CSK and RR might be able to retain a few players in IPL 11

With the return of relegated franchises, namely Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, in the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), one pondered whether the teams would be able to see Steve Smith back in Royal Blues of Rajasthan or MS Dhoni back in the yellows for Chennai Super Kings.

If reports are to be believed, the two teams might be able to hold onto some of their key players in the next edition of the IPL, provided one of the proposals on the table gets the go, although, there is no official policy announced yet on the fate of RR and CSK regarding the retention of the players.

Post-2015 edition, the two new franchises Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions faced a similar dilemma where they had a draft to pick five players from CSK and RR, with the rest of the players going into the auction pool. As Pune’s bid was higher in the auction compared to Gujarat Lions, the former was given the privilege to go first.

Still no official statement from BCCI or IPL GC

“We have not been told about the player retention policy but we will look to try and get all the main players who played for CSK.”  commented Director CSK Ltd, George John, when asked whether BCCI or the governing council intimated about any policy regarding the retention of the players.

It was evident during the opening ceremony of the Tamil Nadu Premier League this season that the CSK is leaving no stone unturned to get its campaign back on track. The primary reason for the success of the franchise is that the men in yellow were able to retain a core group of personnel throughout the eight years of their tenure in the IPL, which include both players and support and staff.

“We would want to retain the old support staff. We are in talks with Stephen Fleming and Michael Hussey,” further added George John in an event in which the team signed a partnership agreement with Tekplay Systems,