3 Worst ever RTMs used by the IPL franchises

In order to make the IPL 2018 mega-auctions more interesting, the BCCI introduced a new rule of Right To Match (RTM), which could be used to get back the player who played for the team in the previous season at the same price, for which the player has been sold. The number of RTMs depended upon the players retained by the franchise.

This tactic was beautifully used by many teams, who got back their core team using it. Since only a maximum of 3 players could be retained, the teams were reliant on this right to build a strong team. While many franchises were successful in using it, many other franchises made blunders, for which they had to pay later on.

On this note, let us take a look at the three worst RTMs used by the IPL franchises:

1. David Miller

David Miller has now been a part of Kings XI Punjab for a long time now and is now one of the seniormost players of the team. Unfortunately, his performance with the bat hasn’t lived up to the expectations for the past 2-3 seasons. This was one of the primary reasons for the team releasing him ahead of the IPL 2018 auctions.

Mumbai Indians bid heavily for him and managed to seal him at a price of Rs 3 crores. However, KXIP, without any hesitation, used the RTM card to get him back. Given the faith shown by the team on him, one could have expected the southpaw to play a lead role in the team.

But neither did he get many chances, nor perform in the limited opportunities that he got. The South African batsman could score only 74 runs in three games, thereby turning out to be a huge disappointment for the team and failing to justify the RTM used on him.

2. Pawan Negi

Pawan Negi was bought by Mumbai Indians at a price of Rs 1 crore after a small bidding war against Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals). However, the Royal Challengers Bangalore bought him back using the RTM. The all-rounder had impressed a lot in the previous season, 144 runs and 16 wickets in 14 games giving the testimony for the same.

This type of all-round performance always increases the load of expectations on the particular player. Unfortunately, the southpaw failed to replicate those heroics in the next season, and the team played an equal role in the same by not giving him enough chances.

Pawan played only two games in the season, wherein he scored 3 runs and bowled only four overs. Thus, he turned out to be a wrong RTM pick for the team. The Virat Kohli-led side retained him the following year, but still gave him chances in patches.

3. Piyush Chawla

Piyush Chawla was a hot pick at the IPL 2018 auctions. Four teams bid for him that year, but in the end, it was the Chennai Super Kings who bought him for a whopping Rs 4.2 crores. But the Kolkata Knight Riders did not hesitate in using their RTM card to get back his services.

It didn’t come to anyone’s surprise since the veteran leg-spinner has been a trusted member of the team for years now. Moreover, Chawla did perform for the team in the season. However, in a team that already had the services of Kuldeep Yadav and Sunil Narine, a fast bowler or another batsman could have provided more balance to the side.

Also, KKR could have bought him through bids, and used it to retain the services of their most reliable player in Gautam Gambhir or Suryakumar Yadav, which could have strengthened their batting.