Rajasthan Royals gets the fans' verdict on IPL retentions

The excitement for the eleventh edition of Indian Premier League (IPL)  is at its peak as the auctions of the hugely awaited tournament is around the corner. The new framed policies for player retention has definitely added spark to the fun before the inception of the eleventh edition.

The tournament promises to be as bigger as ever, even more as the veterans return to the arena. Both Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings will make an IPL return after serving two-year suspensions. It will be a new beginning for both the franchise as they will look to cash in at the auction by getting a good bunch of players.

But leading into the auction they first have a chance to retain the players they once had in their setup but were picked up by either Rising Pune Supergiant or Gujarat Lions.

Fans’ verdict on players retention

In order to solve the conundrum of whom to retain and who to leave, the Royals management decided to get the verdict from their fans via social media. From among their players who played for RPS and GL, they get to pick from the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Steven Smith, James Faulkner, Dhawal Kulkarni and Rajat Bhatia for either retention or get them through Right to Match (RTM) policy.

Here’s the fans verdict:

As per the poll results, it seems clear that fans desperately want the management to retain the services of Smith and Rahane as the duo gets an 87% retention consideration.

He's the captain of Australian Cricket Team at 28 and one of the best batsmen in the world. STEVE SMITH is the first of 5 players available for retention.

What do you think we should do?#IPL2018 #TheReturnOfTheRoyals #HallaBol #RoyalRetention

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) December 16, 2017

One of India's most prolific scorers to have established himself in all formats of the game, @ajinkyarahane88 is known to prove pundits wrong regularly, just like the Royals. 

What do you think we should do?#IPL2018 #TheReturnOfTheRoyals #HallaBol #RoyalRetention

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) December 17, 2017

Rajat Bhatia might not be a huge name, but he is effective. The fans though weren’t quite in favour of retaining him given the fact that the team has to shell out a greater sum for the retention.

We need more of your advice, Royals!

With more than 15 years playing domestic cricket, RAJAT BHATIA is a veteran of Indian conditions.
He's played for TN Team, Delhi Team, DD, KKR and RPSG.
What do you think we should do?#IPL2018 #TheReturnOfTheRoyals #HallaBol #RoyalRetention

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) December 16, 2017

Pacer Dhawal Kulkarni received a similar fate as he also is someone they can buy back from the auction.

Love the guidance you're giving us!
Leading seam bowler in the domestic circuit, 29-yr-old @dhawal_kulkarni has been a part of the MI, RR & GL.
A great all-rounder who matches accuracy & new-ball swing.

What should we do?#IPL2018 #TheReturnOfTheRoyals #HallaBol #RoyalRetention

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) December 16, 2017

Though the response for Australian James Faulkner was to retain him but the all-rounder hasn’t been in the best of his forms. The team management would rethink that one as well.

Man of the Match in Australia's World Cup Final win against NZ in 2015, @JamesFaulkner44, is a truly intelligent bowler in the T20 format.

What do you think we should do?#IPL2018 #TheReturnOfTheRoyals #HallaBol #RoyalRetention

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) December 17, 2017

The auction is to take place in Bengaluru on January 27-28.