‘We Would Have Retained More’: Rahul Dravid Explains Rajasthan Royals’ Retention Strategy – News18

Last Updated:November 04, 2024, 15:39 IST

Rajasthan Royals retained six players for Rs 79 crore and will enter the auction with a purse of Rs 41 crore.

Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid says the franchise retained six players because doing so ensures stability. RR and Kolkata Knight Riders are the only two franchises that have retained the maximum number of players ahead of the mega auctions.

Former IPL champions RR have retained Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer and Sandeep Sharma for a combined Rs 79 crore and will enter the mega auctions with purse of Rs 41 crore.

Dravid says if the rules allowed, RR would’ve retained more players.

“There is definitely a stability when you retain six players,” Dravid said on JioCinema. “We could only retain six players, but if we could have done more, we would have retained more for sure. We believe that the players we have retained are deserving. Of course, you have less money when you go to the auction, but there is a certain stability that you have blocked in some areas and then you can see how you have to make the whole team.”

RR have qualified for the IPL final twice in their history – the first during the inaugural season when they became the champions. They made it to the summit clash in 2022 as well but lost the Gujarat Titans.

“For the next season, the expectation will be that we qualify and win. It’s been many years since Rajasthan has won a title. So, our effort will be to win, but we also understand that there are very good teams in IPL,” Dravid said.

RR will be hoping to buy back the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal, Jos Buttler, Trent Boult among others. However, with since they have no Right to Match option left, will face stiff competition from other franchises.

“The rules of the RTM have also changed a bit, so we will definitely get to see something different in this auction. In the auction, you have to do some preparation and planning, but there you have to show some flexibility. We have built a foundation for us, we have created a base, we have retained a core, we will take this forward and fill it and make a good squad,” Dravid said.