IPL 2018: Dhoni, Raina set for CSK reunion | Rohit Sharma and Pandya brothers to stay with MI

IPL 2018: While each team is allowed to retain three players ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 auction, returning franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are set to go ahead and retain three of their skilled players Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for the 2018 Indian Premier League season. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina set for CSK reunion after spending two seasons with Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions respectively. Dwayne Bravo would get back to CSK with the ‘Right To Match’ (RTM) card.

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are set to go ahead and retain three of their marquee players

Defending champions Mumbai Indians are also all set to retain skipper Rohit Sharma along with Pandya brothers, Hardik and Krunal ahead of the auctions on January 27 in Bengaluru.

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The last date of submission for player retentions is January 4 and the franchises are more or less decided on whom they want to keep and who they will get back with the ‘Right To Match’ (RTM) card.

Defending champions Mumbai Indians are also all set to retain skipper Rohit Sharma along with Pandya brothers

The rules laid down for RTM state are a Maximum number of three capped Indian players, Maximum number of two overseas players and Maximum number of two uncapped Indian players.

The restrictions would apply to a total of five players through retention and RTMs. Of the five players, the best player on their team can retain a maximum three players ahead of the auction or they can use three RTMs during this 2018 auction. In case of no retention before a player auction, each best player can have “up to three RTMs”.

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A senior BCCI official said,

“Skipper Rohit Sharma is an automatic retention having led the team to three IPL titles. Hardik Pandya is one of the big match-winners and the interesting third retention would be Krunal Pandya,”

“Krunal being an uncapped Indian can be retained for only Rs 3 crore instead of Rs 7 crore for a third capped player. Also, Krunal was an exceptional performer last year,”

The BCCI official told that it is a strategic decision to retain Krunal as this will enable the franchise to return Kieron Pollard and Jasprit Bumrah with the ‘Right To Match’ cards.

“MI has been the biggest advocate of five retentions. These five are their core group of match winners and it will be surprising if they deviate from this strategy,”

Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer are stable in Delhi Daredevils.

Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer are stable in Delhi Daredevils. However, it is learnt that Delhi is still undecided about having two or three retentions but Pant and Iyer being India players are certain to be retained.

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