Table of Contents
Introduction
With the IPL retention list 2025 deadline approaching, franchises are gearing up to finalize their retained players and make strategic use of retention rules and Right to Match (RTM) cards. This year’s retention rules allow teams flexibility, including no restrictions on the number of Indian or overseas players retained. Teams must finalize their list of retained players by October 31, setting the stage for a competitive season with modified retention policies, revised auction purses, and dynamic salary caps.
IPL Retention Rules and the 2025 Retention List
The IPL retention rules for 2025 bring some significant changes. Notably, teams can now retain up to five capped players without any restriction based on nationality. This allows a franchise’s five retentions to be composed of all Indian, all overseas, or a mix, providing flexibility in building a well-rounded team.
Additionally, KL Rahul is reportedly entering the auction, leaving Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to focus on strengthening their lineup with new talent.
IPL 2025 Retention: Players Retained and Released
| Franchise | Retained Players | Released Players |
| Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni, Matheesha Pathirana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube | Ajay Mandal, Ajinkya Rahane, Deepak Chahar, Devon Conway*, Maheesh Theekshana*, Mitchell Santner*, Moeen Ali*, Mukesh Choudhary, etc. |
| Delhi Capitals | Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel | Anrich Nortje, David Warner (retired), Ishant Sharma, Lalit Yadav, Mitchell Marsh, Mukesh Kumar, Pravin Dubey, Prithvi Shaw, etc. |
| Gujarat Titans | Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan | BR Sharath, Abhinav Manohar, Sandeep Warrier, Gurnoor Brar, David Miller, Joshua Little, Kane Williamson, Mohammad Shami, etc. |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana | Shreyas Iyer, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Nitish Rana, Sherfane Rutherford, Phil Salt, KS Bharat, Manish Pandey, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, etc. |
| Lucknow Super Giants | Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni | KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Quinton de Kock, Ashton Turner, Deepak Hooda, Krishnappa Gowtham, Krunal Pandya, Kyle Mayers, etc. |
| Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah | Dewald Brevis, Ishan Kishan, Harvik Desai, Tim David, Vishnu Vinod, Arjun Tendulkar, Mohammad Nabi, Romario Shepherd, etc. |
| Punjab Kings | Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh | Shikhar Dhawan (retired), Jitesh Sharma, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Harpreet Bhatia, Rilee Rossouw, Chris Woakes, etc. |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal | Faf du Plessis, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik (retired), Suyash S Prabhudessai, Will Jacks, Saurav Chauhan, Glenn Maxwell, etc. |
| Rajasthan Royals | Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel | Jos Buttler, Kunal Rathore, Donovan Ferreira, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Ravichandran Ashwin, etc. |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Nitish Kumar Reddy | Abdul Samad, Aiden Markram, Rahul Tripathi, Glenn Phillips, Mayank Agarwal, Anmolpreet Singh, Upendra Singh Yadav, Marco Jansen, etc. |
Key Highlights of IPL Retention Rules
- Uncapped Player Rules: This year, players who haven’t represented India in the last five years or have retired from international cricket can be classified as “uncapped.” This modification enables Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player, saving the team significant budget, given that uncapped players carry a salary cap of INR 4 crore.
- RTM Cards and Flexibility: Teams can use a combination of outright retentions and RTM cards to hold onto up to six players. The RTM card lets teams match the highest bid for a previously retained player, potentially gaining an advantage if the player receives high bids. If a franchise opts out of retaining any players, it receives six RTM cards to use during the auction, maximizing flexibility.
Modifications to RTM Card Rules
The 2025 season’s modified RTM rule will impact franchise bidding strategies. Here’s how it works: If a team like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) wants to retain Venkatesh Iyer and another team, say Mumbai Indians (MI), makes the highest bid, KKR can use the RTM card to match the bid. MI then has a one-time option to raise its bid, prompting KKR to either match this new bid or let the player go. This change adds a strategic layer, making it crucial for teams to consider RTM usage carefully.
Highest Batting Average in IPL
Revised Salary Caps and Auction Purses
The 2025 IPL retention list rules require franchises to adhere to salary caps based on player rankings. The first three retentions are capped at INR 18 crore, INR 14 crore, and INR 11 crore, while the fourth and fifth retained players cost INR 18 crore and INR 14 crore, respectively. This system demands careful budget allocation, as retaining five capped players consumes INR 75 crore, almost two-thirds of the auction purse of INR 120 crore, forcing teams to make calculated decisions about balancing talent and budget.
Retention Deadline and Finalized Retention List
Deadline: October 31, 2024, is the final date for teams to declare retained players. This timeline ensures all teams have ample time to strategize and adjust based on competitors’ retention decisions.
Auction Purse and Budget Allocation
The 2025 auction purse has increased to INR 120 crore, up from INR 100 crore in 2024. This purse increment helps franchises bid competitively for top talent without being severely restricted by budget caps. However, teams choosing to retain five players must plan carefully since retaining players comes at a higher budgetary cost than in previous seasons.
Strategic Decisions and Retention Choices
Teams must balance the benefits of retaining a player with the potential risks of losing them to auction. For example, by releasing a player and using an RTM card, franchises can enter a bidding war that may push costs beyond initial budgets. Franchises like Chennai Super Kings are reportedly in discussions with Dhoni regarding his retention, while KL Rahul appears set for the auction pool.
Teams opting for minimal retention may attempt to rebuild through the auction, hoping to secure both emerging and proven talent, especially if they choose to use their RTM cards for cost-effective bids. For franchises like Delhi Capitals with two RTM cards, prioritizing core players will be essential.
Two-Year Ban for Overseas Players Opting Out
In a notable rule aimed at minimizing player absences, overseas players withdrawing without valid reasons may face a two-year IPL ban. This rule, backed by all franchises, aims to ensure players fulfill their commitments to the league. Overseas players registering for the auction must be prepared to honor these commitments or face consequences, underscoring the league’s priority on reliability.
Conclusion
The IPL retention list 2025 rules bring flexibility and strategy to the forefront, requiring teams to weigh their options carefully in balancing roster stability and budget. With expanded RTM options, revised retention slabs, and uncapped player rules, franchises are set to make strategic moves that will impact the season. As franchises finalize their retention lists, this year’s rules ensure a compelling IPL season lies ahead, with line-ups shaped by strategic planning and calculated bidding.
FAQs
What is the maximum number of players a team can retain on the IPL retention list 2025?
Teams can retain up to five players, with a combination of Indian or overseas capped players, and may use RTM cards to match bids on released players.
Will the RTM card be available for all players?
Yes, teams may use RTM cards on any released player, but bidding may be raised by competing franchises, adding a layer of strategy.
What is the deadline for finalizing the IPL retention list 2025?
October 31, 2024, is the last day for franchises to declare their retained players ahead of the mega auction.
