With the IPL 2025 season just around the corner, the excitement surrounding team compositions has reached a fever pitch. On November 1, 2024, the IPL 2025 retained players list was officially unveiled, giving fans and analysts their first real glimpse into the direction each franchise is taking ahead of the mega auction. This year’s retention process saw all 10 franchises finalize their core squads, confirming the players who will return to represent their teams in the upcoming season.
A total of 46 players have been retained, with teams investing an impressive INR 558.5 crore to lock in their stars. The IPL, known for its fast-paced cricket and massive global fanbase, is gearing up for yet another thrilling season, and these retained players will form the backbone of each team’s campaign.
Understanding the IPL 2025 Retained Players Process
In the 2025 season, each IPL franchise was allowed to retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped internationals and two uncapped Indian players. This retention window has provided teams with the chance to solidify their squads by keeping their key performers, offering a mix of stability and flexibility ahead of the mega auction, where they can fill in the remaining gaps.
Given the large purse of INR 120 crore for each team at the auction, the retention process allowed franchises to allocate resources wisely, ensuring they have a strong core before heading into the auction wars.
Franchise-wise Retained Players List
Let’s break down the IPL team 2025 players list by franchise and see who made the cut:
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Shivam Dube
- Ravindra Jadeja
- MS Dhoni
CSK, under the leadership of MS Dhoni, has retained a blend of experience and youth. The presence of players like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja strengthens the team’s core, while the legendary Dhoni will continue to captain the side in what could be one of his final seasons.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Tristan Stubbs
- Abhishek Porel
Delhi Capitals have retained a mix of Indian and international talent. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will continue to provide valuable spinning options, while Tristan Stubbs and Abhishek Porel offer young blood and fresh energy.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Rashid Khan
- Shubman Gill
- Sai Sudharsan
- Rahul Tewatia
- Shahrukh Khan
Defending champions Gujarat Titans have retained their key performers, with Rashid Khan leading the spin department and Shubman Gill anchoring the batting. The team will look to build around these stars as they aim for back-to-back titles.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Rinku Singh
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Sunil Narine
- Andre Russell
- Harshit Rana
- Ramandeep Singh
Kolkata Knight Riders have retained their core all-rounders and match-winners, including the explosive Andre Russell and experienced spinner Sunil Narine. With this solid foundation, they will look to challenge for the title in 2025.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Nicholas Pooran
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Mayank Yadav
- Mohsin Khan
- Ayush Badoni
Lucknow Super Giants have retained key players in both the batting and bowling departments. Nicholas Pooran brings firepower to the middle order, while Ravi Bishnoi is a valuable asset with the ball.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Hardik Pandya
- Rohit Sharma
- Tilak Varma
Mumbai Indians have retained their big names, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the bowling attack and Rohit Sharma continuing to lead the franchise. The all-round prowess of Hardik Pandya and the brilliance of Suryakumar Yadav give MI a formidable core.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Shashank Singh
- Prabhsimran Singh
With just two players retained, Punjab Kings have opted for a strategy that leaves them with a massive budget for the IPL 2025 mega auction. PBKS will look to fill the remaining gaps and build a more balanced squad in the auction.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Sanju Samson
- Yashaswi Jaiswal
- Riyan Parag
- Dhruv Jurel
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Sandeep Sharma
Rajasthan Royals have gone for continuity, retaining several key figures like Sanju Samson and Yashaswi Jaiswal. With a potent mix of batting and bowling, RR will be one of the teams to watch in 2025.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
- Virat Kohli
- Rajat Patidar
- Yash Dayal
RCB has retained its superstar captain, Virat Kohli, along with Rajat Patidar and young talent Yash Dayal. The franchise will be looking to complete their squad with some exciting buys at the auction.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
- Pat Cummins
- Abhishek Sharma
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Travis Head
Sunrisers Hyderabad have kept a strong core, especially in their batting department with players like Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen. Pat Cummins will lead the attack with his pace, making SRH a competitive unit.
Available Purse and Auction Strategy
With the IPL 2025 mega auction looming, each franchise has a different approach in terms of available purse and available slots. Some teams, like Punjab Kings, have a huge purse to spend, while others have strategically retained their players to save money for specific needs.
For example, PBKS has INR 110.5 crore remaining, the largest available purse, while CSK has a more modest INR 55 crore left to complete their squad.
The Road Ahead: IPL 2025 Mega Auction
As the IPL 2025 approaches, the mega auction will play a pivotal role in shaping the final squads. With several big names up for grabs, the bidding war is set to be intense. Teams like PBKS, with a massive purse, will likely make some bold moves, while others will aim to fine-tune their squads by filling specific gaps.
Check Also:- Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Strategy with Rs 45 Cr Budget
The retention window may have closed, but the excitement is far from over. As franchises look to build their final squads, IPL fans can expect another thrilling season of action, drama, and surprises.
Conclusion: IPL 2025 Is Set for an Exciting Season
With the IPL 2025 retained players list now confirmed, the stage is set for what promises to be an electrifying season. From defending champions to fan favorites, every team has laid the foundation for their title challenge. The upcoming mega auction will be the final piece in the puzzle, and with fresh talent set to join the fray, the road to IPL glory in 2025 is wide open.