IPL Player Retention 2018: CSK reunite with MS Dhoni, KKR let Gautam Gambhir go- IPL 2018 retained players full list

IPL 2018 player retention list is out. The player retention event for the Indian Premier League's upcoming edition took place on Thursday. This event will decide the shape of the player auction for the eleventh edition of the IPL on January 27 and 28. The teams revealed who they have decided to retain before the upcoming auction.

There were not many surprises as teams stuck to their most valuable players ahead of the IPL 2018 auction. Returning to the IPL after serving two year suspension, Chennai Super Kings have retained MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina. As expected, Royal Challengers Banglore kept Virat Kohli and Ab de Villliers but their third pick may surprise some- Sarfaraz Khan.

3-times winners Mumbai Indians have retained skipper Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. The only surprise so far has been KKR releasing their skipper Gautam Gambhir and retaining Sunil Narine and Andre Russell. Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab made only one retenation- Steve Smith stays at RR while Axar Patel will play for Punjab in IPL 2018.

At INR 17 crores Virat Kohli was the most costly player to be retained followed by MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma at 15 crores. Sarfaraz Khan was most easy on purse with just 1.75 crores.  

Meanwhile, if you are wondering how this whole retention thing works- you can read it here.

Here is the full list of the IPL retained players-

Mumbai Indians

Players retained: Rohit Sharma (Rs 15 crore), Hardik Pandya (Rs 11 crore), Jasprit Bumrah (Rs 7 crore)

Deduction from salary cap: Rs 33 crore

Salary cap remaining for player auction: Rs 47 crore

Right-to-match cards left at auction: 2

Royal Challenges Bangalore

Players retained: Virat Kohli (Rs 17 crore), AB de Villiess (Rs 11 crore), Sarfaraz Khan (Rs 1.75 crore)

Deduction from salary cap: Rs 31 crore

Salary cap remaining for player auction: Rs 49 crore

Right-to-match cards left at auction: 2

Kolkata Knight Riders

Players retained: Sunil Narine (Rs 8.5 crore), Andre Russell (Rs 7 crore)

Deduction from salary cap: Rs 21 crore

Salary cap remaining for player auction: Rs 59 crore

Right-to-match cards left at auction: 3

Delhi Daredevils

Players retained: Rishabh Pant (Rs 8 crore), Chris Morris (Rs 7.1 crore), Shreyas Iyer (Rs 7 crore)

Deduction from salary cap: Rs 33 crore

Salary cap remaining for player auction: Rs 47 crore

Right-to-match cards left at auction: 2

Kings XI Punjab

Player retained: Axar Patel (Rs 6.75 crore)

Deduction from salary cap: Rs 12.5 crore

Salary cap remaining for player auction: Rs 67.5 crore

Right-to-match cards left at auction: 3

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Players retained: David Warner (Rs 12 crore), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Rs 8.5 crore)

Deduction from salary cap: Rs 21 crore

Salary cap remaining for player auction: Rs 59 crore

Right-to-match cards left at auction: 3

Chennai Super Kings

Players retained: MS Dhoni (Rs 15 crore), Suresh Raina (Rs11 crore), Ravindra Jadeja (Rs 7 crore)

Deduction from salary cap: Rs 33 crore

Salary cap remaining for player auction: Rs 47 crore

Right-to-match cards left at auction: 2

Rajasthan Royals

Player retained: Steven Smith (Rs 12 crore)

Deduction from salary cap: Rs 12.5 crore

Salary cap remaining for player auction: Rs 67.5 crore

Right-to-match cards left at auction: 2