10 iconic players released by franchises ahead of IPL 2016: Ahead of the February auctions for the IPL 2016, the franchises have made some interesting calls as they let go some big-names from their squad. A total of 61 players have been released by their respective franchises and will now go into the fresh auction pool scheduled for February 6 in Bangalore. Among them Kings XI Punjab let go the least players- 8 and Royal Challengers Bangalore the most- 14. The likes of Virender Sehwag were the obvious choice to have released as he announced his retirement from international cricket and IPL couple of months ago.
Here goes the list of some big-names whose services are no longer required for the team.
- Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen was left out by Sunrisers Hyderabad, but after looking at his fantastic form at the Big Bash League, surely the franchise would have bewailed. He was bought at his base price of INR 2 crore last year, but a shoulder injury kept him out of the tournament.
- Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh was the costliest buy in two consecutive seasons of the IPL. In the 2014 auctions of the Indian Premier League, he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 14 crore and then he went to Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2015 for 16 crore. But the southpaw was failed to impress his franchise and fans with his performance and was excluded from the squad in both the seasons.
- Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn, who dropped a place down from No.1 bowler in ICC Test Rankings has been released by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Injuries and fitness have troubled the South Africa’s pace spearhead and his unimpressive form lately has invited his downfall. He served as a frontline bowler for the Deccan Chargers and then Sunrisers Hyderabad before getting snubbed for the first time in IPL.
- Dinesh Karthik
The second highest bid in last year’s auction with a price of INR 10 crore, Dinesh Karthik transferred to Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2015. The Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper had a poor season and hence the franchise opted to let him go.
- Angelo Mathews
The Sri Lanka skipper was bought by Delhi Daredevils for INR 7.5 crore, which was the third costliest in the 2015 auctions. The 28-year-old all-rounder was left out by the franchise a few days ago.
- Ishant Sharma
India’s frontline pacer Ishant Sharma has got his rhythm back for the shorter-formats after he was rattling with the new ball for India. Sunrisers Hyderabad released the lanky pacer and would be available for the February auctions now.
- George Bailey
This was a surprising move by the franchise. The captain of the last two seasons for the Kings XI Punjab, George Bailey who led his team to the finale of IPL 2014 and missed the trophy by a whisker was let go by the franchise.
- Aaron Finch
The top-ranked batsman in T20Is, Australia’s Aaron Finch was relinquished by Mumbai Indians. He is displaying terrific form in the ongoing Big Bash League for the Melbourne Renegades. Played only three matches for Mumbai Indians before he hurt his hamstring and was ruled out of the tournament last year.
- Darren Sammy
Former West Indies skipper who led his team to victory in the 2012 World T20, was bought for INR 2.8 crore by the Royal Challengers Bangalore last year. This time the franchise felt the services of the star all-rounder will no longer be required.
- Ravi Bopara
The English all-rounder who did a commendable job in Bangladesh Premier League 2015 for Sylhet Superstars was left out by Sunrisers Hyderabad, who bought him for base price INR 1 crore in 2015.