In a stunning twist ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction, Delhi Capitals (DC) parted ways with their swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, setting the stage for him to become the most coveted player in the upcoming auction in November end.
Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen has emerged as the highest-paid retained player, securing an eye-watering Rs 23 crore, surpassing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) icon Virat Kohli, who was retained at Rs 21 crore.
Adding to the seismic shifts, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have released their captain Shreyas Iyer, marking a new chapter as franchises submit their finalised retention lists.
With the suspense now over, the auction pool has officially expanded, fuelling the anticipation of who will emerge as the top bids. Each team held a combined purse of Rs 120 crore for retention and the auction, with the freedom to retain up to six players either before the deadline or through strategic Right-to-Match (RTM) cards during the auction.
In a bold move, franchises also had the option to release their entire roster, entering the mega auction armed with six RTM cards, giving them the power to reclaim players at any price. The IPL 2025 auction promises fierce bidding wars and the reshaping of franchises as the league's most sought-after players await their new teams.
Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant: The Strategic Departures
In a move blending shock and strategy, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant have elected to part ways with Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals, respectively. This strategic decision not only places them in the auction pool but signals a dramatic turn for franchises on the lookout for potential captains to infuse their squads with energy and leadership.
Rishabh Pant Exits DC, Becomes the Hottest Auction Prospect
Rishabh Pant, Delhi Capitals’ dynamic keeper-batter, has left his long-standing team following management changes within the GMR-owned franchise. With Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhishek Porel, and Tristan Stubbs forming DC’s core, Pant’s release marks both the end of an era and the rise of a new DC vision, making him one of the auction’s most sought-after players.
MS Dhoni's gift to his fans
It is now confirmed: the 43-year-old MS Dhoni will indeed continue his storied journey on the field. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be able to retain their iconic captain and five-time IPL champion for a modest sum of Rs 4 crore. This comes thanks to the reinstatement of a rule allowing Indian players, who have neither played international cricket in the past five years nor hold a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) central contract, to be classified under a specific retention category.
SRH's core is sorted
Sunrisers Hyderabad, the runners-up of IPL 2024, have finalised their five retentions for the upcoming season. Having previously secured deals with Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, and Abhishek Sharma, SRH has now added Travis Head and Nitish Reddy to complete their core roster.
 "IPL 2025 Retention Highlights: Pant in auction pool; Klaasen gets Rs 23 cr; Kohli's salary Rs 21 cr")
