IPL 2025 Retention Lists Major Surprises as Franchises Trim Their Squads

As the excitement builds for IPL 2025, franchises have revealed their retention lists, leading to several surprising omissions of star players. Teams are making bold decisions as they prepare for the upcoming season.Franchises Make Tough Calls on Key Players

Mumbai Indians Retention

The Mumbai Indians have retained a strong core, including Jasprit Bumrah (₹18 crores), Suryakumar Yadav (₹16.35 crores), Hardik Pandya (₹16.35 crores), and Rohit Sharma (₹16.35 crores). However, the franchise has made the shocking decision not to retain wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, who played a crucial role in previous seasons.

Chennai Super Kings Retention

Chennai Super Kings has retained their star players, including Ruturaj Gaikwad (₹18 crores) and Ravindra Jadeja (₹18 crores). However, they have not retained key players like Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, and Sameer Rizvi, alongside Ajinkya Rahane.

Kolkata Knight Riders Retention

Kolkata Knight Riders have opted to retain Rinku Singh (₹13 crores) and Varun Chakravarthy (₹12 crores), among others. Notably absent from the list is captain Shreyas Iyer, who led the team to a title last season.

Gujarat Titans Retention

Gujarat Titans have retained star players Rashid Khan (₹18 crores) and Shubman Gill (₹16.5 crores), but the absence of Mohammed Shami, who missed last season due to injury, raises eyebrows.

Rajasthan Royals Retention

Rajasthan Royals have retained the promising duo of Sanju Samson (₹18 crores) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (₹18 crores). However, they have decided to let go of fast bowler Avesh Khan.

Punjab Kings Retention

The Punjab Kings have made a significant overhaul, retaining only Shashank Singh (₹5.5 crores) and Prabhsimran Singh (₹4 crores). Star players like Kagiso Rabada and Sam Curran are now set to enter the mega auction.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Retention

Sunrisers Hyderabad have retained several key players, including Pat Cummins (₹18 crores) and Heinrich Klaasen (₹23 crores). However, Umran Malik and Abdul Samad are notably absent from the retention list.

Lucknow Super Giants Retention

Lucknow Super Giants have retained Nicholas Pooran (₹21 crores) and Ravi Bishnoi (₹11 crores). However, they have made the surprising decision not to retain captain KL Rahul, who led the team since 2022.

Delhi Capitals Retention

Delhi Capitals have retained Axar Patel (₹16.5 crores) and Kuldeep Yadav (₹13.25 crores). However, the absence of Rishabh Pant, a mainstay since 2016, marks a significant change for the team.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Retention

RCB has retained star batsman Virat Kohli (₹21 crores) and promising players like Rajat Patidar (₹11 crores) and Yash Dayal (₹5 crores). The franchise has chosen not to retain Faf du Plessis, Mohammed Siraj, and Glenn Maxwell, leading to speculation that Kohli might reclaim the captaincy after stepping down in 2022.

A New Era Begins

The retention lists have set the stage for an intense mega auction as franchises seek to rebuild and strengthen their squads. With many star players now available, IPL 2025 promises to be an exhilarating season filled with surprises and fierce competition.