Mahendra Singh Dhoni was back at his ‘spiritual home’ Chennai Super Kings while Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained India captain Virat Kohli during the much-publicised yet predictable Indian Premier League retentions in Mumbai on Thursday.
Mumbai Indians had the league’s most successful captain Rohit Sharma back in their stable and on an evening when most names where predicatable, RCB pulled off a surprise by naming Sarfaraz as their third retention.
Current Australia skipper Steve Smith was Rajasthan Royals’ only pick while his deputy David Warner remains with Sunrisers Hyderabad along with pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
The headline was, of course, the core of CSK returning to Chennai and that was the news that got most people talking. Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina were the team’s second and third choice respectively.
Thakida thakida thakida Thala @msdhoni!#ReturnOfTheSuperKings#SummerIsComing #WhistlePodu #goosebumps 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hnkcXN6QOv
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 4, 2018
CSK announcing the come-back of MS Dhoni. #IPLRetention pic.twitter.com/xkblAu5U5t
— Bollywood Gandu (@BollywoodGandu) January 4, 2018
Breaking News on #IPLRetention#SirJadeja Retains #CSK . :-)
— Prabhu 🏏 (@Cricprabhu) January 4, 2018
Welcome back to the den, dearest Thala! 🔥🚁🦁💛#ReturnOfTheSuperKings #SummerIsComing #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/RhCcv95idx
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 4, 2018
AB de Villiers was RCB’s second retention while they have kept uncapped Sarfaraz for Rs 3 crore while putting Chris Gayle back in the auction pool. And the team took some flak for their decision-making.
so virat kohli retained at Rs. 17 crore by RCB. makes him the most expensive player in IPL history #IPLRetention
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 4, 2018
Has RCB retained Vijay Mallya?
— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) January 4, 2018
Or is he open for international a(u)ction?#IPLRetention
Basically @rcbtweets didn't surprise anyone. They were being themselves by retaining Sarfraz Khan. Baffling choice. That means they may have to shell out a bomb for acquiring Chahal/Rahul on Right To Match.
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) January 4, 2018
#RCB will have to use RTM for Chahal and Rahul. Could be expensive. Means Gayle back in auction. Ditto with Malinga. Two of the most iconic players of the IPL in the auction
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 4, 2018
Sarfraz is a BIG surprise. Especially after he didn’t feature in a lot of games last season. #IPLRetention #RCB
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 4, 2018
Great that RCB has retained virat kohli. Losing under the same captain is still better than losing under a new captain. #IPLRetention
— one tip one hand_ (@OneTipOneHand_) January 4, 2018
Disappointed to find there is no Sarfaraz Khan appearance on stage during the #IPLRetention where he takes his mask off to reveal he is KP in disguise.
— Tareque Laskar (@tarequelaskar) January 4, 2018
Chahal should have retained. Sarfaraz is a child in the bus.
— Sumukh 🐺 (@Sumukh__) January 4, 2018
Once again you will top the tables from bottom
— HARSH KUMAR (@HritvikPriya30) January 4, 2018
Very very poor choice for Sarfaraz, must have picked Chahal or Rahul.
— Moh!t Thakkar (@mitpopat) January 4, 2018
last 10 years you made too many mistakes in players selection and thats why not performing well even with Kohli & ABD.
Please don't repeat this again please
IT hurts RCB Fans
One of the notable names not to be retained is long-time Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir, who is now back in the auction pool with West Indians Sunil Narine and Andre Russell being the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise’s two picks.
#IPLRetention pic.twitter.com/QInr5JbGlM
— Dr. Gill (@ikpsgill1) January 4, 2018
Scenes from New Delhi. #IPLRetention pic.twitter.com/QJhuVaBIYt
— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) January 4, 2018
Certain player to certain franchise. #IPLRetention pic.twitter.com/oa2paD4KQr
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) January 4, 2018
We retain Rohit, Hardik and Jasprit. 3 current international T20 stars and match winners. Go, Mumbai. Get the elusive 4th IPL trophy! #MIPaltan #MumbaiIndians
— Sanju Manju (@sanjumanju218) January 4, 2018
A bit dejected because of KKR not retaining Gambhir or any other Indian player for the upcoming season. Who else is capable of leading a side like KKR? The team management needs to be street-smart while taking a re-look at what will once again make them champions. #IPLRetention
— Wasim Sheikh (@iamwasimsheikh) January 4, 2018
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