By Jackie Thakkar
Its comeback time for Whistle Podu-ers Chennai Super Kings and Halla Bolers Rajasthan Royals. Plus, Gautam Gambhir might be up for auction. Is IPL 2018 going to be full of surprises?
oward the end of January every year, the countrys most privileged sports enthusiasts, aka the IPL team owners, get together to have their annual dick-measuring contest. Some also call this contest the IPL Players Auction. The event involves a display of wealth that would put a Dilli wedding to shame, interspersed with cricketing banter from the games veterans. Before this event however, a grocery list of sportsmen for sale is prepared for the owners. A short while ago, we learnt of the sportsmen who would be debarred from being on this list based on their level of talent *cough *starpower* cough* being too high. Lets analyse these folks:
Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah
Retained by: Mumbai Indians
The crown prince of flat-track bullies, Rohit Sharma was a shoo-in to be retained by the Ambanis, given how hes led Mumbai Indians to their record three trophies. Hardik Pandyas reputation as a match-winner also helped his retention status, and this in no way had anything to do with his really dope haircut. Jasprit Bumrah was retained because opponents have become used to Malingas bowling action, while Bumrahs is still too weird for them to figure out.
MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Ravindra Jadeja
Retained by: Chennai Super Kings
Its the Return of the Kings.
Chennai Super Kings will be looking to demolish their opponents and recapture their dominant reputation as Whistle Podu-ers. Their retention choices are really no surprise since MS Dhoni is literally worshipped in the city. In fact, so revered is Dhoni by his CSK kin that they even took in his, ermmm, old running mates, Raina and Jadeja. Guess it pays to have a former Indian captain as your meal ticket, sorry, mentor.
Steve Smith
Picked up by: Rajasthan Royals
Remember Rajasthan Royals? No, not the Padmavati haters. The dominant team that won the inaugural IPL a decade ago? Well, neither do we. Owners Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra seem keen on reshaping this unit and have only picked up former Pune and current Australian Captain, Steve Smith. His only condition was to not have to say embarrassing catchphrases like Halla Bol.
Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Chris Morris
Retained by: Delhi Daredevils
Nobody quite understands why the underachieving Delhi Daredevils do anything anymore. While theyve retained some talented names, they dont seem likely to retain their self-respect. With Iyer and Pant, DD are clearly banking on the exuberance of youth to take them through. Although, perhaps this move came a decade too late. It might have helped had they clinched Dailhi boy Virat Kohli a few years ago. Or maybe not. Going by his winless IPL record. Speaking of which..
Newly wed Captain Kohli has been the toast of Indian cricket and Sabyasachi enthusiasts the world over.
Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers, and Sarfaraz Khan
Retained by: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Oh RCB! Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Their newly wed Captain Kohli has been the toast of Indian cricket and Sabyasachi enthusiasts the world over. It helps that AB De Villiers and he have been known to wreak havoc on bowlers. So really, the only big surprise here is Sarfaraz being picked over the mighty Gayle. Though we expect them to do exactly what they do every year: Give us all a treat in the league stages with phenomenal batting and choke on their lacklustre bowling in the play-offs.
Sunil Narine and Andre Russell
Retained by: Kolkata Knight Riders
King Khans Kolkata Knight Riders clearly favours some Caribbean flava over Captain Gambhirs fiery disposition. We look forward to seeing both Narine and Russell being made to awkwardly dance to Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo Re behind King Khan at the IPL opening ceremony.
David Warner, Deepak Hooda, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Retained by: Sunrisers Hyderabad
Former IPL champions, Sunrisers Hyderabad have always had a solid team to back their chances at winning it all. Shikhar Dhawans absence is almost as shocking as SRHs upset victory over RCB in the IPL 2016 Finals. Or this picture of Shikhar Dhawan without his moustache.
Axar Patel
Retained by: Kings XI Punjab
Virender Sehwag, team director of Kings XI Punjab, is known to be a witty customer (and troller of young women) on Twitter. However, Kings XI Punjabs recent form has been no laughing matter. Just like the recent Gujarat elections, KXIPs play-offs hopes hinge around a Patel Axar Patel. Also, Sehwag claims to like his sense of humour most among other hopefuls. You know what that says about him.
This article has been previously published on Arre.
Featured image courtesy: Shruti Yatam