As the excitement builds for the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), cricket fans around the world eagerly await the upcoming season, which promises thrilling matches, intense rivalries, and the display of incredible talent. One of the most anticipated aspects of the IPL is the player retention process, where franchises finalize their squads ahead of the auction. In this article, we delve into the full list of players retained by each of the eight franchises for IPL 2025.
Overview of IPL 2025
The IPL, known for its glamorous mix of cricket and entertainment, continues to attract top players from across the globe. The retention of players is crucial for teams as it lays the foundation for their strategies and compositions for the upcoming season. The retention policy allows franchises to secure key players while also providing room for new talent through auctions.
Franchises and Their Retentions
1. Mumbai Indians (MI)
The Mumbai Indians, one of the most successful franchises in IPL history, have chosen to retain a strong core of players. Their strategy focuses on maintaining the winning culture that has led them to multiple titles.
Retained Players:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Ishan Kishan
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Kieron Pollard
- Tim David
The retention of Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah solidifies their leadership and bowling attack, essential for their title aspirations.
2. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
CSK has been known for its stability and experience. As they look to bounce back after a challenging season, they have retained several seasoned players who embody the team’s spirit.
Retained Players:
- MS Dhoni (C)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Deepak Chahar
- Devon Conway
- Dwayne Bravo
- Matheesha Pathirana
The inclusion of MS Dhoni indicates the franchise’s commitment to keeping its legacy alive, while Jadeja’s all-round abilities remain invaluable.
3. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Despite their quest for a maiden title, RCB retains a mix of explosive batsmen and skilled bowlers. Their retention strategy focuses on building a balanced squad.
Retained Players:
- Virat Kohli
- Faf du Plessis (C)
- Glenn Maxwell
- Mohammed Siraj
- Harshal Patel
- Wanindu Hasaranga
The leadership of Faf du Plessis combined with Virat Kohli’s batting prowess makes RCB a formidable team.
4. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
KKR’s approach to retention is built around nurturing young talent alongside experienced players. Their mix of explosive batting and strategic bowling aims to make them title contenders once again.
Retained Players:
- Shreyas Iyer (C)
- Andre Russell
- Sunil Narine
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Nitish Rana
- Kuldeep Yadav
With Shreyas Iyer at the helm, KKR aims to revitalize their campaign, leveraging Russell’s all-round capabilities and Narine’s mystery spin.
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
SRH has always been known for their strong bowling unit. In IPL 2025, they have retained players who bring both skill and experience to the squad.
Retained Players:
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Aiden Markram (C)
- Umran Malik
- Rahul Tripathi
- Washington Sundar
- Marco Jansen
Aiden Markram’s leadership will be crucial for SRH as they aim to make a strong comeback.
6. Delhi Capitals (DC)
The Capitals are focusing on a younger core while retaining key players who have shown promise in previous seasons. Their retention strategy indicates a long-term vision.
Retained Players:
- Rishabh Pant (C)
- Prithvi Shaw
- Anrich Nortje
- Axar Patel
- Shardul Thakur
- David Warner
With Rishabh Pant leading the side, DC hopes to blend experience with youthful energy.
7. Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Punjab Kings have made strategic decisions to retain players who can contribute both with the bat and ball. They aim to build a competitive squad that can challenge for the title.
Retained Players:
- Shikhar Dhawan (C)
- Liam Livingstone
- Arshdeep Singh
- Sam Curran
- Kagiso Rabada
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa
The combination of experienced batsmen and a robust bowling lineup positions PBKS as a team to watch in IPL 2025.
8. Gujarat Titans (GT)
As the defending champions, Gujarat Titans are looking to maintain their championship-winning squad while also preparing for new challenges. Their retention strategy focuses on keeping their title-winning nucleus intact.
Retained Players:
- Hardik Pandya (C)
- Rashid Khan
- Shubman Gill
- Mohammed Shami
- David Miller
- Sai Sudharsan
Hardik Pandya’s leadership and all-round capabilities, along with Rashid Khan’s spin wizardry, make GT a formidable force heading into the new season.
Conclusion
The IPL retention player strategy adopted by each franchise sets the stage for an exhilarating IPL 2025. With a mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents, fans can expect fierce competition, high-stakes drama, and breathtaking cricketing moments. As the franchises finalize their squads ahead of the auction, the excitement for the upcoming season continues to build. Each team is poised to make a statement in their quest for the coveted IPL trophy, making IPL 2025 one of the most anticipated tournaments yet.