IPL Player Retention battle rages on as franchises unable to reach consensus

The finer points of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been in the doldrums for months now, with franchises failing to reach an unanimous decision regarding the issue of player retention policy. While most teams are in favour of retaining players, the problem lies with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Both franchises are making a comeback into the opulent tournament after a two-year-long hiatus.

The shocking 2013 IPL spot fixing and betting scandal led to a series of dramatic events to unfold, which included the CSK and RR teams to be rapped on the knuckles with a 2-year ban from the tournament. Having served the term, the teams are eyeing a grand comeback in 2018 IPL. The franchises Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiants will, in turn, be dissolved from the championship.

One IPL franchise does not want CSK and RR to retain players

According to a report by Times of India, the IPL Governing Council is unable to take a decision on the matter of player retention as different franchises have voiced different opinions. While other teams have a legitimate right to retain players from the previous season, the inclusion of the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals has cast a cloud of ambiguity over the matter. This is because the two teams are currently equipped with zero players after the two-year-long ban. This would mean that these two teams may see a separate draft ahead of the IPL 2018 auction, where they can be permitted to choose players from the exiting Gujarat and Pune franchises.

In particular, there is one franchise that is keen to prevent the two returning teams from being able to retain any players. It’s yet to be seen if this agenda can come through as most teams would be like to retain a certain number of their star players. An undivided opinion, which has eluded the IPL Governing Council till date, is expected to be reached in a meeting that’s scheduled to be held on Wednesday.