New Delhi: The retentions lists for 2025 Indian Premier League might not have major names who are synonymous with franchises.
According to the rules of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, team have the option of re-signing a maximum of six players, utilising a combination of outright retentions and the Right To Match (RTM) option.
As number of retentions available are limited, franchises might be forced to let several big names go in into the auction pool despite having been associated with them for long.
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A look at such players who could be drafted into the auction pool for the event.
Rohit Sharma
The India skipper led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles but didn’t take kindly to the team management’s decision of removing him a captain to bring in Hardik Pandya before the last edition.
The move was roundly criticised, with the team struggling on the field and tension between Rohit and Pandya palpably evident.
Mumbai identified Pandya as their long-term captain, which might have hurt Rohit’s sentiments. To keep the dressing room intact, Mumbai might be tempted to release him.
Rishabh Pant
All logic points to Delhi Capitals retaining Rishabh Pant. Not only he is their skipper but he has also stayed with the team since the beginning of his IPL career.
But reports have linked the India keeper-batter to other franchises, leading to much speculation, particularly after five-time winners Chennai Super Kings emerged as the prime candidate to snap him up as a replacement for their legendary skipper MS Dhoni, who is at the fag end of his career.
Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders are also linked to Pant, as they are searching for an Indian captain.
Andre Russell KKR
The West Indian has been a key component of the team since he joined the three-time champions in 2014. The all-rounder scored 222 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 185 in KKR’s title-winning run this year.
He was also the second-highest wicket-taker for the team with 19 wickets alongside pacer Harshit Rana. The KKR think-thank had supported him when he suffered a knee injury before 2021 IPL.
Russell had always expressed gratitude for that support but now it seems the association has run its course with reports saying he is unlikely to be retained.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The out of favour India pacer is reportedly on his way out of Sunrisers Hyderabad after struggling with his form in the last edition.
The right armer scalped only 11 wickets in 16 games last season for his worst performance since 2021 at an economy rate highest since his first appearance in the tournament.
He has also been dropped from Uttar Pradesh’s squad for the ongoing Ranji Trophy season but is a seasoned campaigner with 181 wickets in 176 IPL matches at an average of 27.23.
Prithvi Shaw
The top-order batter has been axed from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad after accumulating 35 per cent body fat, plunging his career in crisis as it isn’t the first time that Shaw has been under scanner because if his fitness.
He was once suspected of doping though he blamed it on consuming a cough syrup. Shaw’s lifestyle and disciplinary issues have also been under scrutiny after getting involved in avoidable squables.
The runs have also dried up, which might lead to Delhi Capitals releasing him after an eight year stint.
