NEW DELHI: The IPL 2025 retention list has brought exciting updates as teams prepare for the next season with revamped strategies. While the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) stayed true to their legacy by retaining Virat Kohli for an unprecedented 17th season, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) placed their trust in Pat Cummins, anchoring their squad around foreign stars. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have made bold moves by building their team around Nicholas Pooran, and Gujarat Titans (GT) have reaffirmed their belief in Shubman Gill as their long-term leader.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
The Royal Challengers Bangalore have retained only three players. Unsurprisingly, the list starts with Virat Kohli (โน21 crore), marking his 17th consecutive season with the franchise. Kohliโs loyalty beautifully showcases his deep connection to the team. The next retained player is middle-order batter Rajat Patidar (โน11 crore), whose exceptional performance last season earned him the title of โSpin Demolisherโ for his dominance against spin bowling. Yash Dayal (โน5 crore), the only uncapped Indian player retained, is the sole bowling option among the retained players.
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With three Right-to-Match (RTM) options available, the Royal Challengers are likely to target key players like Mohammed Siraj and Will Jacks, who were integral to the teamโs late resurgence last season. Itโs speculated they were released to be reacquired at a lower price during the auction.
Following the exclusion of former captain Faf du Plessis from the retained players list, the team is now searching for a new captain. Rumours suggest KL Rahul may join as the new captain, given his prior association with the franchise and recent departure from Lucknow.
Gujarat Titans
After two successful initial seasons, the Gujarat Titans faced their first underwhelming campaign last year. The franchise has retained faith in Shubman Gill (โน16.5 crore), naming him captain for the long term. Afghan mystery spinner Rashid Khan (โน18 crore) was the first retention, followed by Gill and Sai Sudharsan (โน8 crore). Spin-bowling all-rounder Rahul Tewatia (โน4 crore) and lower-order batter Shahrukh Khan (โน4 crore) were the two uncapped players retained.
With one RTM card remaining, the Titans may look to reacquire either Afghanistanโs Noor Ahmed or Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, both of whom were pivotal to their early successes. Strengthening their middle-order batting remains a priority, particularly at positions three and four. Meanwhile, they will also seek foreign fast bowlers to complement Rashid Khan in the bowling department.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad, whose batting line-up dominated opponents last season, have retained their core group of foreign players despite missing out on the title. Benefiting from the new rule permitting unlimited overseas retentions, the franchise retained Pat Cummins (โน18 crore), Heinrich Klaasen (โน23 crore), and Travis Head (โน14 crore).
Among Indian players, the team retained opening batter Abhishek Sharma (โน14 crore) and fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy (โน6 crore). While the strategy of heavily relying on marquee overseas players has faltered in the past, the franchise appears confident under Pat Cumminsโ captaincy.
With one RTM card available for an uncapped player, it is unlikely the Sunrisers can retain other key contributors from last season. They are expected to revamp their bowling department by acquiring Indian pacers and spinners. Improving the number three batting position will also be critical, with potential options including Venkatesh Iyer, Yash Dhull, or KL Rahul.
Lucknow Super Giants
The Lucknow Super Giants have retained West Indies middle-order batter Nicholas Pooran (โน21 crore) at a staggering price. With KL Rahul not retained, Pooran is likely a captaincy candidate for the upcoming season. Additionally, the franchise retained Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (โน11 crore) and pacer Mayank Yadav (โน11 crore), strengthening their bowling lineup. They also retained Mohsin Khan (โน4 crore) and lower-order batter Aayush Badoni (โน4 crore) as their two uncapped players.
With one RTM option available, the Super Giants are expected to target South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock or Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. At the auction, the team will likely focus on bolstering their lower-order batting and spin department, with players like Mitchell Starc, Washington Sundar, and Yash Dhull being strong prospects.
With the retention announcements setting the tone for the IPL 2025 auction, franchises are ready to address their weaknesses and strengthen their squads. Teams like Gujarat Titans aim to rebuild their middle-order, while others, like RCB and LSG, focus on retaining a core that aligns with their vision. As the auction approaches, fans eagerly await more surprises and bold moves that promise another thrilling IPL season.
