IPL 2018, Ben Stokes, Yuvraj Singh, Quinton de Kock, Chris Gayle
Ben Stokes has already been cleared for the IPL 2018. Photo Credit: IPL.

There are few cricketing icons who might be dropped by their respective franchises of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the IPL 2018 retention players list to opt for a value for money, and the big shot is the availability of the Right to Match (RTM) cards.

With just a day left for the submission of retained players list on January 4, the management of such franchises is further bound to face the tough battle while relying on trump cards.

Moreover, the distinct franchises are aiming high to avail the services of iconic players who have had the potential to change the fortunes of the teams in the upcoming edition in respective ways, but at the same time, they are looking forward to inducting the players at the meagre amount.

On the other hand, it’s not possible for the teams to retain all valuable players, but the most they could do is to maintain the core for the eleventh edition of the IPL which will be kicking off in April 2018.

As the franchises have had done their exercise before serious stuff on the table, the franchise would further face the heat while spending massive bucks over the retained players and they are supposed to spend it well in many ways.

With Kolkata Knight Riders reportedly set to release the skipper Gautam Gambhir is one of the examples of a premium player who has been the part of the Shah Rukh Khan-owned team since past many years.

Moreover, the retention policy gives a clear cut thought to allow the franchise to exercise their power, however, while considering the foreseeable future all the teams would want to have a best in business available.

Here’s the list of five premium players who might probably find the place in other teams while considering the current retention policy as one of the players in this list is subjected to the brand new auction to represent his side:

Harbhajan Singh – Mumbai Indians:

IPL 2018, Ben Stokes, Yuvraj Singh, Quinton de Kock, Chris Gayle
Harbhajan Singh’s likely not to be picked in the retained players list for IPL 2018: Photo Credit: IPL.

The off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been an old horse for the Rohit-Sharma-led reigning IPL champions Mumbai India since the inception of the Twenty20 league in 2008, but it might be the time to see Harbhajan being not considered for the three-time champions in its early phase as the IPL Players Auction 2018 is set on January 27.

The 37-year-old is past his age and is expected to miss out on the retention players list as it might eventually pave the way for the promising youngster Mumbai might have or will be aiming for to retain the trophy.

In 136 T20 fixtures, Harbhajan bagged 127 wickets at an average of 26.54 which saw his best bowling figures of five for 18 while being an integral part of the Blue Brigade.

Moreover, Indians’ camp has already banked on the youngsters in the form of Panyda brothers; Krunal Pandya and Hardik Pandya, who had played an integral role in the tenth edition of the IPL.

Yuvraj Singh – Sunrisers Hyderabad:

IPL 2018, Ben Stokes, Yuvraj Singh, Quinton de Kock, Chris Gayle
Even though it is evident that age has nothing to do with the ability, but Yuvraj Singh might not find himself on the retention list of IPL 2018. Photo Credit: IPL.

The left-handed batsman Yuvraj Singh, who might have been out of the national team following the dip in his form, has a lot to face this time with Hyderabad choices limited when it comes to the retention list.

The 36-year-old Punjab-based batsman has been one of the contenders in the league cricket – to contribute with the bat in particular and this time around the Sunrisers Hyderabad management has already shown the liking for David Warner and left-handed opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan.

However, the third option for the retention is expected to be of a paceman so this rule out the possibility of Yuvraj in the Hyderabad’s line-up.

The middle-order batsman Yuvraj has featured in 120 matches since making his debut in 2008. He has registered 2,587 runs at an average of 25.61. Moreover, he has also 36 wickets under his belt.

Chris Gayle – Royal Challengers Bangalore:

IPL 2018, Ben Stokes, Yuvraj Singh, Quinton de Kock, Chris Gayle
The initial hints reflected Chris Gayle couldn’t be picked in the retention policy list for the upcoming IPL 2018. Photo Credit: IPL.

The prominent figure in the limited-overs cricket Chris Gayle, who has instilled fear among world bowlers, has an overall average of 41.20 so far in his overall nine editions since featuring in the second IPL season in 2009, but he went on to have a tough season when IPL completed its first ten years in 2017.

As the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is already looking forward to having the players who are bound to play the massive role in the foreseeable future, the 38-year-old Windies might be the fading option in the list and the management has already seen Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, as the hot favourites apart from the promising options like leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and Kedar Jadhav.

In the tenth edition, Gayle scored just 200 in nine matches at an average of 22.22.

In his overall 101 fixtures, Gayle amassed 3,626 runs which further saw him collecting five hundreds and 21 fifties.

Quinton de Kock – Delhi Daredevils:

IPL 2018, Ben Stokes, Yuvraj Singh, Quinton de Kock, Chris Gayle
Quinton de Kock might be skipped for IPL 2018 retention players list by the Daredevils. Photo Credit: IPL.

The southpaw from South Africa Quinton de Kock has been rollicking with the bat but he might not be in the list of the retention players list with IPL out Delhi Daredevils’ management has already set eyes on the promising prospect Shreyas Iyer and gloveman Rishabh Pant while considering the long-run option in the lucrative league.

The 25-year-old batsman de Kock had a staggering season in the eighth edition of the league in which he scored 122 in three games. However, he went on to play 13 matches in the ninth edition after making his IPL debut in 2013.

Ben Stokes – Rising Pune Supergiant:

IPL 2018, Ben Stokes, Yuvraj Singh, Quinton de Kock, Chris Gayle
Stokes highly likely to be picked by one of the teams in the IPL 2018 after Supergiant was dissolved. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The 27-year-old star all-rounder from England has grabbed all the headlines for an infamous Bristol-street brawl in September 2017 which further forced England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to suspend the cricket until the investigation would not complete.

In the tenth edition of the IPL, Stokes bagged whooping INR 14.5 crore deal, as he featured in 12 matches in which he scored 316 runs at an average of 31.60. He has a solitary hundred and a fifty under his belt respectively.

The Durham-based cricketer has also collected 12 scalps at an average of 26.33.

Known for his aggressive approach the left-handed batsman is supposed to find the new team for sure as the Steven Smith-led side has already made a way alongside Gujarat Lions for the defunct Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royal, as both teams faced the two-year suspension over alleged spot-fixing saga which shook Indian cricket in 2013.

Tahir Ibn Manzoor is the Editor-In-Chief at Cricket Addictor, who follows cricket like food and he has a great affection for the long-form journalism. He has been associated with the organisation since...