IPL Retention 2025 Trends: Five Franchises Lose Captains as Indians Dominate the List and Spinners Go Missing
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a hotbed of excitement and anticipation, and the 2025 season is no different. With the final retention lists submitted, the focus is now shifting to the upcoming mega auction. However, before we dive into the auction, let’s take a closer look at the key trends that emerged from the IPL 2025 retentions.
Half of the Teams Release Their Captains
One of the most striking observations from the retentions is that five IPL teams have released their captains. Stability in leadership is often considered crucial for a team’s success, but the released players’ list indicates that half of the franchises were not satisfied with their captains. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have also released their captain Shreyas Iyer, which could be due to salary demands, but he will be available in the auction.
Other captains released include Rishabh Pant from Delhi Capitals (DC), KL Rahul from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Faf du Plessis from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Sam Curran from Punjab Kings (PBKS). This means players with captaincy experience like Shreyas Iyer or Jos Buttler could fetch big bids in the auction.
No One Loves Spinners
Spinners have always been at the forefront in the IPL, helping teams win matches and trophies. However, only three specialist spinners – Kuldeep Yadav (DC), Ravi Bishnoi (LSG), and Varun Chakravarthy (KKR) – have been retained this time. The overall retention list also includes a few spin-bowling all-rounders – Ravindra Jadeja, Rashid Khan, Axar Patel, and Sunil Narine. Yuzvendra Chahal, the all-time highest wicket-taker in IPL history with 205 wickets, was not retained by Rajasthan Royals (RR).
Indian Players and Batters Lead the Retention List
Overall, 46 players have been retained by the 10 IPL teams, with only KKR and RR completing their full quota of six players. PBKS retained the least, just two players, and was the only side to retain just uncapped players. 36 out of 46 retained players are Indians, which doesn’t come as a surprise considering IPL teams always prioritize building an Indian core.
Mumbai Indians (MI), RCB, and PBKS have not retained a single foreign player, while other teams have retained at least one. Just as spinners were not among the preferred retentions, bowlers also fell behind batters in the selection process. Out of 46 players retained, 28 are pure batters, along with seven all-rounders and 11 bowlers. LSG were the only team that invested heavily in specialist bowlers, retaining Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, and Mohsin Khan.
The Mega Auction: What to Expect?
With the retention lists now finalised, the attention is turning to the mega auction. Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will enter the auction with the biggest purses of Rs 110.5 crore and Rs 83 crore respectively. The auction will be a crucial opportunity for teams to rebuild and strengthen their squads for the upcoming season.
Key Players to Watch
Several high-profile players will be available in the auction, including Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Faf du Plessis. These players, with their experience and leadership qualities, are likely to attract significant bids. Additionally, spinners like Yuzvendra Chahal and experienced all-rounders will be in demand as teams look to balance their squads.
The Impact of Retention Trends
The retention trends for IPL 2025 highlight the evolving strategies of franchises as they aim to build competitive and balanced teams. The focus on Indian players and batters reflects the importance of having a strong core of domestic talent. However, the lack of retained spinners and the release of several captains indicate a potential shift in team dynamics and leadership structures.
Remerk
The IPL 2025 retention trends have set the stage for an exciting and competitive season ahead. With half of the teams releasing their captains and a strong emphasis on Indian players, the mega auction will be a crucial event for franchises to reshape their squads. As fans eagerly await the auction, the anticipation and excitement continue to build, promising another thrilling season of cricket.
