MUMBAI: Team India skipper Virat Kohli and his predecessor Mahendra Singh Dhoni are among the top players confirmed to be retained by their respective Indian Premier League franchises, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings, which is returning from suspension, respectively.
The retention list of players is to be announced by the BCCI here later Thursday.
Also making a return after serving a two-year suspension is Rajasthan Royals.
Each team is allowed to retain five players; a maximum of three through player retention (pre player auction) and by opting for right to match (RTM) (during the player auction).
IPL player retention rules announced on December 6:
· Franchises will have a pool of Rs 800 million to dip into for IPL 2018, up Rs 140 million from the earlier Rs 660 million. Each franchise must spend at least 75% of the money at its disposal per season.
· Franchises can retain a maximum of three players, and use the RtM card for three other players at the auction, but in all, they can only hold on to the services of five players using these two tools.
· If franchises retain three players, they will be charged Rs 150 million for the first, Rs 110 million for the second and Rs 70 million for the third.
· If two players are retained, franchises will be charged Rs 125 million for the first and Rs 85 million for the second. If only one player is retained, the franchise will be charged Rs 125 million.
· An uncapped player who is retained will cost the franchise Rs 30 million.
Potential retainees:
· Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers
· Chennai Super Kings: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina
· Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner, Deepak Hooda (uncapped)
· Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya (uncapped)
· Kolkata Knight Riders:
· Delhi Daredevils: Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer
· Kings XI Punjab:
· Rajasthan Royals: Steven Smith
