As the Indian Premier League (IPL) gears up for its 2025 season, the focus is on the player retention strategies of the franchises ahead of the mega auction. The IPL 2025 Mega Auction is set to be a significant event, allowing teams to retain a limited number of players while releasing the rest into the auction pool. This article provides an overview of the expected retained players for each of the ten franchises.
Retained Players Overview
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
The Chennai Super Kings are likely to retain:
- Ravindra Jadeja: A crucial all-rounder and a mainstay in the CSK lineup.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad: Emerging as a reliable opener, Gaikwad has become an integral part of the batting order.
- MS Dhoni: If he is available, Dhoni will undoubtedly be retained due to his leadership and experience.
- Shivam Dube: His all-round capabilities make him a valuable asset for the team.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
The Delhi Capitals are expected to retain:
- Rishabh Pant: The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter is a cornerstone of the team.
- Axar Patel: His all-round skills and experience in the IPL make him indispensable.
- Kuldeep Yadav: A key spinner who has performed well in recent seasons.
- Jake Fraser-McGurk: A promising talent who has shown potential in his outings.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
The Gujarat Titans will likely retain:
- Shubman Gill: A young and talented batsman who has been in excellent form.
- Rashid Khan: One of the best T20 bowlers globally, his retention is crucial for the bowling attack.
- Mohammed Shami: A seasoned fast bowler who has consistently delivered for the team.
- Sai Sudharsan: An emerging talent who has impressed in his limited appearances.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
KKR is expected to retain:
- Shreyas Iyer: The captain and a key batsman for the franchise.
- Sunil Narine: A versatile player known for his exceptional bowling and handy batting.
- Andre Russell: A game-changer with both bat and ball; his retention is vital.
- Varun Chakravarthy: A leading spinner who has been effective in the IPL.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
For LSG, the retained players are likely to include:
- KL Rahul: The captain and a prolific run-scorer.
- Nicholas Pooran: A powerful hitter who can change the game in a few overs.
- Marcus Stoinis: An all-rounder who adds depth to both batting and bowling.
- Mayank Yadav: A promising young talent who has shown great potential.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
The Mumbai Indians will probably retain:
- Rohit Sharma: The franchise captain and a key batsman.
- Jasprit Bumrah: One of the best bowlers in the world; his retention is non-negotiable.
- Suryakumar Yadav: A consistent performer in the middle order.
- Hardik Pandya: An explosive all-rounder who can change the course of a match.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Punjab Kings are expected to retain:
- Sam Curran: A dynamic all-rounder with international experience.
- Arshdeep Singh: A young pacer who has been impressive in recent seasons.
- Shashank Singh: A player who has shown promise in limited opportunities.
- Ashutosh Sharma: A rising star with potential to contribute significantly.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
The Rajasthan Royals are likely to retain:
- Sanju Samson: The captain and a key batsman in the lineup.
- Jos Buttler: A world-class player known for his explosive batting.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: A young talent who has made a mark in the league.
- Riyan Parag: An all-rounder who can contribute in various situations.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
RCB is expected to retain:
- Virat Kohli: A franchise icon and one of the best batsmen in the world.
- Mohammed Siraj: A key bowler who has shown significant improvement.
- Glenn Maxwell: An explosive batsman who can change the game quickly.
- Cameron Green: A talented all-rounder who adds depth to the squad.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Finally, the Sunrisers Hyderabad are likely to retain:
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: A seasoned bowler with vast experience.
- Abhishek Sharma: A versatile player who can contribute with bat and ball.
- T Natarajan: Known for his yorkers, he is a valuable asset in the bowling department.
- Travis Head: A player with international experience who can strengthen the batting lineup.
Conclusion
The IPL retained player is crucial for teams as they prepare for the mega auction. Each franchise must carefully consider which players to keep, balancing experience with potential. As the auction approaches, the anticipation builds around how these decisions will shape the teams for the upcoming season, making the IPL 2025 an exciting prospect for fans and players alike.