The IPL 2025 season is in full swing, and as teams battle it out for playoff spots, certain player performances are causing some serious boardroom regrets. Are you keeping track of which players are making their former franchises wish they had a time machine? The auction table is where fortunes are decided in the IPL, and this season has already highlighted some massive missteps by team management.
Let’s dive into the five players who are shining so brightly in IPL 2025 that they’re making their former franchises question their release decisions ahead of the mega auction. These stars have turned into match-winners for their new teams, leaving their old franchises watching from the sidelines with undeniable regret.
Table of Contents
1. Jos Buttler: Rajasthan Royals’ Biggest Mistake
Rajasthan Royals made what might be remembered as one of the most significant blunders in recent IPL history by releasing Jos Buttler ahead of the 2025 season. The English dynamo has been nothing short of spectacular since moving to Gujarat Titans for a hefty Rs 15.75 crore.
With 356 runs in just eight games at a remarkable average of 71.20, Buttler has been a consistent run-machine at the top of the order. His ability to accelerate at will and dominate powerplay overs has given his new franchise a tremendous advantage. Meanwhile, Rajasthan’s opening combinations have struggled to find the same rhythm and impact that Buttler provided for years.
What makes this decision particularly painful for the Royals is that Buttler was not just a statistical asset but a fan favorite whose explosive batting style perfectly complemented their brand of cricket. As he continues to dismantle bowling attacks for the Titans, Rajasthan management must be questioning the strategy that led them to let go of such a proven match-winner.
The ripple effects of Buttler’s departure are evident in Rajasthan’s inconsistent performances this season. While Yashasvi Jaiswal has shown flashes of brilliance with consecutive fifties, the team clearly misses Buttler’s ability to single-handedly win matches and his experience in pressure situations. Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, have found the perfect opening partner for Shubman Gill, creating one of the most formidable top orders in the tournament.
2. Aiden Markram: From Captain to Castaway at SRH
Sunrisers Hyderabad raised eyebrows when they released Aiden Markram, who had previously captained the franchise. The South African all-rounder has found a new lease on life at Lucknow Super Giants, where his talents are being utilized to their full potential.
Markram’s contributions with both bat and ball have made him an invaluable asset for LSG. His ability to build innings in the middle order, combined with his useful off-spin, offers the kind of balance that franchise cricket teams dream about. Most recently, he formed a formidable opening partnership with Mitchell Marsh that powered LSG to a commanding total against KKR.
While SRH restructured their leadership and batting lineup, they’ve lost the versatility and calm presence that Markram brought to the table. His current form suggests that SRH might have undervalued his contributions, especially considering how seamlessly he’s adapted to his new role at Lucknow.
Beyond just his individual performances, Markram has emerged as a mentor figure for young Indian talents like spinner Digvesh Rathi. His leadership qualities and tactical acumen are attributes that cannot be measured in statistics alone but have a profound impact on team dynamics. SRH’s decision to let him go now looks increasingly shortsighted as LSG benefits from his multifaceted contributions.
3. KL Rahul: From LSG Leader to Delhi Dynamite
When Lucknow Super Giants released KL Rahul, many questioned whether they were making the right call. After all, Rahul was not just a premier batsman but also their captain. The Delhi Capitals swooped in with a Rs 14 crore bid, and they’re now reaping the benefits of that investment.
Rahul has been in imperious form this season, showcasing his full repertoire of shots while maintaining the consistency that has made him one of the most reliable batsmen in the tournament’s history. His elegant stroke play combined with improved strike rates has silenced critics who previously questioned his approach.
Meanwhile, LSG has had to rebuild their batting order and leadership structure, a transition that hasn’t been entirely smooth. As Rahul continues to pile on the runs for Delhi, the Lucknow management might be wondering if they should have worked harder to retain their former skipper.
The decision to release Rahul becomes even more perplexing when considering the auction dynamics. Delhi Capitals managed to acquire him for a relatively reasonable price of Rs 14 crore, significantly less than what top Indian batsmen with leadership credentials typically command. This financial aspect adds another layer to LSG’s regret as they not only lost a world-class player but potentially missed out on a bargain in the auction economy.
4. Shreyas Iyer: KKR’s Title-Winning Captain Now Punjab’s Crown Jewel
In perhaps the most shocking pre-auction move, Kolkata Knight Riders released Shreyas Iyer despite him leading them to the IPL title in the previous season. Punjab Kings recognized his value and made him the second most expensive player in IPL history with a staggering Rs 26.75 crore bid.
Iyer has justified every rupee of that massive price tag with his performances for Punjab. His leadership qualities combined with his ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed have transformed Punjab’s middle order. Most importantly, he’s brought a winning mentality to a franchise that has historically struggled to find consistency.
KKR’s decision appears even more puzzling considering the void in leadership and middle-order stability that Iyer’s departure created. As he continues to excel for Punjab, KKR fans must be wondering why their management didn’t prioritize retaining the captain who brought them glory.
The intangible value Iyer brings to Punjab extends beyond his on-field performances. His calm demeanor under pressure and ability to extract the best from his teammates have injected new life into a franchise that has frequently underperformed despite having talented squads. His nomination for ICC Player of the Month following his Champions Trophy heroics only underscores what KKR lost when they let him go.
5. Yuzvendra Chahal: Rajasthan’s Loss, Punjab’s Gain
Rajasthan Royals made the puzzling decision to part ways with Yuzvendra Chahal, arguably the most consistent spinner in IPL history. Punjab Kings recognized this opportunity and signed him for Rs 18 crore, adding a world-class spinner to their arsenal.
Chahal has continued his wicket-taking ways in the purple and red of Punjab, providing crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs. His ability to outfox batsmen with flight, guile, and variations has made him an invaluable asset in a tournament where quality spin bowling is at a premium.
The Royals’ spin department has struggled to fill the void left by Chahal’s departure, highlighting just how significant his contribution was to their previous campaigns. As he continues to spin webs around batsmen for Punjab, Rajasthan’s think tank must be questioning their decision to let him go.
What’s particularly noteworthy about Chahal’s case is that his value has increased with age. At a time when many spinners begin to decline, he continues to refine his craft and add new variations to his arsenal. Rajasthan’s decision to release him seems to have been based on conventional wisdom about age rather than a clear-eyed assessment of his continued evolution as a bowler. Punjab’s willingness to invest heavily in him has already paid dividends as he remains one of the tournament’s premier wicket-takers.
Auction Decisions That Shaped IPL 2025
The IPL auction is a high-stakes poker game where franchises must make split-second decisions with long-term consequences. While some teams struck gold with their new acquisitions, others are now watching their former players thrive elsewhere. These five players have not only adapted well to their new environments but have elevated their games to levels that have their former franchises questioning their auction strategies.
The retention and release decisions before the mega auction can often be more significant than the auction itself. Teams must balance financial constraints, squad composition, and future planning when deciding which players to keep. However, as this IPL season has shown, sometimes the best strategy is to prioritize proven match-winners over other considerations.
For fans of these franchises, watching their former heroes excel for rival teams brings mixed emotions. There’s pride in seeing players they once cheered for succeed, but also frustration at management decisions that led to their departures. These sentiments are amplified when the players in question are helping their new teams climb the points table at the expense of their former employers.
As the tournament progresses, these performances will continue to be scrutinized, and the true impact of these auction decisions will become even clearer. For now, though, Buttler, Markram, Rahul, Iyer, and Chahal stand as shining examples of release decisions that franchises are deeply regretting.
What do you think about these auction decisions? Which release do you believe was the biggest blunder? As the playoff race heats up, these players’ performances could be the difference between success and failure for their new franchises—and a season of what-ifs for their former teams.
FAQ:-
Who are the players not retained in IPL 2025?
In IPL 2025, a significant number of players were not retained by their respective teams, meaning they will be available in the upcoming mega auction. Notable players who were not retained include Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Andre Russell. Additionally, players like Mitchell Starc, Jos Buttler, and Yuzvendra Chahal were also released.
Who is unsold in IPL 2025?
Several notable players went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction, including David Warner, Kane Williamson, and Jonny Bairstow. Other unsold players included Shardul Thakur, Prithvi Shaw, and Mayank Agarwal. This suggests a highly competitive bidding environment and potentially a shift in team strategies.
