Explore the IPL 2025 retention updates as top franchises retain key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni. Get insights into each team’s strategy, including surprising releases like KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, as teams gear up for the mega auction. Discover which players will make it to the bidding pool this season.

IPL 2025: Key Retentions from IPL Franchises

Several high-profile players have been retained by their respective franchises as they prepare for the IPL 2025 mega auction. Among the big names, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni have been retained by their teams, while players like Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer are set to re-enter the auction pool. This retention strategy reflects each team’s focus on maintaining a solid core while freeing up space for new talent.

IPL 2025: Retention Strategies of the IPL Teams

Ahead of the 2025 mega auction, all 10 teams have finalized their retention choices. According to league rules, each team was permitted to retain a maximum of five capped players, two uncapped players, and a total of six players. Teams that retained fewer players will have more Right-to-Match (RTM) cards available for the auction, providing additional flexibility in reclaiming released players if needed.

Mumbai Indians’ Comprehensive Approach

Five-time champions Mumbai Indians retained all five capped players, including prominent names such as Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Tilak Varma. By not retaining any uncapped players, Mumbai can utilize additional options at the auction.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals Use Full Retention Options

Both Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals retained six players each, utilizing their full retention capacity. KKR, notably, kept Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russell, and other key players but made the bold move to release their captain, Shreyas Iyer, making him available for the auction. Rajasthan Royals also retained their core squad to maintain team stability for the upcoming season.

Punjab Kings Emphasizes Uncapped Players

Punjab Kings opted to retain two uncapped players, Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh, leaving room for RTM options on capped players during the auction. This strategy allows them to potentially secure experienced players in the upcoming auction while investing in emerging talent.

Major Players Headed to the Auction Pool

Significant player releases include Delhi Capitals’ Rishabh Pant, Lucknow Super Giants’ KL Rahul, and Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Faf du Plessis. With these releases, the 2025 auction promises exciting bidding for marquee names and could lead to franchise shifts for these players.

Chennai Super Kings’ Unique Retention

The Chennai Super Kings retained former captain MS Dhoni under the uncapped player category, given that he hasn’t played international cricket in the last five years. This strategic move enables CSK to hold on to their veteran leader while maximizing their options for acquiring additional talent at the auction.

Franchise-Wise Retained Players Overview

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

• Retained Players: MS Dhoni, Matheesha Pathirana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube

Delhi Capitals (DC)

• Retained Players: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel

Gujarat Titans (GT)

• Retained Players: Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

• Retained Players: Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

• Retained Players: Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni

Mumbai Indians (MI)

• Retained Players: Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

• Retained Players: Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

• Retained Players: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

• Retained Players: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

• Retained Players: Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Nitish Kumar Reddy

The IPL 2025 mega auction looks promising with a strong roster of players re-entering the bidding pool and franchises strategically positioning themselves with retained players. Fans can expect intense competition and possibly some unexpected team compositions for the upcoming season.