Gautam Gambhir could be one of the players who might be released | Photo Credit: AP

Indian Premier League franchises have been asked to submit the names of the players who they want to release before the start of the next year's tournament. As per a report in The Mumbai Mirror, The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked the franchises for the list of players they will not be keeping with them next year. As per the rule, a player is bought for three years but franchises can release any player after a season if they want.

They also have an option of releasing players while the season is on. A couple of franchises, in past, have done this while the tournament was yet to end. IPL franchises are expected to release underperforming players ahead of the next season.

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The biggest name who might be released from his franchise is Gautam Gambhir. He did not have a great homecoming to Delhi Daredevils as the veteran batsman stepped down as the captain of the franchise mid-way season, handing the mantle to Shreyas Iyer. He did not play a single game after stepping down and it looked like he himself backed out from participating in the games.

On the contrary, he revealed that he never be backed out and was always available to play. "I never dropped myself from the playing XI. If that was the case I would’ve announced my retirement as well," he had told ABP news.

(Jaydev Unadkat could not perform well in IPL 2018. Photo credits: BCCI)

In all likeliness, Delhi Daredevils will release him. Gambhir was purchased by the Delhi-based franchise for Rs 2.8 Crore. Jaydev Unadkat, who was bought by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 11.50 crore, might also be released by his franchise. He failed to emulate in last year’s success this year and could just scalp 11 wickets in 15 games bowling at an economy rate of 9.65.

Manish Pandey, who was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 11 Crore, might also be released. He just scored 284 runs in the tournament before being dropped from the playing XI.