IPL 2025 Retentions: Top probable retentions from all the IPL teams ahead of the mega auction.
As the IPL 2024 edition gets to its conclusion, it is time to reflect on the things that happened over the course of these two months. With the IPL 2025 auction supposedly being a mega one, some of the franchises might have already sat together post their campaign’s conclusion to discuss what the future holds.
The mega auctions provide teams an opportunity to make squad overhauls for the next cycle. But before that they will be presented with a chance to retain some of their players. They can then build their squad around these core players.
Most likely, each franchise can retain up to four players, and this includes an option of utilizing the “Right to match” (RTM) card. Of these, a maximum of two can be foreigners.
Let’s delve into the probable list of players who could be retained by each of the ten teams.
Mumbai Indians - Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya
The five-time champions finished at the bottom of the peril in IPL 2024. Their dismal performances can be attributed to the fact that they didn’t function cohesively as a team.
Hence, this mega auction is the right time for them to revamp their squad and make some strategic purchases. It will be a no-brainer that MI will retain their best bowler and batter in Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav, respectively.
Mumbai Indians (MI) have invested heavily on Hardik Pandya both as a player and a leader. So, it will be tragic if they don’t retain him despite the results not going their way. As far as the Right to Match is concerned, to keep their fanbase intact and because of his good form in the 2024 season, they should opt to retain former skipper Rohit Sharma.
Chennai Super Kings – MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finished fifth in the points table and missed out on a playoff spot by a whisker. Their campaign was plagued by injuries and unavailability of some key players. But, they weren’t as consistent as they would have hoped. Considering the season that went by and the previous, where they won the title, CSK would likely retain these three players mentioned below.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, the newly appointed skipper has done well both individually and as a leader. So, he will be retained alongside all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja who has been CSK’s mainstay for over a decade.
There is no clarity on whether MS Dhoni will continue to play. But if he does, then the former skipper will be the third player retained. However, he could opt to be retained for a lesser amount to give CSK a higher purse at the auctions.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis and Mohammed Siraj
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had a roller coaster ride in IPL 2024, where they defied the odds to reach the playoffs. Though they bowed out in the Eliminator, RCB’s show this season was nothing short of inspirational.
The major reasons for their stunning turnaround were their collective teamwork and the way they were led by Faf du Plessis. He will be one of the players to be retained to take the franchise forward along with Virat Kohli, who will most likely end the season as the highest run-scorer.
Like RCB, Mohammed Siraj also had a change of fortunes after the halfway mark. He was a different bowler towards the end of the season. He led the pace attack very well and it should ideally fetch him a retention from the franchise.
Delhi Capitals – Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel
Though there were several great performers from the young Delhi Capitals (DC) squad this season, the players who are likely to be retained are their captain-vice captain duo of Rishabh Pant & Axar Patel.
Pant, who was on his comeback bid, gave a good account of himself. Not only he scored 446 runs and emerged as the team’s highest run-scorer, the keeper-batter also led an inexperienced team well. He found a great ally in Axar who had a great season as an all-rounder scoring 235 runs and picking 11 wickets.
They could either retain Kuldeep Yadav or pick him as their RTM at the auctions. The leg-spinner was their pick of the bowlers of DC with 16 wickets, continuing his stellar run with the team.
SunRisers Hyderabad – Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma and Henrich Klaasen/ Travis Head
SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), after a couple of quiet seasons, have taken the tournament by storm, thanks to their aggressive approach. Their strategy to attack at all costs with the bat has worked wonders for them and the main architects are their openers, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma.
Abhishek with 470 runs at a strike rate of over 202 is an almost certain retention. His partner in crime, Head, will likely battle it out with another consistent overseas player, Henrich Klaasen, to be retained. The third spot will go to Pat Cummins, who has been tremendous in leading the side from the front.
Kolkata Knight Riders – Shreyas Iyer, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were the first side to reach the final of IPL 2024. They have had a terrific run in the league stages, finishing at the top of the standings. Like SRH, the Knight Riders have not been afraid of going all guns blazing with the bat and that has worked for them.
Sunil Narine has already produced a man of the tournament worthy performance, scoring 482 runs to go along with 16 wickets with a game to go. He will be a sure shot retention along with another match-winner, Andre Russell. The duo has been with KKR for more than a decade. They will continue to do so if Gautam Gambhir is at the helm next season.
Shreyas Iyer has been great as a skipper, and he will be leading KKR in the next phase of their journey as well.
Lucknow Super Giants – KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran
Though there has been debate on whether KL Rahul will continue with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) post this season due to indifferent performance, the batter will likely be the first player retained. He remained as prolific as ever in the IPL and a player of his class is an asset to have.
Nicholas Pooran showed his true potential throughout the season and was a shining light for LSG in what was otherwise a forgettable season. He ended up with 499 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 178.21 from 14 innings. So, with these numbers and his experience as a T20 player, he has the best chance to be retained.
Rajasthan Royals – Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag and Yashasvi Jaiswal
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) made a rampant start to their IPL 2024 campaign, winning eight of their first 10 games. This was largely possible due to the consistency maintained by their middle-order batters, Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag. The latter has been a revelation and has paid back the faith put in by the franchise.
The two, along with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, are likely to be the three players who could be retained by the Royals come the next season.
Punjab Kings – Arshdeep Singh and Harshal Patel
Yet another season passed by where the Punjab Kings (PBKS) didn’t play to their true potential. With a strong contingent of overseas players and a good bunch of local youngsters, PBKS managed to win just five games.
Players likely to be retained might be the pace duo of Arshdeep Singh who picked 19 wickets and Harshal Patel who is currently top of bowling charts with 24 scalps.
Sam Curran did have a decent season with 270 runs and 16 wickets, but he didn’t really inspire as a captain. Curran could be retained if PBKS aren’t searching for a leadership option at the auctions. Rohit Sharma could be a contender for the role.
Gujarat Titans - Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan and Sai Sudharsan
Winning just five games, the one-time champions Gujarat Titans (GT) failed to show up despite having a good young squad. Shubman Gill didn’t have a pleasant start as a skipper, but he ended up making 426 runs. Only Sai Sudharsan (527) has more runs than the GT skipper within the team.
The opening duo should be retained by the franchise along with leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who is always a match-winner in this format.