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The Indian Premier League (IPL) retention phase has concluded, revealing a strong emphasis on Indian players and batters. A total of 46 players were retained across the ten teams, with a striking 78.26% being Indian. This trend highlights the teams' preference for familiar talent and a focus on building a strong Indian core. Only two teams, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, have retained more than one overseas player, indicating a strategic shift towards prioritizing homegrown talent.
Historically, IPL teams have favored retaining batters over bowlers, and this year's retention phase continues this trend. The dominance of batters is evident in the retention numbers: 28 batters were retained compared to 11 bowlers and 7 allrounders. Notably, Rajasthan Royals have only one bowler, Sandeep Sharma, among their six retentions, while SRH has only Pat Cummins as a frontline bowler. Teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have opted for a slightly balanced approach with a death bowler and an allrounder in their retained squads.
The retention phase has also seen teams strategically utilize the rule allowing them to retain uncapped Indian players for INR 4 crore. Eight out of ten teams have taken advantage of this, highlighting the growing emphasis on nurturing young talent. Notably, KKR, PBKS, GT, and LSG have each retained two uncapped players, demonstrating their commitment to developing local talent. The retention of uncapped players also signifies a shift in team strategies, with a focus on long-term development and building a strong future for their respective franchises.
The retention process has also seen several teams release their captains, leading to a potential shake-up in leadership roles. LSG, DC, RCB, PBKS, and KKR have all parted ways with their previous captains. While LSG might look towards Nicholas Pooran and RCB might revert to Virat Kohli as captain, KKR, DC, and PBKS are likely to search for new captains during the auction. This shift in leadership could potentially influence the auction dynamics, with players possessing captaincy experience becoming more valuable assets.
In a surprising move, several captains have agreed to lower their salary demands to enable their teams to balance their purse and retain key players. Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, and Pat Cummins have all accepted lower pay than their previous contracts. This demonstrates a willingness to prioritize team success over individual financial gains. The only two captains who remain as their team's joint-top retentions are Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson, both of whom received INR 18 crore.
Source: Indians and batters dominate retentions, and a major captaincy refresh