Kolkata Knight Riders have announced the release of their title-winning captain, Shreyas Iyer. As previously reported, Iyer was a tough negotiator for KKR, prompting the franchise to move on. He played three seasons with KKR, starting in 2022.
Contrary to speculation about Andre Russell’s future, it has now been confirmed that the West Indian all-rounder has been retained, along with Sunil Narine (12 Cr), Rinku Singh (13 Cr), Varun CV (12 Cr), and uncapped players Ramandeep Singh (4 Cr) and Harshit Rana (4 Cr). The 2024 champions are among only two teams retaining all six players and will not have any Right to Match (RTM) cards available at the auction.
IPL 2025 Retentions
DC Retentions: Delhi Capitals Release Captain Rishabh Pant
Delhi Capitals have officially parted ways with Rishabh Pant after extensive negotiations, including a meeting last evening in an attempt to secure his signature for another three years. Pant began his IPL journey with the Delhi franchise in 2016 and has been with them ever since.
The team has decided to retain the spin duo of Axar Patel (16.50 Cr) and Kuldeep Yadav (13.25 Cr), along with promising South African batter Tristan Stubbs (10 Cr) and uncapped player Abishek Porel (4 Cr).
LSG Retentions: Lucknow Super Giants Captain KL Rahul Departs
Lucknow Super Giants have made the significant decision to release their Indian star, KL Rahul, following a lackluster season earlier this year. The franchise has opted to invest heavily in the retention of Nicholas Pooran—currently a T20 sensation—for INR 21 crore.
They also retained leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (11 Cr) and pace bowler Mayank Yadav (11 Cr), who was recently capped, along with uncapped players Ayush Badoni (4 Cr) and pacer Mohsin Khan (4 Cr).
SRH Retentions: Sunrisers Hyderabad Heinrich Klaasen Secures INR 23 Crore
Sunrisers Hyderabad have also retained five players and made headlines by re-signing Heinrich Klaasen for a staggering INR 23 Crore.
In addition to Klaasen, they have retained captain Pat Cummins (18 Cr), Abhishek Sharma (14 Cr), Travis Head (14 Cr), and Nitish Reddy (6 Cr). Since all retained players are capped, SRH can only use their RTM card on an uncapped player.
CSK Retentions: Chennai Super Kings Retains Five Key Players
Chennai Super Kings have confirmed the retention of five players, including MS Dhoni, who recently announced his participation in the IPL after months of speculation. Alongside Dhoni (4 Cr), the franchise has retained Ruturaj Gaikwad (18 Cr), Ravindra Jadeja (18 Cr), Shivam Dube (12 Cr), and Matheesha Pathirana (13 Cr).
With Dhoni qualifying as an uncapped retention under the BCCI’s new rules, CSK will be able to use their Right to Match (RTM) card for a capped player during the auction.
RR Retentions: Rajasthan Royals Opt Not to Retain Jos Buttler
In a surprising decision, Rajasthan Royals have chosen not to retain Jos Buttler. The England white-ball captain has been sidelined since June due to a calf injury and is now available for any interested franchise. The Royals will not have any Right to Match (RTM) cards at the auction, having already secured six retentions: Sanju Samson (18 Cr), Yashasvi Jaiswal (18 Cr), Riyan Parag (14 Cr), Dhruv Jurel (14 Cr), Shimron Hetmyer (11 Cr), and Sandeep Sharma (4 Cr), who, like Dhoni, qualifies as an uncapped player.
Along with Buttler, other key players such as Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, and R Ashwin may attract significant interest at the auction, possibly even from RR themselves.
GT Retentions: Rashid Khan Bag Big Money from Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans have retained five players, including two uncapped selections: Rahul Tewatia (4 Cr) and Shahrukh Khan (4 Cr).
In addition to the notable retentions of Rashid Khan (18 Cr) and Shubman Gill (16.5 Cr), GT has shown confidence in the talented top-order batter Sai Sudharsan (8.5 Cr), who scored 527 runs in IPL 2024 at an impressive strike rate of 141.29.
MI Retentions: Jasprit Bumrah Lead Retentions for Mumbai Indians
Despite finishing at the bottom of the table in IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians had plenty of options for their retentions.
They opted to keep five players: Jasprit Bumrah (18 Cr), Hardik Pandya (16.35 Cr), Suryakumar Yadav (16.35 Cr), Rohit Sharma (16.30 Cr), and Tilak Varma (8 Cr). Like Sunrisers Hyderabad, MI will enter the auction with one Right to Match (RTM) card, which can only be used on an uncapped player.
RCB Retentions: Virat Kohli Retained for INR 21 Crore by Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have opted not to retain their captain for the last three seasons, Faf du Plessis, and have also released experienced fast bowler Mohammed Siraj.
Instead, they have retained uncapped left-armer Yash Dayal (5 Cr), Rajat Patidar (11 Cr), and superstar Virat Kohli, who has been retained at a hefty price of INR 21 crore. Cameron Green, acquired for 17 crore from Mumbai Indians last year, was not included in the retention talks due to a lengthy absence following recent surgery for a lower back fracture.
PBKS Retentions: Punjab Kings Retains Two Uncapped Stars
Punjab Kings will head into the auction with a substantial budget and four Right to Match (RTM) cards, having retained only two uncapped players: Shashank Singh (5.5 Cr) and Prabhsimran Singh (4 Cr).
When is IPL 2025 Mega Auction?
The exact date for the IPL 2025 Mega Auction hasn’t been officially announced yet. However, it’s expected to take place towards the end of November 2024.
