With the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction fast approaching, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced retention rules, allowing franchises to retain up to six players. These players can be kept either through direct retention or by using the Right-To-Match (RTM) card during the auction.
While teams must be strategic, balancing player retention costs with potential auction purchases, it’s unlikely all franchises will retain the maximum number of players. Below are some potential retention candidates for each team.
Top Candidates for Retention
Chennai Super Kings (CSK): The perennial favourites are expected to retain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Daryl Mitchell, Matheesha Pathirana, and MS Dhoni. Dhoni’s experience and leadership remain vital for CSK’s plans, while Gaikwad and Jadeja continue to be key players.
Mumbai Indians (MI): MI will likely retain their core group, including Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan. A new talent, Anshul Kamboj, could also make the cut, depending on his status before the October 31 deadline.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): RCB is expected to keep Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj, and Glenn Maxwell. Other potential retentions include Will Jacks, Cameron Green, and Yash Dayal, as the team looks to strengthen its all-round capabilities.
Strategic Challenges and New Faces
While these franchises have their strategies largely in place, uncapped players will add another layer of complexity. As per BCCI regulations, players who debut for the national team before October 31 will lose their uncapped status. For instance, Yash Dayal, Sandeep Sharma, and others are on the watchlist as teams finalize their retention lists.
Franchises like Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals will have to weigh these new developments while balancing costs to prepare for a competitive auction.
As the mega auction approaches, teams must carefully evaluate their squad composition. Striking a balance between retaining proven stars and betting on emerging talent will be the key to success in IPL 2025.
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