The festival of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has kept us on the edge of our seats as the developments for the upcoming edition have already kick-started. One of the significant events was the retention and the liberation of the players from their previous teams. The list for the same for each side came out on 15th of November.

The Board of Control for Cricket in <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2020-zaheer-khan-reveals-mumbai-indians-strategy-behind-picking-trent-boult-and-dhawal-kulkarni/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">India</a> (BCCI) had set the deadline as 14th of November for the trading window, retention and release of the players. Several teams who hadn&#8217;t tasted success in the previous season, expectantly, let go off a lot of players, especially expensive overseas recruits who didn&#8217;t live up to the price tag. But there also exist ones who have been harshly treated.

A side like Royal Challengers Bangalore, on the other hand, may have made a mistake in keeping some low impact players at their disposal. Similarly, all the teams have held players at their armoury who have hardly made a difference or may play only a handful of games throughout the tournament.

Here we bring you one player from each franchise wrongly retained and released:-

Chennai Super Kings

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-331773" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/CSK-1.jpg" alt="Chennai Super Kings" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-331773" class="wp-caption-text">Chennai Super Kings. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Kedar Jadhav (Wrongly retained)

The yellow army have one of the strongest batting line-ups in the tournament. On the batting front, they have all their bases well-covered, ranging from openers to middle-order batsmen, all-rounders, and finishers. Considering the completeness of the team, retaining Kedar Jadhav doesn&#8217;t make much sense.

The 34-year old, apart from being injury-prone, inconsistent and age not on his side, is unlikely to find a place in the playing eleven. Jadhav scored only 162 runs 14 games at an average of 18 in the previous season. His dividends from the past seasons don&#8217;t advocate his retention by the franchise either.

David Willey (Wrongly released)

David Willey missed out on making the national side for the 2019 World Cup. England&#8217;s chief selector Ed Smith mentioned that leaving out the left-arm seamer was an exceptionally tough call. Such has been the reputation of Willey that he is considered as an ideal player in the white-ball formats for his courageous attitude.

David Willey became part of Chennai Super Kings when Kedar Jadhav got ruled out of the entire season in 2018. He pulled out of the previous season, owing to family reasons. Although his performance wasn&#8217;t satisfactory, having taken only two wickets in three matches, the 29-year old didn&#8217;t get enough chances to prove his worth.

The English all-rounder could have been one of the bowlers to take the new ball along with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/crictracker/photos/a.601832999847425/3068666686497365/?type=3&amp;theater" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deepak Chahar</a>. His ability to pitch in a perfect inswinger with the new ball along with his clean-hitting prowess makes him a threatening prospect. Willey can also be promoted to the top order to take full advantage of the fielding restrictions.

Delhi Capitals

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-340206" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Delhi-Capitals-1.jpg" alt="Delhi Capitals" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-340206" class="wp-caption-text">Delhi Capitals. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)</figcaption>

Axar Patel (Wrongly retained)

Axar Patel&#8217;s most productive year with the ball was for Kings XI Punjab in the year 2014 when his team made it to the final. The off-spinner took 17 wickets in 17 games at a decent average of 23.82. Nevertheless, since then, the 25-year old has failed to create much of an impact.

Axar Patel finished with three and ten wickets in his last two seasons for Delhi Capitals at averages of 72.67 and 36.40 respectively. For a bowling all-rounder, he averaged a woeful 13.33 and 18.33 in his previous two seasons. With Sandeep Lamichhane, Ravi Ashwin, and Amit Mishra forming a potent spin-attack, the Gujarat-born spinner may add no value to the line-up.

Chris Morris (Wrongly released)

One of the most unexpected releases that followed was of Chris Morris. The Proteas all-rounder is one of the most underrated bowling all-rounders who has produced the goods in his limited opportunities. Morris, along with his fellow countryman Kagiso Rabada and Ishant Sharma formed one of the best bowling attacks in the tournament.

With 13 wickets in nine games in the last season, the South African speedster was the go-to bowler for captain Shreyas Iyer. His searing pace along with the ability to bowl lethal yorkers in death overs made him very handy. The 32-year old is also a useful batting option down the order, capable of resisting and churning out quick runs when needed.

Kings XI Punjab

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-339193" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Kings-XI-Punjab.jpg" alt="Kings XI Punjab" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-339193" class="wp-caption-text">Kings XI Punjab. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)</figcaption>

Hardus Viljoen (Wrongly retained)

Bought by Kings XI Punjab in the previous auction at a base price of INR 75 lakh, Hardus Viljoen became part of a pace attack that comprised of Sam Curran, Mohammed Shami and Ankit Rajpoot. However, like the franchise, Viljoen couldn&#8217;t live up to the expectations.

The 30-year old played six matches and bagged seven wickets at a below-par average of 30.71 in the previous season. His best figures of 4-0-39-2 came against Delhi Capitals in Delhi and it went in vain as the hosts clinched the victory. Releasing the Proteas pacer could have been a good move, for the Punjab-based franchise can look for a better overseas fast bowler.

Sam Curran (Wrongly released)

The youngest among the Curran brothers walked into the last IPL auction with a high reputation. His name strolled out of the auction, being the most expensive foreign recruit with INR 7.2 crore in his pocket. While Sam Curran&#8217;s numbers likely suggest that he has not fully justified his price tag, his performances were promising on his first outing in India.

The 21-year old had a scratchy start to the tournament, taking two wickets yet going for 13 an over. Playing only his second match, the left-arm seamer firstly sizzled with a brief cameo while opening the innings against Delhi capitals. Later, he took a hat-trick to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Against the Kolkata Knight Riders, Curran dazzled yet again with the bat, scoring 55 off 24 balls. His statistics of nine wickets in ten games at an average of 32.30 may indicate he was better to get released. However, his potential with both and ball implicates that he deserves to keep his place for one more IPL season.

Kolkata Knight Riders

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-337144" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Chennai-Super-Kings-5.jpg" alt="Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2020 Auction" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-337144" class="wp-caption-text">Kolkata Knight Riders. (Photo: Kuntal Chakrabarty/IANS)</figcaption>

Rinku Singh (Wrongly retained)

Rinku Singh, the middle-order batsman from Uttar Pradesh, is a gun in first-class cricket, averaging over 70. However, his record in T20 cricket, including IPL, paints a vastly different picture. While his strike rate in T20 cricket other than IPL is over 135, he has failed to play a big knock in limited opportunities handed to him.

Across two seasons (2018 &amp; 2019), the 22-year old has scored only 66 runs at a strike rate of just above 100. It is no secret that after releasing Robin Uthappa, the franchise will be looking to rope in a competent middle-order batsman. Based on Rinku Singh&#8217;s stale record in IPL, it is unlikely that he will get a long run.

Chris Lynn (Wrongly released)

Chris Lynn formed one of the dynamic opening combinations along with Sunil Narine in the IPL. Previously a part of Deccan Chargers, the Queensland lad shot into the limelight since the time he started playing for Kolkata. While Lynn&#8217;s international record isn&#8217;t the one to boast about, he is one of the destructive batsmen in franchise cricket.

The 29-year-old didn&#8217;t set the tournament ablaze in the last season; however, he didn&#8217;t endure a disappointing season either. He scored 405 runs at an average of 31.15 with a strike rate of 139.66 which are good enough not to release a valuable player. Kolkata&#8217;s unsettled composition on the batting front and bowlers not coming to the party were largely responsible for the failure.

Mumbai Indians

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-341161" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/MI.jpg" alt="Mumbai Indians" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-341161" class="wp-caption-text">Mumbai Indians. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)</figcaption>

Mitchell McClenaghan (Wrongly retained)

The Kiwi pace bowler has remained with the Mumbai Indians since the time he started playing in the IPL. The auction for the 2018 season saw McClenaghan go unsold; however, Jason Behrendorff&#8217;s injury paved the way for his inclusion. While McClenaghan has chipped in with useful performances every season, his outing, especially in the last season doesn&#8217;t endorse his retention.

He managed to snare only three wickets in five matches at an awful average of 47.20. With the pace battery of Mumbai Indians consisting of Trent Boult, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya, McClenaghan may find it hard to break into the playing eleven.

Alzarri Joseph (Wrongly released)

The Windies quick bowler hogged the limelight in his first-ever IPL match by taking six wickets in his four overs only for 12 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad, including the wicket of the explosive David Warner. The figures of 3.4-1-12-6 also became the best bowling figures in the whole of IPL, surpassing the eleven-year-old record set by Sohail Tanvir.

However, his time in the tournament was cut short due to a shoulder dislocation. Nevertheless, by releasing him, the defending champions may have committed a blunder. While Mumbai does have an armoury of accomplished pace bowlers, the 22-year old can be ideally used in rotation. Joseph, unlike other pacers in Mumbai Indians is capable of ramping up the pace along with using his height to good effect in taking wickets.

Rajasthan Royals

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-334566" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Rajasthan-Royals-4.jpg" alt="Rajasthan Royals" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-334566" class="wp-caption-text">Rajasthan Royals. (Photo: IANS)</figcaption>

Varun Aaron (Wrongly retained)

Varun Aaron&#8217;s most productive year in the lucrative league was 2014 when he took 16 wickets in 10 games at an average of just 18. However, inconsistencies and injuries have dented his progress and stalled his ambition of making a comeback to the national team.

With five wickets in four matches, the 30-year old may not be the best choice going forward. With Rajasthan also releasing Oshane Thomas from their squad, the franchise should have opted for more fresh picks from the auction to partner Jofra Archer.

Liam Livingstone (Wrongly released)

Liam Livingstone got promoted to the opening position in the last season when Jos Buttler departed to England to link up with the national team. The Englishman showed plenty of potential, scoring at a strike rate of 145.83. His best score of 44 off 26 deliveries came against Sunrisers Hyderabad and it included three sixes and four boundaries.

With the franchise releasing Ashton Turner and Ben Stokes not in full flow since the last two seasons, the 29-year old could have assumed the role of the power-hitter down the order. Livingstone can also chip in with useful overs of leg-spin. The Englishman took 14 wickets in 10 games at an average of 15.35 for Lancashire Lightning in the Vitality Blast 2019.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-335883" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Royal-Challengers-Bangalore-5.jpg" alt="Royal Challengers Bangalore" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-335883" class="wp-caption-text">Royal Challengers Bangalore. (Photo: IANS)</figcaption>

Mohammed Siraj (Wrongly retained)

Mohammed Siraj boasts of not only an encouraging first-class record but also a good List A record. He made his T20 international debut earlier this year, bagging three wickets in three matches at an average of just under 50. Over the previous two seasons the 25-year old has been lacklustre for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

His average in the last two seasons stands at above 30, taking only 18 wickets. Siraj became part of the bowling line-up of the Bangalore franchise that got continuously clobbered because of their inability to bowl yorkers in the death overs. With the franchise overhauling their coaching set up, sticking with Siraj seems absurd.

Shimron Hetmyer (Wrongly released)

The Royal Challengers Bangalore didn&#8217;t hold back in releasing their overseas recruits. Names like Marcus Stoinis, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, and Heinrich Klaasen were shown the way out for failed to justify the expectations from their opportunities. However, the liberation of Shimron Hetmyer raises eyebrows.

Not that Hetmyer was any better. The 22-year old was bought by the franchise for INR 4.2 crore and responded by scoring 90 runs in five games. He came in full flow only in his last match, hammering 75 off 47 balls to take Bangalore to an inconsequential victory. The potential shown by Guyanese batsman in a short tenure, especially in international proves that he deserves one more shot with the franchise.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-334898" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Sunrisers-Hyderabad-2.jpg" alt="Sunrisers Hyderabad" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-334898" class="wp-caption-text">Sunrisers Hyderabad. (Photo: IANS)</figcaption>

Khaleel Ahmed (Wrongly retained)

Khaleel Ahmed came in with a reasonable amount of promise. The left-arm speedster played in the 2018 season, featuring in only one match and conceding 38 runs for no wicket. His numbers were equally good in the subsequent action, having finished with 19 wickets in nine games at an average of 15.11.

However, going by the current form, it is a risky prospect of retaining him. The 21-year old pacer was one of the weakest links in India&#8217;s victory over Bangladesh in the recently concluded T20I series, having finished the three-game series with two wickets at an awful average of 54. Hyderabad already have gifted pacers in Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, Billy Stanlake, and Basil Thampi. In these circumstances, retaining the Rajasthan-pacer doesn&#8217;t seem a smart move.

Deepak Hooda (Wrongly released)

Deepak Hooda isn&#8217;t the most popular player in the star-studded Hyderabad line-up. However, he became one of the players with loads of promise in the eleven. His strike rate of over 150 while featuring for Rajasthan Royals in 2015 caught the eyes of a lot of franchises.

His batting average that kept hovering between 10-30 was never captivating. His aggressiveness had been a defining part of the game-plan. He endured a tough season last time, scoring 64 runs in 11 matches and picking up just the one wicket. With Sunrisers Hyderabad lacking proven Indian recruits in the middle-order, Hooda could have been a useful prospect in the squad.

Teams could have delved deeper into their minds to churn out more judicious decisions.

IPL 2020: One wrong release and retention by each team

The festival of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has kept us on the edge of our seats as the developments for the upcoming edition have already