Mumbai : The first comprehensive step towards IPL 2011 was taken on Thursday with 12 cricketers being retained by the founding franchises of the Indian Premier League.
Under the IPL Player Regulations, each of the founding franchises could retain up to four players (of which only three could be Indian) in advance of the Player Auction ? against fixed deductions from the $9m Salary Cap. As per IPL rules, today was the last day for the founding franchises to send in their list of retained players.
Chennai Super Kings retained captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Murali Vijay and South African all-rounder Albie Morkel while Mumbai Indians went for batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, Lasith Malinga and the West Indian powerhouse Kieron Pollard.
The Delhi Daredevils retained swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag, while the exciting Virat Kohli was retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore. Rajasthan Royals decided to retain their two Australian stars Shane Warne and Shane Watson.
By retaining four players, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are each left with only $4.5m to spend either in the Player Auction or in buying Ranji players outside the Auction.
Rajasthan Royals will have $5.9m available to spend (pending further orders from the Mumbai High Court). Delhi Daredevils & Royal Challengers Bangalore will each have a balance of $7.2m available. The remaining franchises have the full $9m available.
Speaking on the day?s developments Chirayu Amin, Chairman IPL, said, ?The first stage of the process for confirming the playing squads for 2011 has gone off well. It is heartening to see that a majority of the founding franchises have chosen to retain players.?
The Kochi and Pune franchises will each now have the option to sign up to four overseas players who have not previously featured in IPL. After that there will be the player auction, which will feature the remaining top Indian and overseas players.
The 12 cricketers to have been retained:
MS Dhoni (India) ? Chennai Super Kings
M Vijay (India) ? Chennai Super Kings
Suresh Raina (India) ? Chennai Super Kings
Albie Morkel (South Africa) ? Chennai Super Kings
Virat Kohli (India) ? Royal Challengers Bangalore
Sachin Tendulkar (India) ? Mumbai Indians
Harbhajan Singh (India) ? Mumbai Indians
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) ? Mumbai Indians
Kieron Pollard (West Indies) ? Mumbai Indians
Virender Sehwag (India) ? Delhi Daredevils
Shane Warne (Australia) ? Rajasthan Royals
Shane Watson (Australia) ? Rajasthan Royals