Mumbai Indians may go all out for Ravindra Jadeja

Mumbai Indians seem to be ahead of the rest in its planning for the new season of Indian Premier League (IPL). The acquisition of Dinesh Karthik through the transfer window is a well thought-out strategy for the IPL 5 in general and February 4 auction in particular. They are now likely to go all out for Ravindra Jadeja, the most sought-after player among the franchises.

It was clear from the beginning that Mumbai Indians needed a wicketkeeper batsman, preferably an Indian, as Ambati Rayudu has been shoddy behind the stumps. By buying the Kings XI Punjab wicketkeeper through the transfer window, Mumbai Indians have ensured that they go to the auction with full purse. They had the option of buying a ’keeper in the auction in which players like Parthiv Patel besides, of course, Brendon McCullum will be available for bidding. But it is clear that the MI think tank is targeting a player like Jadeja, and they need a full purse to go for him.

With Chennai-based Robin Singh at the helm of affairs, the choice of Karthik is understandable. And MI, it is learnt, made an irresistible offer to Kings XI Punjab. The talk in the franchise circle is that Karthik was bought for $2.3 million, $1.4 million more than his price. In the end, it turned out to be a win-win situation for all as every party was gaining through the transaction.

As per the IPL rule, 20 per cent of surplus money goes to the player. Which means, Karthik, whose original price was $900,000, is entitled to 20 per cent of the $1.4 million dividend KXIP got by selling him. He gets to keep $280,000 more than his price this year, while KXIP makes a cool $1.12 million.

Generally, franchises wait for the trading window to open as it provides them with an opportunity to make money. Teams can liquidate some of their ‘assets’, just like Deccan Chargers did with Kevin Pietersen. Over and above, the money changed through the transfers is not reflected in the player purse.

As for Jadeja, it is likely that the tie-break rule will come into effect as quite a few franchises are interested in buying him. And, as was seen in the Kieron Pollard auction, the team with the deepest pocket gets to win the tie-breaker. The franchises are required to write a secret ballot cheque and the biggest cheque-holder lands the player.

Meanwhile, the two-day workshop for the IPL team owners started in Goa on Monday. There was no activity on Day One as only an official dinner was scheduled. On Tuesday, the team owners will have a round-table conference after which some pressing issues are to be discussed.