Chennai Super Kings propose draft system in IPL to retain core team

The ban on Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals has been lifted and both the teams are ready to return for IPL 2018 after a period of two years. Both teams were suspended for two years in July 2015 after being found guilty in 2013 of betting and spot-fixing.

 “The ban is officially over. It is good that we are back. As far as possible we will try to retain the players and support staff we had,” said George John, one of the directors of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited, which runs the team. 

No official policy for player retention is there, however, if the two teams may perhaps get a hold on to some of their star players if the proposal receives a green signal by the BCCI and IPL Governing Council. The similar system was used for players from CSK and RR when they were offered to the then new IPL teams, Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions.

In 2016, prior to the tournament’s 9th edition, RPS and GL had a draft to select five players each from CSK and RR, whereas, the rest of the players were sent into the auction pool. RPS had bid the highest for the franchise rights and got the chance to go first.

"We have not been told about the player retention policy but we will look to try and get all the main players who played for CSK," said John answered when asked whether the BCCI or the IPL governing council have informed about any such policy.

CSK were one of the most successful teams in the first eight years of the IPL owing to the fact that they were able to hold on to a core group of players and the support staff. Now in 2018, CSK intends to do the same and are trying to bring in former coach Stephen Fleming.

"We would want to retain the old support staff. We are in talks with Stephen Fleming and Michael Hussey," George John added. 

CSK has signed a partnership agreement with Tekplay Systems as well, making it their official technology partner, in order to introduce a platform where the fans can connect with their team.

CSK will be launching an app with the help of Tekplay, which will be a one-stop destination for all fan related activities such as merchandises and ticketing.