The IPL 2025 mega auction, held in Jeddah, saw franchises strategize meticulously to build squads that balanced core retentions with new acquisitions. With ₹639.15 crore spent on 182 players and 395 going unsold, the event delivered a blend of continuity and fresh faces for the upcoming season. Here’s a detailed look at the key retentions and major buys:
Retained Players: The Backbone of Franchises
Franchises made calculated decisions to hold onto proven performers, forming the foundation of their squads:
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- MS Dhoni: The stalwart skipper continues to lead the “Yellow Army.”
- Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube: Retained to ensure batting consistency.
- Ravindra Jadeja: A versatile all-rounder essential to CSK’s strategy.
- Matheesha Pathirana: Retained for his fiery pace in the death overs.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Rohit Sharma: Retained as the dependable leader.
- Jasprit Bumrah: A vital cog in MI’s pace attack.
- Suryakumar Yadav: The linchpin in the middle order.
- Hardik Pandya: A retained star with game-changing abilities.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Virat Kohli: The face of RCB’s batting unit.
- Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal: Retained to strengthen the Indian core.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Sanju Samson: A consistent performer and trusted captain.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: The young opener who continues to impress.
- Shimron Hetmyer: Retained for his explosive finishing abilities.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav: Ensured depth in spin bowling.
- Mitchell Starc: Retained for his pace and precision.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Arshdeep Singh: Retained with an ₹18 crore RTM card.
- Shreyas Iyer: Kept for his leadership potential and middle-order prowess.
Top Buys: Star Players Who Found New Homes
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Acquired for ₹10.75 crore to bolster the bowling attack.
- Krunal Pandya: Snapped for ₹5.75 crore as a spin-bowling all-rounder.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Deepak Chahar: Bought for ₹9.25 crore to strengthen their powerplay bowling.
- Will Jacks: A top-order batter, secured for ₹5.25 crore.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Noor Ahmad: Secured for ₹10 crore, adding variety to their spin arsenal.
- Ravichandran Ashwin: A homecoming story, acquired for ₹9.75 crore.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Marco Jansen: South African all-rounder purchased for ₹7 crore.
- Josh Inglis: The versatile Australian wicketkeeper-batter bought for ₹2.60 crore.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Faf du Plessis: A strategic buy at ₹2 crore, adding experience to their batting lineup.
- Nitish Rana: Secured for ₹4.20 crore to bolster their batting depth.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi: The 13-year-old prodigy, signed for ₹1.10 crore.
- Tushar Deshpande: Acquired for ₹6.50 crore, despite a high economy rate.
Players Who Missed Out
The auction proved tough for some big names:
- Prithvi Shaw, Shardul Thakur, Kane Williamson, and Glenn Phillips remained unsold due to fitness or form issues.
- Veterans like Ajinkya Rahane found buyers in later rounds, with KKR securing him for ₹1.50 crore.
Team Strategies: Balancing Retention with Fresh Talent
Franchises emphasized retaining experienced players while filling gaps with promising talent:
- Rajasthan Royals retained a strong batting core, focusing on adding young bowlers.
- Mumbai Indians focused on strengthening their seam attack, supplementing it with overseas talent.
- Punjab Kings aggressively pursued Indian and overseas all-rounders to fill key roles.
Looking Ahead to IPL 2025
With a mix of retained stars and new faces, the teams have set the stage for a thrilling season. The retention of proven performers, complemented by strategic acquisitions, underscores the franchises’ focus on long-term success. IPL 2025 promises to deliver unforgettable moments with this exciting blend of talent!
