Indian Premier League is one of the most loved and popular tournaments around the world. Over the years, some cricketers have made an irreplaceable space for themselves in their respective franchises. But time and again, we have seen franchises releasing their best players for the auctions and then using the RTM card to take them back into their team.
For the unversed, the Right To Match card in IPL’s mega auction is something that every franchise loves using. If a franchise has released a player and not retained him, then the RTM card is used by the franchise to get their popular team member back into the squad. Earlier, this card was called a Joker Card.
There have been several incidents where popular cricketers were signed by other franchises for whopping amounts, however, they were bought back by their franchise by using the RTM card.
Here, we bring you a list of 5 cricketers who were signed by other teams but got RTMed. Have a look:
5. Pragyan Ojha:
Pragyan Ojha was a part of the Mumbai Indians’ playing squad when they lifted their first ever IPL trophy in the year 2013. However, he was dropped from the squad because of the mega auction rules.
He was then signed by Delhi Capitals for 3.25 crores at the auction but Mumbai Indians used the Right To Match or RTM card ad didn’t allow him to go to Delhi Capitals.
4. Shikhar Dhawan:
Shikhar Dhawan entered the mega auctions ahead of IPL 2018 with a base price of INR 2 crore rupees. The bidding war was started by the Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals, who were later joined by the Mumbai Indians. But the bidding war was won by Kings XI Punjab with an INR 5.2 crores. In the end, it was Sunrisers Hyderabad who used their RTM card to get Dhawan back into their team.
3. Robin Uthappa:
Robin Uthappa, who has been the proud owner of the Orange Cap in the past, also entered IPL 2018’s mega auctions with a base price of INR 2 crores. The bidding war took place between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians, however, eventually, KKR used their RTM card to take Utappa back.
2. Ajinkya Rahane:
When Rajasthan Royals entered the mega auction of IPL 2018, after fulfilling their suspension period of 2 years, had a choice to retain Ajinkya Rahane but they allowed him to enter the auctions.
After an intense bidding war with Mumbai Indians, Rahane was signed by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) for 4 crores. However, RR used their RTM card and also announced Rahane as their new skipper.
1. Krunal Pandya:
Krunal Pandya entered the mega auctions before IPL 2018 with a base price of INR 40 lakhs. After a bidding war between RR, SRH, and RCB, RCB signed him for INR 8.8 crores, however, Mumbai Indians used their RTM power and brought him back to their team.
