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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is gearing up for a thrilling season, with all ten franchises actively preparing for the upcoming mega auction. The retention phase has concluded, with teams securing their core players, setting the stage for an intense bidding war in the auction. This year's retention process has seen some significant moves, with teams making strategic choices to retain their key players within the allocated budget.
Mumbai Indians, the five-time IPL champions, have retained their core of Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma. Bumrah, who has been appointed the captain for IPL 2025, is now MI's highest-paid retention, reflecting their strong belief in his leadership and bowling abilities. Notably, they have opted to release Ishan Kishan and Tim David, signaling their intent to bolster their squad with new additions at the auction.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have made a bold statement by retaining Heinrich Klaasen for a record INR 23 crore, making him the most expensive player retained in the IPL. This move highlights SRH's faith in Klaasen's potential and their intent to build a strong team around him. SRH's retention strategy has also seen them retain Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, further bolstering their squad for the upcoming season.
The other franchises have also made their choices, with Chennai Super Kings retaining their veteran MS Dhoni along with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, and Ravindra Jadeja. Royal Challengers Bangalore have retained Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal, while Delhi Capitals have retained Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel. Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Titans, and Lucknow Super Giants have also retained their key players, setting the stage for a competitive and unpredictable auction.
The mega auction, scheduled for [Date], promises to be a fierce battle for the most sought-after players. With teams having limited budgets and multiple players available, the auction will be a test of strategy, planning, and bidding prowess. The franchises will aim to assemble their dream teams, building balanced squads with the right mix of experience, talent, and potential, all with the ultimate goal of conquering the IPL trophy in 2025.
Source: IPL 2025 - MI retain their big four; Klaasen retained for INR 23 crore