IPL 2018: 5 Players Chennai Super Kings should retain

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council, along with the Committee of Administrators (CoA), devised new rules and regulations for the upcoming season in a meeting that took place in New Delhi. Among the many issues discussed, were auction rules such as the IPL player retention policy, salary cap and player regulations.

RETENTION POLICY

The eight teams that will take part in the 2018 edition of the IPL can retain a maximum of five players. The teams can retain players directly or through the right to match option. Right to match (RTM) is a new option made available to the teams to retain its players by bidding the exact amount for which the player is sold at the auction.

For example, if Team A chooses not to retain Player X, the player will be included in the auction pool. Let's say, the player is bought for Rs.Y by Team B. As per the new option available to the teams, Team A can exercise the Right to Match, using which it can match the amount for which Player X was bought by Team B and retain the player in their squad.

Each team can retain a maximum of three players directly. The remaining two players can be retained by the team using the RTM option. However, a team could choose to retain only two players directly, which means they can retain the remaining three players using the RTM option.

No team, however, would have the option of retaining more than three players directly or using the RTM option. That means that if a team chooses to retain only one player directly, or chooses not to retain any player directly, the team still gets a maximum of three RTM options.

Teams can retain five players, subject to a maximum of three capped Indian players, a maximum of two overseas players and a maximum of two uncapped Indian players.

Further, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, who did not feature in the previous edition of the tournament have a few additional conditions to fulfil. These two teams can retain five players who played for them in the 2015 edition, and also were part of the Pune or the Gujarat franchise in the 2016 and the 2017 editions.

Here are five players I feel the Chennai Super Kings should retain.

#1 Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MS Dhoni

It would be impossible to imagine CSK without 'Thala' Dhoni. Dhoni has captained CSK right from the first edition of the IPL till 2015 when the team was suspended and has a terrific record in the tournament.

Under the leadership of Dhoni, CSK won the 2010 and 2011 editions of the tournament and finished as runners-up in the 2008, 2012, 2013 and the 2015 editions. In all the editions, Captain Cool has managed to take the team to the playoff stage. Dhoni has also captained the side to victory in the 2010 and the 2014 editions of the Champions League.

Dhoni is the ninth highest run scorer in IPL history. He has scored 3,561 runs in 159 IPL matches (all for CSK), at an average of 37.88 and a strike rate of 136.75. He has 17 half-centuries to his name in the IPL and his highest score in the IPL is an unbeaten 70.

Though not the same player that he was on the field five years ago, Dhoni still packs a punch and is the heartthrob of Chennai.

There is absolutely no doubt that CSK will retain their skipper, who has been their recipe for success in the tournament.

#2 Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum

The hard-hitting Kiwi batsman is another player CSK should retain. The right-hander has given excellent starts for all the teams he represents, at the top of the order. In the 2014 and 2015 editions of the IPL where he represented CSK, McCullum has played many match-winning innings with his partner Dwayne Smith.

He played for the Gujarat Lions in the 2016 and 2017 editions when CSK was out suspended. McCullum played a similar role while with the Lions, scoring plenty of runs and getting his team to good starts.

Brendon McCullum has scored 2,753 runs in 103 IPL matches at an average of 28.09 and a strike rate of 131.22. He is the fourteenth highest run scorer in IPL history and is remembered for his blistering knock in the first ever IPL match where he represented the Kolkata Knight Riders and scored an unbeaten 158 against the Royal Challengers of Bangalore.

McCullum has 2 centuries and 13 half-centuries to his name in the IPL. He is very experienced and can play a vital role in the dressing room as well.

I believe McCullum should be retained by CSK.

#3 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina has been one of CSK's best batsmen in the IPL. The left-hander has a few unforgettable innings to his name in the yellow jersey and is undoubtedly one of the best batsmen of the tournament. Raina represented Chennai in all eight seasons of the IPL before the team got suspended. He also holds a unique record of playing the most number of IPL matches.

Raina is the highest run scorer in IPL history. He has scored 4,540 runs in 161 matches at an average of 34.13 and a strike rate of 139.09. He has a century and as many as 31 half-centuries to his name in the IPL and his highest score in the tournament is an unbeaten 100.

The Raina we know today is very different from the Raina we knew when he was in yellow. His form and future are being majorly criticised, but we hope that the man can find his form upon rejoining his favourite team.

#4 Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo

The 'Champion' from the Caribbean is one of the best entertainers of the game. He adds a much-needed flavour to the IPL and has been a vital part of the CSK squad ever since he moved to the side in 2011. The all-rounder has picked up wickets at crucial times for the Super Kings and has also played some handy knocks for the men in yellow.

Bravo is the 5th highest wicket-taker in IPL history. He has picked up 122 wickets in 106 matches with best figures of 4/22. He has also scored 1,238 runs at an average of 22.92 and a strike rate of 125.94. He has four half-centuries to his name in the IPL and his highest score in the tournament is an unbeaten 70.

Bravo will surely be welcomed back by the team in yellow.

#5 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin

The off-spinner has been a part of CSK right from the first edition till the team was handed a suspension in 2016. He made his name in the IPL playing for the Super Kings, where he caught the selectors' attention and was picked for the national side. The rest, as they say, is history.

Ashwin is the 10th highest wicket-taker in IPL history. He has 100 wickets to his name in 111 matches at an excellent economy of 6.55. His best figures in the IPL are 4/34.

Being a local boy, Ashwin is sure to 'whistle-podu' for the Super Kings next year.