Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday retained India captain Virat Kohli for a whopping sum of INR 17 crore, making him the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League. RCB also decided to retain South African explosive batsman AB de Villiers and young Mumbai batsman Sarfaraz Khan. (HIGHLIGHTS IPL Player Retention 2018)
De Villiers was retained at a fee of 11 crores while RCB paid 1.75 crores for Sarfaraz.
- India vs South Africa 1st Test: Virat Kohli's men eye success in unconquered territory
- IPL 2018: KKR release Shakib; Mustafizur granted NOC by Bangladesh Cricket Board
- Highlights, IPL 2018 Players Retention: Kohli, Dhoni, Rohit, Warner, Smith retained by their respective franchises
- IPL 2018 Player Retention: Dhoni, Jadeja and Raina return to CSK; RCB retain Kohli, de Villiers, Sarfaraz
The announcements were made at the IPL 2018 Player Retention event in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings, who are making a comeback to the IPL after a two-year suspension, retained Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja.
Dhoni was retained for a sum of 15 crores, Raina was retained for 11 crores and Jadeja will be paid 7 crores.
Delhi Daredevils retained Rishabh Pant (8 crores), Chris Morris (7.1 crores) and Shreyas Iyer (7 crores).
Kings XI Punjab retained just one player - Axar Patel for 6.75 crores.
Two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders have retained West Indians Sunil Narine (8.5 crores) and Andre Russell (7 crores).
KKR have, however, decided against retaining captain Gautam Gambhir.
Meanwhile, defending champions and three-time winners Mumbai Indians have retained three players in Rohit Sharma (15 crores), Hardik Pandya (11 crores) and Jasprit Bumrah (7 crores).
The champions of the inaugural season - Rajasthan Royals, who are also making a comeback to the league with CSK, have retained Australia's Steve Smith for a sum of 12 crores.
IPL,2018: Retention pic.twitter.com/6wVoIn7Avq
— Shubhrajyoti Panda (@Shubhrajyoti012) January 4, 2018
IPL 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad have retained their captain and Australian batsman David Warner (12 crores) and India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar (8.5 crores).
The IPL 2018 auctions will be held on January 27, 28.
Remaining Salary Purse
Chennai Super Kings - 47 crores
Delhi Daredevils - 47 crores
Kings XI Punjab - 67.5 crores
Kolkata Knight Riders - 59 crores
Mumbai Indians - 47 crores
Rajasthan Royals - 67.5 crores
Royal Challengers Bangalore - 49 crores
Sunrisers Hyderabad - 59 crores
Right To Match Cards Available At Auction
CSK (2), DD (2), KXIP (3), KKR (3), MI (2), RR (3), RCB (2), SRH (3)
