One is not even sure when and where the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League will take place, but if one is to go by the mood of the franchises, it promises to be a big splash again.
The figures are staggering as to how seven teams have exhausted a whopping Rs.205.5 crore from their auction purses in retaining 24 players. Yet, the biggest surprise is how Delhi Daredevils have decided to adopt a unique strategy of not retaining a single player and deciding to build from scratch.
To be sure, the reaction from fans who once swore allegiance to the Daredevils has been one of outrage. I am not on Facebook, but saw the Delhi Daredevils' page out of curiosity - and reactions to Virender Sehwag not being retained are straight out of the team's worst nightmare.
The figures are staggering as to how seven teams have exhausted a whopping Rs.205.5 crore from their auction purses in retaining 24 players. Yet, the biggest surprise is how Delhi Daredevils have decided to adopt a unique strategy of not retaining a single player and deciding to build from scratch.
To be sure, the reaction from fans who once swore allegiance to the Daredevils has been one of outrage. I am not on Facebook, but saw the Delhi Daredevils' page out of curiosity - and reactions to Virender Sehwag not being retained are straight out of the team's worst nightmare.
Gary Kirsten (left) could be tempted to draft Virender Sehwag back in the side at the auction.
'No Viru, No Delhi' was one of the simpler laments, but by Saturday evening, the Daredevils had to come out on social media and issue clarifications about rebuilding the side and thank all those who were part of the team.
A league like the IPL is based on city loyalty, and it is clear the Daredevils' think tank wasn't prepared for the backlash from fans - of which there are over 2 lakh followers on Twitter and over 11 lakh on Facebook.
Looking ahead, the process of rebuilding for the Daredevils has been entrusted to guru Gary Kirsten. It is clear that a side which flattered to deceive in the 2012 IPL hit the trough last year, when it finished at the bottom.
One is not even sure when and where the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League will take place, but if one is to go by the mood of the franchises, it promises to be a big splash again.
The figures are staggering as to how seven teams have exhausted a whopping Rs.205.5 crore from their auction purses in retaining 24 players. Yet, the biggest surprise is how Delhi Daredevils have decided to adopt a unique strategy of not retaining a single player and deciding to build from scratch.
To be sure, the reaction from fans who once swore allegiance to the Daredevils has been one of outrage. I am not on Facebook, but saw the Delhi Daredevils' page out of curiosity - and reactions to Virender Sehwag not being retained are straight out of the team's worst nightmare.
'No Viru, No Delhi' was one of the simpler laments, but by Saturday evening, the Daredevils had to come out on social media and issue clarifications about rebuilding the side and thank all those who were part of the team.
A league like the IPL is based on city loyalty, and it is clear the Daredevils' think tank wasn't prepared for the backlash from fans - of which there are over 2 lakh followers on Twitter and over 11 lakh on Facebook. Looking ahead, the process of rebuilding for the Daredevils has been entrusted to guru Gary Kirsten. It is clear that a side which flattered to deceive in the 2012 IPL hit the trough last year, when it finished at the bottom.
The side is looking for redemption and strategising at the auction will be very important. You and I may think that Kevin Pietersen, David Warner and Virender Sehwag are history as far as Delhi are concerned, but by not retaining a single player, they have kept three 'right to match' cards and can yet get all of them back.
Money matters at the auction and compared to franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi have the full purse of Rs.60 crore. The catch, so to say, could come when they try for KP, Viru or Warner and are ready to spend only lesser sums on them.
You and I may think Viru's days are over as even in domestic cricket, he is struggling to score runs. Word has it that Kirsten likes Sehwag and could be tempted to draft him back in the side. Be that as it may, if Delhi plan to get back these three players, then how Kirsten handles their egos will be interesting to watch.
Looking ahead, when Delhi decide on which players to pick at the auction, they would do well to remember the character of the Kotla pitch. Forget what happened during the Ranji season and how Delhi skipper Gautam Gambhir preferred matches at the Roshanara Club. The Kotla track has seen players like Amit Mishra and Shahbaz Nadeem do well in the IPL and they could well be in the mix.
As far as the batting goes, Pietersen may not have been retained but he is still going to be a big draw. One concern may be on his availability, but given his wretched form Down Under and doubts over his England future, KP may be available to play the full IPL season. The decision of Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to spend Rs.39 crore each on retaining five players means they will be left with only Rs.21 crore for picking up the rest of their players.
Somehow, the economics looks warped as Rs.21 crore for getting a minimum of 11 players could be inadequate. The IPL rules say each team is required to have a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 27 players. Looking at Royal Challengers Bangalore, they have adopted a very bold strategy of spending close to half their sum on just three players. They are left with just `30.5 crore for hiring a minimum of 13 players and that means a cash crunch when compared the kind of purse Delhi has.
The very thought of some big players not being retained makes news as Ashes superstar Mitchell Johnson has been spurned by Mumbai Indians. There are other interesting names like Yuvraj Singh and South African Faf du Plessis who will also be up for grabs.
Looking at Chennai, they will also face a problem similar to Bangalore as the cash in hand (`21 crore) is pittance for picking up at least 11 more players.
Mind you, they have retained only one overseas player - Dwayne Bravo - so to get the cream will mean money.
In a way, if one looks at Delhi's decision to start from scratch, it makes sense. Once you have finished at the bottom of the league in the IPL and are looking at brick-by-brick consolidation, everything appears positive. The team owners seem to have taken a conscious decision to hold themselves back and leave cricketing matters to Kirsten.
Indeed, for the Delhi fans, the season ahead is one of hope and optimism.
You and I may think that Kevin Pietersen, David Warner and Virender Sehwag are history as far as Delhi are concerned, but by not retaining a single player, they have kept three 'right to match' cards and can yet get all of them back.
Money matters at the auction and compared to franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi have the full purse of Rs.60 crore. The catch, so to say, could come when they try for KP, Viru or Warner and are ready to spend only lesser sums on them.
You and I may think Viru's days are over as even in domestic cricket, he is struggling to score runs. Word has it that Kirsten likes Sehwag and could be tempted to draft him back in the side. Be that as it may, if Delhi plan to get back these three players, then how Kirsten handles their egos will be interesting to watch.
Looking ahead, when Delhi decide on which players to pick at the auction, they would do well to remember the character of the Kotla pitch. Forget what happened during the Ranji season and how Delhi skipper Gautam Gambhir preferred matches at the Roshanara Club. The Kotla track has seen players like Amit Mishra and Shahbaz Nadeem do well in the IPL and they could well be in the mix.
As far as the batting goes, Pietersen may not have been retained but he is still going to be a big draw. One concern may be on his availability, but given his wretched form Down Under and doubts over his England future, KP may be available to play the full IPL season. \
One is not even sure when and where the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League will take place, but if one is to go by the mood of the franchises, it promises to be a big splash again.
The figures are staggering as to how seven teams have exhausted a whopping Rs.205.5 crore from their auction purses in retaining 24 players. Yet, the biggest surprise is how Delhi Daredevils have decided to adopt a unique strategy of not retaining a single player and deciding to build from scratch.
To be sure, the reaction from fans who once swore allegiance to the Daredevils has been one of outrage. I am not on Facebook, but saw the Delhi Daredevils' page out of curiosity - and reactions to Virender Sehwag not being retained are straight out of the team's worst nightmare.
'No Viru, No Delhi' was one of the simpler laments, but by Saturday evening, the Daredevils had to come out on social media and issue clarifications about rebuilding the side and thank all those who were part of the team.
A league like the IPL is based on city loyalty, and it is clear the Daredevils' think tank wasn't prepared for the backlash from fans - of which there are over 2 lakh followers on Twitter and over 11 lakh on Facebook. Looking ahead, the process of rebuilding for the Daredevils has been entrusted to guru Gary Kirsten. It is clear that a side which flattered to deceive in the 2012 IPL hit the trough last year, when it finished at the bottom.
The side is looking for redemption and strategising at the auction will be very important. You and I may think that Kevin Pietersen, David Warner and Virender Sehwag are history as far as Delhi are concerned, but by not retaining a single player, they have kept three 'right to match' cards and can yet get all of them back.
Money matters at the auction and compared to franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi have the full purse of Rs.60 crore. The catch, so to say, could come when they try for KP, Viru or Warner and are ready to spend only lesser sums on them.
You and I may think Viru's days are over as even in domestic cricket, he is struggling to score runs. Word has it that Kirsten likes Sehwag and could be tempted to draft him back in the side. Be that as it may, if Delhi plan to get back these three players, then how Kirsten handles their egos will be interesting to watch.
Looking ahead, when Delhi decide on which players to pick at the auction, they would do well to remember the character of the Kotla pitch. Forget what happened during the Ranji season and how Delhi skipper Gautam Gambhir preferred matches at the Roshanara Club. The Kotla track has seen players like Amit Mishra and Shahbaz Nadeem do well in the IPL and they could well be in the mix.
As far as the batting goes, Pietersen may not have been retained but he is still going to be a big draw. One concern may be on his availability, but given his wretched form Down Under and doubts over his England future, KP may be available to play the full IPL season. The decision of Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to spend Rs.39 crore each on retaining five players means they will be left with only Rs.21 crore for picking up the rest of their players.
Somehow, the economics looks warped as Rs.21 crore for getting a minimum of 11 players could be inadequate. The IPL rules say each team is required to have a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 27 players. Looking at Royal Challengers Bangalore, they have adopted a very bold strategy of spending close to half their sum on just three players. They are left with just `30.5 crore for hiring a minimum of 13 players and that means a cash crunch when compared the kind of purse Delhi has.
The very thought of some big players not being retained makes news as Ashes superstar Mitchell Johnson has been spurned by Mumbai Indians. There are other interesting names like Yuvraj Singh and South African Faf du Plessis who will also be up for grabs.
Looking at Chennai, they will also face a problem similar to Bangalore as the cash in hand (`21 crore) is pittance for picking up at least 11 more players.
Mind you, they have retained only one overseas player - Dwayne Bravo - so to get the cream will mean money.
In a way, if one looks at Delhi's decision to start from scratch, it makes sense. Once you have finished at the bottom of the league in the IPL and are looking at brick-by-brick consolidation, everything appears positive. The team owners seem to have taken a conscious decision to hold themselves back and leave cricketing matters to Kirsten.
Indeed, for the Delhi fans, the season ahead is one of hope and optimism.
You and I may think that Kevin Pietersen, David Warner and Virender Sehwag are history as far as Delhi are concerned, but by not retaining a single player, they have kept three 'right to match' cards and can yet get all of them back.
Money matters at the auction and compared to franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi have the full purse of Rs.60 crore. The catch, so to say, could come when they try for KP, Viru or Warner and are ready to spend only lesser sums on them.
You and I may think Viru's days are over as even in domestic cricket, he is struggling to score runs. Word has it that Kirsten likes Sehwag and could be tempted to draft him back in the side. Be that as it may, if Delhi plan to get back these three players, then how Kirsten handles their egos will be interesting to watch.
Looking ahead, when Delhi decide on which players to pick at the auction, they would do well to remember the character of the Kotla pitch. Forget what happened during the Ranji season and how Delhi skipper Gautam Gambhir preferred matches at the Roshanara Club. The Kotla track has seen players like Amit Mishra and Shahbaz Nadeem do well in the IPL and they could well be in the mix.
As far as the batting goes, Pietersen may not have been retained but he is still going to be a big draw. One concern may be on his availability, but given his wretched form Down Under and doubts over his England future, KP may be available to play the full IPL season. \
The decision of Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to spend Rs.39 crore each on retaining five players means they will be left with only Rs.21 crore for picking up the rest of their players.
Somehow, the economics looks warped as Rs.21 crore for getting a minimum of 11 players could be inadequate. The IPL rules say each team is required to have a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 27 players.
Somehow, the economics looks warped as Rs.21 crore for getting a minimum of 11 players could be inadequate. The IPL rules say each team is required to have a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 27 players.
Looking at Royal Challengers Bangalore, they have adopted a very bold strategy of spending close to half their sum on just three players. They are left with just `30.5 crore for hiring a minimum of 13 players and that means a cash crunch when compared the kind of purse Delhi has.
The very thought of some big players not being retained makes news as Ashes superstar Mitchell Johnson has been spurned by Mumbai Indians. There are other interesting names like Yuvraj Singh and South African Faf du Plessis who will also be up for grabs.
Looking at Chennai, they will also face a problem similar to Bangalore as the cash in hand (`21 crore) is pittance for picking up at least 11 more players.
Mind you, they have retained only one overseas player - Dwayne Bravo - so to get the cream will mean money.
In a way, if one looks at Delhi's decision to start from scratch, it makes sense. Once you have finished at the bottom of the league in the IPL and are looking at brick-by-brick consolidation, everything appears positive.
The very thought of some big players not being retained makes news as Ashes superstar Mitchell Johnson has been spurned by Mumbai Indians. There are other interesting names like Yuvraj Singh and South African Faf du Plessis who will also be up for grabs.
Looking at Chennai, they will also face a problem similar to Bangalore as the cash in hand (`21 crore) is pittance for picking up at least 11 more players.
Mind you, they have retained only one overseas player - Dwayne Bravo - so to get the cream will mean money.
In a way, if one looks at Delhi's decision to start from scratch, it makes sense. Once you have finished at the bottom of the league in the IPL and are looking at brick-by-brick consolidation, everything appears positive.
The team owners seem to have taken a conscious decision to hold themselves back and leave cricketing matters to Kirsten.
Indeed, for the Delhi fans, the season ahead is one of hope and optimism.
Indeed, for the Delhi fans, the season ahead is one of hope and optimism.
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