With the IPL committee unveiling the much-anticipated retention rules for the 2025 mega auction, speculation is rife on who each team will hold on to. Love them or hate them, the retention rules are a masterstroke, carefully designed to maintain the competitive balance without diluting the excitement of the auction.

So, who will make the cut? Let’s dive into the potential retention strategies for each team ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction.

Mumbai Indians (MI)

Mumbai Indians are likely to be among the few teams to use their full quota of retentions. With multiple players commanding the maximum 18 crore INR bracket, MI could retain their superstar trio: Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and potentially, the return of Hardik Pandya. Another solid choice is the rising star Tilak Varma, whose performances could secure him the 11 crore INR slot. Don’t rule out a surprise with MI possibly retaining an uncapped player like Nehal Wadhera or even the experienced Piyush Chawla, who qualifies as uncapped.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

For all those waiting with bated breath to see if MS Dhoni will return for another IPL season, the retention rules might have provided some hope. Dhoni is all but certain to be retained as an uncapped player, having retired from international cricket over five years ago. The leading retention for CSK, though, is likely to be Ruturaj Gaikwad, who could command a hefty 18 crore INR. Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja are also prime contenders for the 14 crore INR bracket, while one of the most exciting young bowlers in the game, Matheesha Pathirana, could easily secure an 11 crore INR slot.

Gujarat Titans (GT)

The Gujarat Titans, reigning IPL champions, have a wealth of talent to choose from. Shubman Gill, with his class and leadership potential, and Rashid Khan, the world’s best leg-spinner, are near-certainties for retention at the 18 crore INR mark. Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami could slot in at 14 crore INR, while the highly promising Sai Sudharsan might take the 11 crore INR retention. As for their final retention, the Titans may choose to forgo it in favor of using the RTM (Right to Match) card during the auction.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

The Kolkata Knight Riders are also expected to retain five players. Despite an underwhelming IPL 2024, Shreyas Iyer remains one of the top batters and leads the side, making him a likely retention. Explosive all-rounders Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are also favorites to be retained. Fan-favorite Rinku Singh is an obvious choice for the 11 or 14 crore INR bracket, while Varun Chakravarthy could complete the retention list. A potential wildcard for KKR could be uncapped bowler Harshit Rana, who has impressed with his pace.

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

Punjab Kings face a slightly tricky situation. They lack a clear candidate for the 18 crore INR valuation, although Sam Curran could be a long shot if the franchise opts to splurge. Arshdeep Singh and Prabhsimran Singh are two players Punjab will want to secure, given their consistent performances. With a need for strong retentions, PBKS might look to keep these young talents to build a more stable core for the future.

With the IPL 2025 mega auction approaching, each team must carefully strategize its retentions. Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Punjab Kings all face critical decisions that will shape their future. Whether it's retaining legends like MS Dhoni or banking on young talent like Tilak Varma and Sai Sudharsan, the retention choices will significantly influence their chances in the next season.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll look at other IPL teams and their possible retentions!

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