One of the biggest talking points from the entire Indian Premier League (IPL) retention process was KL Rahul not featuring in the list of players retained by Punjab Kings (PBKS). Rahul, who remains to be one of the most prolific run-scorers in the IPL, decided against being retained by Punjab.
While PBKS management wanted to retain Rahul, the stylish opener himself wanted to be a part of the auction pool. Amid speculations that Rahul has been approached by one of the new franchises to lead the side, Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia opined that it would be unethical if that’s the case.
“We wanted to retain Rahul but he wanted to go back into the auction. If he has been approached by another franchise before that, it would be unethical,” Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia told PTI.
When asked about the possibility of the Lucknow franchise approaching Rahul, Nadia said, Lucknow, Wadia said: “I hope not because that is against the guidelines set by the BCCI.”
Not to forget, Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was suspended for a year in 2010 after he was in talks with other franchisees for a fee hike. Punjab will enter the auction having retained two players in Mayank Agarwal and Arshdeep Singh and with the highest purse available at Rs 72 crore.
Wadia lauded Mayank and Arshdeep and said he can see the left-arm pacer play for the country soon. “We are really happy about retaining Mayank and Arshdeep. Mayank has been a phenomenal player for us, really loyal to the franchise. Arshdeep also has been with us for a while and I can only see him improving. I see him playing for India in the near future,” said Wadia.
On November 30, PBKS Director of Cricket Operations, Anil Kumble had revealed it was Rahul’s decision to not stay with Punjab anymore. “Obviously we wanted to retain him, that is one of the reasons we chose him as captain two years back. But he decided to go into the auction. We respect that, we honour his decision. It’s the player’s prerogative,” Kumble told Star Sports. Lucknow and Ahmedabad now have the opportunity to pick three players apiece from the auction pool by December 25.
