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0 November 1, 2024 – The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 player retention window has officially closed, and the 10 franchises have now confirmed their squads for the upcoming season. With the retention deadline passing on October 31, 2024, the IPL’s 16th season is poised to be an exciting one. A total of 46 players have been retained across the franchises, with an investment of INR 558.5 crore.
The retention process saw teams making strategic decisions based on their long-term goals, available salary caps, and the need to balance experience with youthful dynamism. With the mega auction just around the corner, franchises are already shaping their lineups to chase the IPL 2025 title.
IPL 2025 Retained Players List: Retention Guidelines & Franchises’ Strategy
Each team had the opportunity to retain up to six players, with the flexibility to hold onto five capped internationals and two uncapped Indian players. The salary cap for each team at the mega auction will be INR 120 crore, giving them plenty of room to fill the remaining spots with new talent.
Here’s a breakdown of how each franchise has approached the retention window:
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have gone for a full retention, each keeping six players from their previous squads.
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Gujarat Titans (GT), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Mumbai Indians (MI), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) retained five players.
- Delhi Capitals (DC), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Punjab Kings (PBKS) have kept fewer players, opting for flexibility at the auction with DC holding onto four, RCB three, and PBKS just two.
Among the most intriguing aspects of this retention strategy is Punjab Kings’ decision to retain only two players, giving them a massive purse of INR 110.5 crore—the largest among all teams—heading into the auction. This gives them an opportunity to reconfigure their entire squad and potentially sign big-ticket players.
Key Retained Players: Focus on Youth and Experience
Franchises have shown a clear trend of balancing veteran leadership with promising young talent. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout retentions in the IPL 2025 Retained Players List.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- MS Dhoni (Captain & Wicketkeeper)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (Batsman)
- Shivam Dube (All-rounder)
- Ravindra Jadeja (All-rounder)
- Matheesha Pathirana (Bowler)
CSK’s retention strategy reflects their unwavering trust in core players who have led them to success in recent years. With MS Dhoni continuing as captain and the franchise banking on the all-round brilliance of Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube, they have retained a mix of leadership and flair. Young Ruturaj Gaikwad is expected to continue his growth as a key opener, while Matheesha Pathirana offers great potential with the ball.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Axar Patel (All-rounder)
- Kuldeep Yadav (Bowler)
- Tristan Stubbs (Batsman)
- Abhishek Porel (Wicketkeeper)
DC have gone for a more compact retention, keeping players who have either proven themselves or shown promise in the IPL. Axar Patel, a key all-rounder, continues to be a reliable asset, while Kuldeep Yadav remains the cornerstone of their spin attack. The inclusion of Tristan Stubbs—a young talent with power-hitting ability—shows DC’s commitment to investing in emerging talent.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Rashid Khan (Bowler)
- Shubman Gill (Batsman)
- Sai Sudharsan (Batsman)
- Rahul Tewatia (All-rounder)
- Shahrukh Khan (All-rounder)
Gujarat Titans, last season’s finalists, have stuck with the backbone of their squad, including world-class spinner Rashid Khan and in-form opening batsman Shubman Gill. The retention of Sai Sudharsan and Shahrukh Khan signals the team’s focus on youth, while Rahul Tewatia’s all-round capabilities continue to make him a key player in GT’s plans.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Rohit Sharma (Captain & Batsman)
- Jasprit Bumrah (Bowler)
- Hardik Pandya (All-rounder)
- Suryakumar Yadav (Batsman)
- Tilak Varma (Batsman)
Mumbai Indians have ensured their big names remain with the team: captain Rohit Sharma, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, and dynamic all-rounder Hardik Pandya. They also retain younger stars like Tilak Varma, whose performances in the last season proved his worth. Suryakumar Yadav, a fixture in MI’s top order, continues to be one of the most consistent players in the league.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Shashank Singh (Batsman)
- Prabhsimran Singh (Wicketkeeper)
With just two retentions, Punjab Kings have opted for a minimalist approach, with Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh forming the retained core. This opens up a world of possibilities for PBKS at the auction, where they are expected to be aggressive players in the market.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Sanju Samson (Captain & Wicketkeeper)
- Yashaswi Jaiswal (Batsman)
- Shimron Hetmyer (Batsman)
- Riyan Parag (All-rounder)
- Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)
- Sandeep Sharma (Bowler)
Rajasthan Royals have retained a squad rich in both experience and youth. Sanju Samson continues as captain, while young stars like Yashaswi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel are expected to step up further. Shimron Hetmyer, with his explosive batting, remains a key player for RR’s middle order, while the retention of Riyan Parag and Sandeep Sharma adds depth.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
- Pat Cummins (Bowler)
- Abhishek Sharma (All-rounder)
- Heinrich Klaasen (Wicketkeeper)
- Travis Head (Batsman)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy (Batsman)
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, the retention of players like Pat Cummins and Heinrich Klaasen reflects their focus on strengthening their squad in key positions. Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head bring in versatility and experience, while Nitish Kumar Reddy continues to add depth to their batting.
What to Expect at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction
With the player retention window now closed, the IPL 2025 Retained Players List has set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling mega auction. Punjab Kings, with the largest available purse, are expected to go big, while other teams will look to fill gaps and enhance their squads. The auction will be a key battleground for some of the best young talents and seasoned internationals.
Conclusion: A New Chapter Awaits
The IPL 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. With teams retaining their star players and a host of big signings expected at the auction, the race for the trophy is wide open. As the countdown to the mega auction begins, fans can look forward to another thrilling season of fast-paced action, high drama, and unforgettable moments.
