New Delhi, Jan 2: The returning Chennai Super Kings are set to go ahead and retain three of their marquee players in Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for the 2018 Indian Premier League season.
The Men in Yellow are also likely to get Dwayne Bravo back with their 'Right To Match' (RTM) card.
Defending champions Mumbai Indians are also all set to retain skipper Rohit Sharma along with Pandya brothers -- Hardik and Krunal ahead of the auctions on January 27 in Bengaluru.
The last date of submission for player retentions is January 4 and the franchises are more or less decided on whom they want to keep and who they will get back with the RTM cards.
"Skipper Rohit Sharma is an automatic retention having led the team to three IPL titles. Hardik Pandya is one of the big match-winners and the interesting third retention would be Krunal Pandya," a senior BCCI official in the know of things.
"Krunal being an uncapped Indian can be retained for only Rs 3 crore instead of Rs 7 crore for third capped player. Also Krunal was an exceptional performer last year," he added.
It is learnt that it is a strategic decision to retain Krunal as this will enable the franchise to buy back Kieron Pollard and Jasprit Bumrah with the 'Right To Match' cards.
"MI has been the biggest advocate of five retentions.
These five are their core group of match winners and it will be surprising if they deviate from this strategy," the BCCI official said.
Delhi Daredevils, who are known to have a clean slate every now and then, are keen to keep Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer in their stable. However, it is learnt that Delhi are still undecided about having two or three retentions but Pant and Iyer being India players are certain to be retained.
"If you retain two capped players, you spend Rs 21 crore (Rs 12.5 crore for Player 1 and Rs 8.5 for Player 2) instead of Rs 33 crore for three capped players (Rs 15 crore for Player 1, Rs 11 crore for Player 2 and Rs 7 crore for Player 3)," the official explained.
Australian duo of Steve Smith and David Warner are also expected to be retained by Rajasthan Royals and the Sunrisers Hyderabd respectively.
Smith spent the last two years at the Rising Pune Supergiants. Hyderabd meanwhile plan to keep hold of the immensely talented Deepak Hooda as well by paying Rs 3 crore for the uncapped player just like MI will be doing for Krunal.
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