IPL 2018: Virender Sehwag Says KKR Likely to Use their RTM Card to Retain Gautam Gambhir
Apr 5, 2018 at 8:50 PM
Former India batsman Virender Sehwag said Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) would retain Gautam Gambhir via RTM in the IPL auction.
The Kolkata based franchise shocked the world by not retaining Gautam Gambhir who captained them to title twice. The franchise went on to keep the West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell and Sunil Narine.
Former Indian batsman and mentor of IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab Virender Sehwag feels KKR must retain Gambhir via RTM in the auction to take place on January 27th and 28th.
Gambhir played a pivotal role in the Shahrukh Khan-owned franchise, as he led them to victory in the 2012 and 2014 edition. However, has been the hot topic recently regarding the retention policy and the upcoming auction. Gambhir was not retained by the franchise and his former teammate, Sehwag said he was not surprised by the decision.
He spoke to the Quint and said,
‘I am not surprised KKR did not retain Gambhir.’
Gambhir had earlier revealed he wanted to join his former side Delhi Daredevils, but Sehwag believes that KKR will use their RTM card and retain Gambhir on a low price tag.
Earlier, Sehwag in an interview with Sportskeeda revealed how the possibility of getting the same player back for lesser money in auction made franchises to release older players. He said,
“I was not shocked because every team has their own thinking. I was not shocked when Delhi Daredevils did not decide to retain me after having played there for the past six years. I too was part of the auction then.”
“I am not surprised. Many teams are parting with their old players because their price at the auction will be less, then maybe they might retain them. This could be their strategy of using RTM,”