny that he has seen a slump and will be viewing the IPL as a means to be recognised on the international stage again. For that matter even Sunil Narine hasn’t been in the best of touch lately.

The Knight Riders should have gone in for more experimentation considering that last season did not go very well for them (they were 7^th in the points table). Also, Gambhir may not find it very easy to return to international cricket and perform to the best of his ability. He last represented India almost a year ago, and that will certainly be playing on his mind.

Whether he will be the best of leaders this time is also in doubt. The Knight Riders could have gone with Kallis as the international retention. Probably considered him for captaincy as well. Why not? He has retired from Tests and will take part in the IPL for a couple years more probably. He can certainly lead the way using his experience and his immaculate understanding of both the batting and bowling departments, being one of the best all-rounders of the world himself.

His ability to play spin well was definitely one of the factors that facilitated his retention. Seeing the clean-up and the experimentation trend last time, KKR would not have been wrong in not retaining this Delhi opener.