IPL 2018 Auction: Preity Zinta gets annoyed with teams using the RTM option

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 extravaganza has already reached the greatest astonishing levels at the ongoing auctions in Bengaluru. All the eight IPL franchises are involved in an intense and energetic battle to get hold of the star players that are going under the hammer in order to attract some huge bids. Of all the franchises, Kings XI Punjab were seen to be the most eager and active franchise to include key players into their side, but had to deal with unique and extensive regulations of the contest.

Preity gets frustrated

Earlier, all the IPL franchises were asked to retain a short tally 5 players for the upcoming season and the rest of the players’ fate would be decided in the big auctions. The above rule had some spices which stated that teams can also retain a maximum of three players during the auctions by choosing the Right To Match (RTM) card option.

Kings XI Punjab owner and Bollywood actress Preity Zinta was very much frustrated with the RTM option in the ongoing auctions as many of the players which she wished to include in her franchise went to their respective old teams.

Kings XI Punjab owner faced the RTM huddles many times in the auctions and many of the star players including Shikhar Dhawan, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Ajinkya Rahane. Punjab also showed a strong interest in acquiring the services of young Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who has been quite a sensational performer in the shortest format of the game.

Rashid played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the previous season of the IPL and then went on to become a big match-winner for many T20 franchises across the world, including a successful stint for the Adelaide Strikes in the ongoing Big Bash League 07.  But Preity’s hopes were suddenly vanquished once again as SRH retained the teen Afghan sensation for a whopping price of Rs 9 crores.

I am hating the RTM card now

Kings XI Punjab themselves chose the RTM option to retain the services of explosive South African batsman David Miller. But now their owner Preity Zinta has started to hate the RTM option and this happened when her franchise was forced to let go, Rashid, who was retained by SRH in the auctions via RTM card. She expressed her disappointment and frustration towards the retaining method through her Twitter handle.

I officially hate the #RTM card ! Grrrrrrrrr ? #VivoIPLAuction #kxipsquad #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi

— Preity zinta (@realpreityzinta) January 27, 2018