(DNP) Sanjay Bangar delivers honest verdict over Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Poora – Sanjay Bangar’s Honest Verdict: Rethinking IPL 2026 Retention Strategies

The Evolution of IPL Retention Strategy

As the IPL 2026 season concludes, the focus shifts to the inevitable churn of the auction block. Former India batting coach and astute cricket analyst Sanjay Bangar has provided a fresh perspective on how franchises should manage their rosters. Moving beyond the binary choice of ‘retain’ or ‘release,’ Bangar has championed a third path: the ‘repurchase.’ This strategy suggests that even high-profile players who underperformed relative to their massive salary tags might still have a future with their clubs, provided they are acquired at a more realistic market valuation.

The LSG Dilemma: Pant and Pooran

Perhaps the most eye-catching part of Bangar’s analysis concerns the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Despite expectations, both Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant failed to fire. Pooran managed a modest 234 runs across 14 matches, while Pant—the most expensive player in IPL history—struggled to justify his record-breaking price tag. Rather than cutting ties permanently, Bangar suggests LSG should release both players and attempt to buy them back at the upcoming auction to better balance their squad’s financial health.

Conversely, Bangar offered a more definitive take on pacer Avesh Khan, recommending that the franchise move on entirely following a campaign hampered by injury and inconsistency.

Franchise-by-Franchise Breakdown

Bangar’s comprehensive review touched upon several other teams, highlighting the need for tactical restructuring:

• Mumbai Indians: Shardul Thakur earned praise for his 12-wicket haul, securing a potential future with the side. However, Bangar suggested that Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar may no longer fit the long-term plans. The future of Hardik Pandya remains a significant question mark, with the analyst admitting uncertainty regarding the all-rounder’s role at the franchise.
• Punjab Kings: While Marco Jansen and Yuzvendra Chahal were backed for retention despite their ups and downs, Xavier Bartlett was deemed surplus to requirements.
• Delhi Capitals: The recommendation here is to retain T Natarajan, while releasing both Nitish Rana and Mukesh Kumar.
• Chennai Super Kings: Bangar views Shivam Dube as a keeper, while proposing that Prashant Veer could be an option for a ‘repurchase’ strategy.

Strategic Moves Across the League

The veteran coach did not shy away from making bold calls across the board. For the Gujarat Titans, he advised keeping Rahul Tewatia but parting ways with Shahrukh Khan. Meanwhile, for the Rajasthan Royals, the suggestion is to retain Ravindra Jadeja and Tushar Deshpande, while looking to release Shimrot Hetmyer. Regarding Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Bangar believes the franchise should maintain faith in Romario Shepherd.

Furthermore, Bangar identified players like Liam Livingstone and Harshal Patel as prime candidates for the ‘repurchase’ category. His reasoning is simple: while these players provide clear value on the field, their current salary structures are likely over-inflated compared to their season output. By entering the auction, their value can be recalibrated.

Reflecting on Performance Metrics

The analysis is grounded in the hard reality of the 2026 stats. Players who saw their averages climb and strike rates dip were inevitably placed on the chopping block. For instance, players struggling with averages in the teens or economy rates exceeding 11 runs per over faced harsh scrutiny. Bangar’s methodology emphasizes that in the modern IPL, salary must align with impact. A player averaging 18 with a strike rate of 127 simply cannot command top-tier financial support if a team intends to build a title-winning squad.

Conclusion

Sanjay Bangar’s insights serve as a wake-up call for franchises. The era of blind retention is fading, replaced by a more clinical, data-driven approach. Whether teams will adopt his ‘repurchase’ model remains to be seen, but it certainly offers a sophisticated alternative to the panic-driven roster overhauls that often define the off-season. As we look toward the next auction, the focus will undoubtedly be on who holds their nerve and who dares to reset their financial strategy to build a stronger, more efficient team.