IPL 2018: Gambhir likely to be retained by KKR via RTM reckons Sehwag

Former Indian cricket team opener Virender Sehwag, who is currently promoting Star Sports Election Selection campaign for the Indian Premier League (IPL), gave his perception on why KKR decided to let go their former skipper Gautam Gambhir. The Kolkata Knight Riders management did not retain IPL winning captain Gautam Gambhir in the retention event despite having led the Knights to two titles in his first three years as captain. However, Sehwag believes that Caribbean all-rounder Andre Russell and spinner turned all-rounder Sunil Narine was more important for KKR.

Prior to the retention event, the stylish left-handed opener had revealed his intentions of joining his previous franchise Delhi Daredevils. Gambhir captained the Daredevils in 2009 and 2010 where he led them to the semi-finals. The team from Delhi might be looking to get back Gambhir in the captaincy role. Since 2010, DD has managed to reach the playoffs only once after Gambhir left the team in 2011. Sehwag thinks that the Kolkata Knight Riders will use a right to match card on their former skipper Gautam Gambhir to retain him in the auction.

Sehwag: I am not too surprised

The rules state that each franchise is given the ‘RTM’ option at the auction to reclaim a player who played with their team in the previous season, but only after the bidding for him has been finished. The new feature gives them the advantage of knowing the final sum that the player would have been bought for and hence it can be decided whether they want to pay the sum and get him back or not. Speaking to Quint, Viru admitted that he wasn’t surprised that Gambhir wasn’t retained by the Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise as Russell and Naraine were more important for them as far as the retention policy is concerned. ‘I am not surprised KKR did not retain Gambhir,’ he was quoted as saying by Quint

Earlier, Sehwag had also spoken to Sportskeeda and revealed how the possibility of getting the same player back for lesser money in auction made franchises to release older players. “I was not shocked because every team has their own thinking. I was not shocked when Delhi Daredevils did not decide to retain me after having played there for the past 6 years. I too was part of the auction then,” the former Delhi Daredevils skipper had said.“I am not surprised. Many teams are parting with their old players because their price at the auction will be less, then maybe they might retain them. This could be their strategy of using RTM,” he added.

Gautam Gambhir is currently a hot topic amongst the fans, the debate remains if he will be picked by his former franchise or not. Virender Sehwag also gave insights about the Royal Challengers Bangalore and their selection method, he put light on Yuzvendra Chahal and believed that Chahal should be the number one player to be retained via RTM for RCB.