After the official announcement of player retentions by all 10 teams IPL 2024 auction, it’s evident that some franchises face significant challenges due to their retained squads. Here are the three teams that appear to have the most weaknesses after retentions:
| IPL 2024 Teams List | Captains |
| Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma |
| Kolkata Knights Riders | Shreyas Iyer |
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Mahendra Singh dhoni |
| Punjab Kings | Mayank Agarwal |
| Delhi Capitals | Rishabh Pant / David Warner |
| Rajasthan Royals | Sanju Samson |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kane Williamson |
| Lucknow Super Joints | KL Rahul |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | Virat Kohli |
| Gujrat Titans | Hardik Pandya |
#3 Punjab Kings (PBKS) IPL 2024:
Punjab Kings find themselves with eight vacant slots and approximately ₹30 crore in their purse. However, only two of these slots can be filled by overseas players. The team released notable players like Shahrukh Khan and Raj Angad Bawa, creating gaps in their domestic talent pool.
The departure of Shahrukh Khan leaves PBKS without a reliable finisher. Jitesh Sharma, who batted at No. 4 in the last season, may not be shifted down the order, and the talents of Liam Livingstone are best utilized in the top five.
Additionally, Punjab Kings face challenges in the bowling department. Rahul Chahar’s IPL performance has been below par, Arshdeep Singh’s form has declined, and Kagiso Rabada lacks consistency in T20 cricket.
The team also grapples with an opening conundrum, with multiple players vying for two slots. Jonny Bairstow, Shikhar Dhawan, and Prabhsimran Singh add to the confusion, with a lack of clarity on ideal batting roles for Atharva Taide and Harpreet Bhatia.
With multiple gaps in their roster and uncertainties in various departments, Punjab Kings face a daunting task in turning around their underwhelming IPL performances.
#2 Delhi Capitals (DC) IPL 2024:
Delhi Capitals were proactive in the retention process, but the resultant squad appears thin and incomplete. With just 16 players on the roster and less than ₹30 crore in their kitty, DC faces several challenges.
The Capitals let go of overseas batting options like Rovman Powell, Phil Salt, and Rilee Rossouw, leaving them with a shortage of quality overseas batsmen. The team lacks a reliable finisher and is deficient in capable middle-order batters.
Furthermore, DC struggles with the absence of a dependable death bowler. Anrich Nortje’s fitness is uncertain, and Mukesh Kumar emerges as the best option, but not an ideal one. The team lacks a strong death-bowling strategy, with Khaleel Ahmed and Ishant Sharma offering limited value in this aspect.
Despite possessing star power, the Delhi Capitals appear incomplete and face the challenge of building a balanced squad with limited funds.
#1 Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) IPL 2024:
Royal Challengers Bangalore have undergone significant changes ahead of the IPL 2024 auction, and their roster remains a work in progress. As it stands, RCB faces the daunting task of assembling a competitive side.
The addition of Cameron Green to an already formidable pace-heavy top order, featuring Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli, raises concerns about potential batting order disruptions. The lower order appears thin, especially considering Dinesh Karthik’s poor campaign last year.
RCB has lost key players like Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Harshal Patel, and reacquiring them at the auction might prove expensive. The team needs to address multiple areas, including finding quality fast bowlers, a leg-spinner, and bolstering the middle order, all with a limited budget of around ₹23 crore.
As RCB undergoes significant transformations, the challenge lies in creating a well-rounded and competitive squad within the constraints of their budget at the upcoming auction.
ALSO CHECK: IPL 2024 Schedule – Time Table, Teams, Player List, Fixtures, Venue, Auction