As the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams participate in crucial assignments, the cricket fraternity is also keeping an eye on the Indian Premier League (IPL), especially since the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the retention rules for the 2025 season. All 10 teams are required to announce their retained players by October 31. A significant overhaul is expected, with a mega auction likely in November, projected to be the largest in IPL history as several top players may be available.
After months of debate, BCCI revealed last month that each team can retain a maximum of six players, including at least one and up to two uncapped players. There is no limit on the number of Indian or overseas players retained. Teams can use the Right to Match (RTM) card in the IPL auction to retain players, with the retention price set at Rs. 18 crore (Slot 1 or 4), Rs. 14 crore (Slot 2 or 5), and Rs. 11 crore, while uncapped players can be retained for Rs. 4 crore. Any Indian player who has not represented the national team in the past five years is considered uncapped.
IPL 2025 Predicted Retentions for All 10 Teams:
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
The reintroduction of the uncapped player rule allows CSK to retain MS Dhoni at a lower price, likely at Rs. 4 crore. However, this represents a significant 66% pay cut from his previous Rs. 12 crore salary. Other probable retentions include Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Matheesha Pathirana, and Ravindra Jadeja.
- Slot 1 (Rs. 18 crore) – Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Slot 2 (Rs. 14 crore) – Shivam Dube
- Slot 3 (Rs. 11 crore) – Matheesha Pathirana
- Uncapped (Rs. 4 crore) – MS Dhoni
- Slot 4 (Rs. 18 crore) – Ravindra Jadeja
- RTMs Left: 1
Mumbai Indians (MI):
Mumbai Indians, boasting a strong Indian core, may face challenges retaining all four key players—Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav—due to their captaincy ambitions. However, the franchise is unlikely to release any of them. Young talents Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera are also expected to stay.
- Slot 1 (Rs. 18 crore) – Hardik Pandya
- Slot 2 (Rs. 14 crore) – Rohit Sharma
- Slot 3 (Rs. 11 crore) – Tilak Varma
- Slot 4 (Rs. 18 crore) – Jasprit Bumrah
- Slot 5 (Rs. 14 crore) – Suryakumar Yadav
- Uncapped (Rs. 4 crore) – Nehal Wadhera
- RTMs Left: 0
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):
KKR’s dominant run to the 2024 title means retaining players like Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shreyas Iyer, and Rinku Singh. Rising star Harshit Rana may also stay on despite potentially earning his India cap.
- Slot 1 (Rs. 18 crore) – Andre Russell
- Slot 2 (Rs. 14 crore) – Shreyas Iyer
- Slot 3 (Rs. 11 crore or Uncapped Rs. 4 crore) – Harshit Rana
- Slot 4 (Rs. 18 crore) – Sunil Narine
- Slot 5 (Rs. 14 crore) – Rinku Singh
- RTMs Left: 0
Rajasthan Royals (RR):
Despite not winning a title since 2008, RR remains a strong and consistent squad. They will likely retain key players like Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, and rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal. Uncapped pacer Sandeep Sharma might also stay.
- Slot 1 (Rs. 18 crore) – Sanju Samson
- Slot 2 (Rs. 14 crore) – Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Slot 3 (Rs. 11 crore) – Riyan Parag
- Slot 4 (Rs. 18 crore) – Jos Buttler
- Uncapped (Rs. 4 crore) – Sandeep Sharma
- RTMs Left: 1
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):
After an exciting 2024 season, SRH will aim to retain key players like Pat Cummins, Henrick Klaasen, Travis Head, and Abhishek Sharma, with Nitish Kumar Reddy a promising retention.
- Slot 1 (Rs. 18 crore) – Pat Cummins
- Slot 2 (Rs. 14 crore) – Abhishek Sharma
- Slot 3 (Rs. 11 crore) – Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Slot 4 (Rs. 18 crore) – Travis Head
- Slot 5 (Rs. 14 crore) – Henrick Klaasen
- RTMs Left: 1 (Uncapped)
Gujarat Titans (GT):
GT’s straightforward retention choices include Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan, with uncapped players Rahul Tewatia and Mohit Sharma, alongside David Miller.
- Slot 1 (Rs. 18 crore) – Shubman Gill
- Uncapped (Rs. 4 crore) – Rahul Tewatia
- Slot 3 (Rs. 11 crore) – David Miller
- Slot 4 (Rs. 18 crore) – Rashid Khan
- Uncapped (Rs. 4 crore) – Mohit Sharma
- RTMs Left: 1
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB):
RCB is set to retain Virat Kohli, who has been with the franchise throughout all 17 seasons. Mohammed Siraj and Rajat Patidar are also expected to stay.
- Slot 1 (Rs. 18 crore) – Virat Kohli
- Slot 2 (Rs. 14 crore) – Mohammed Siraj
- Slot 3 (Rs. 11 crore) – Rajat Patidar
- RTMs Left: 3
Delhi Capitals (DC):
Post-Ricky Ponting, DC’s retentions will likely include Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, with Tristan Stubbs and Jake Fraser McGurk possible RTM targets.
- Slot 1 (Rs. 18 crore) – Rishabh Pant
- Slot 2 (Rs. 14 crore) – Axar Patel
- Slot 3 (Rs. 11 crore) – Kuldeep Yadav
- RTMs Left: 3
Punjab Kings (PBKS):
PBKS is set for a major squad revamp under Ricky Ponting, with only Arshdeep Singh likely to be retained.
- Slot 1 (Rs. 18 crore) – Arshdeep Singh
- RTMs Left: 5
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG):
LSG is unlikely to retain KL Rahul due to his underwhelming performances. Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, and Mayank Yadav, along with uncapped Ayush Badoni, are expected retentions.
- Slot 1 (Rs. 18 crore) – Nicholas Pooran
- Slot 2 (Rs. 14 crore) – Ravi Bishnoi
- Slot 3 (Rs. 11 crore) – Mayank Yadav
- Uncapped (Rs. 4 crore) – Ayush Badoni
- RTMs Left: 2