AS MANY as four Vidarbha players were retained by their Indian Premier League franchisees while India pacer Umesh Yadav was released by his on last day of IPL 2024 retentions on Sunday. Stumper Jitesh Sharma, who made his India debut in the Asian Games winning gold for the nation, and southpaw opener Atharva Taide have been retained by Punjab Kings. All-rounder Darshan Nalkande will also ply his trade for Gujarat Titans once again.

 

Yash Thakur, who did fine job bowling death overs for his side Lucknow Super Giants has also been rewarded. India pacer Umesh Yadav has been released by Kolkata Knight Riders. While Sharma had become an important cog in the wheel for the north Indian franchise, Taide also did well in the limited opportunities that he was presented with. Sharma was equally brilliant with the gloves behind the sticks and with willow in front of the stumps and impressed not only his franchise people but but also India selectors making way into the Indian team. he is presently part of the India squad playing the five-match Twenty20 series against the visiting Australians.

 

Nalkande, who has a knack of taking wickets, was also retained by Hardik Pandya led GT, who also were successful in asking the captain to be with the team. it was reported that Pandya was moving back to Mumbai Indians. Thakur used the slow bouncers and bowled balls close tothe wide line to contain thebatters. He has been rewardedfor his consitency. Speedster Yadav, who hashad mixed fortunes with hisstints at KKR, could not keephis place. He might feature inthe IPL auctions to be held inDubai in December.