Chennai Super Kings – MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni is a legend, clearly, but whether he still demands a big fee in the IPL is worth questioning. He has not had a strike rate of more than 125 in the last three seasons, and also averages 25, 16.28 and 33.14 in the last three campaigns, respectively. While his captaincy skills are unquestioned, it remains to be asked if Chennai Super Kings are holding onto the past with his retention. The wicketkeeper will be nearing 42 by the IPL next year, and the mega auction, earlier in 2022, could have given the franchise the opportunity to start with a clean slate.

They did name Ravindra Jadeja as their skipper for the last season, but he did not inspire much confidence, as Dhoni was back leading the team midway through IPL 15. The former India skipper has been retained for INR 12 crore, which could have been better utilised by investing in a young player for the future, with Dhoni shifted to the support staff, or just bought back on a lower salary.

Punjab Kings – Nathan Ellis

Ellis played only two games for Punjab Kings in 2022, picking up three wickets but going at an economy rate of 9.17. Punjab have a few gaps to fill in their team: they need a spin-basher in the middle order, preferably a left-hander, along with an India quick. They could target Sam Curran, who is expected to go for a large sum, and freeing up all possible budget for him ahead of the auction would not have been the worst move.

Mumbai Indians – Rohit Sharma

The five-time IPL-winning skipper has not been in the best of form with the bat, his primary skill, for a long time now. Rohit last averaged over 30 and had a strike rate in excess of 130 way back in 2015, and his continued struggles have increased the pressure on the rest of the line-up. Rohit has not been in the best touch for India as well, with his 27 off 28 in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup proving to be damaging. Mumbai Indians released a 35-year-old Kieron Pollard, who went on to retire from the IPL, but the troubles lie elsewhere – right at the top. He also costs the team INR 16 crore.

Sunrisers Hyderabad – Kartik Tyagi

A talented right-arm pacer, who picked up 11 wickets in India’s run to the final during the 2020 Under-19 World Cup, Tyagi has had an unfortunate run with injuries, which saw him playing only two games for Sunrisers Hyderabad this year. Tyagi last played only nine professional games since October last year, and with question marks still remaining over his fitness, Sunrisers Hyderabad could have looked to free up INR 4 crore.

Gujarat Titans – Matthew Wade

Wade played ten matches for the champions this year but was not able to replicate his recent international form, averaging 15.70 with a strike rate of 113.77 in the 2022 IPL. Though Gujarat Titans only shelled out INR 2.40 crore for him, they could have instead gone after a younger keeper like Phil Salt in the auctions.

Rajasthan Royals – R Ashwin

Ashwin’s T20I stocks are on the decline after a middling T20 World Cup, where he was the second-most expensive spinner amongst bowlers with at least 15 overs. Ashwin was used as a pinch-hitter for Rajasthan Royals last season, and won them games with the bat too, but averaged 41.92 with the ball, picking up a wicket every 33.50 deliveries. He comes with a lot of experience and can bowl in the powerplay as well when needed, but, at INR 5 crore, it can be argued that the returns were below par.

Royal Challengers Bangalore – Faf du Plessis

Faf will be close to 39 by the 2023 IPL and has not played for South Africa since February 2021. He is a regular in T20 leagues around the world, recently playing in the Caribbean Premier League, where he made 332 runs at an average of over 41 with a strike rate of 168.52. However, his struggles against spin were apparent in the last IPL, where he struck at 127.52. The former South Africa skipper was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 7 crore, but he comes in with limited match practice, which could be detrimental. He also takes up an invaluable overseas slot, and cannot be dropped for poor form if he is the captain.

Lucknow Super Giants – Kyle Mayers

Mayers, who has a strike rate of 120.92 after 102 T20 matches, was retained ahead of Evin Lewis, a proven player in the format. Mayers only scored 20, 13 and 1 in the T20 World Cup and did not play a single game for Lucknow Super Giants last season. Though he was picked up at his base price by the side last year, there would have been plenty of other options in the auction.

*Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders have retained well and should be happy with the team that they have assembled. There were reports that Kolkata Knight Riders might look to part with either seam all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer or mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, but both offer rare skills, which should be held onto. Delhi Capitals have a threatening top-order to go with an even more threatening fast bowling attack, and will only need to add in fillers in the upcoming auction.