Cricket

With the IPL 2025 mega auction retention deadline approaching on October 31, all 10 IPL teams are gearing up to announce their retained and released players. Franchises are permitted to retain up to six players, including at least one uncapped Indian player. Rumors have circulated that prominent names like KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant may enter the auction pool, prompting franchises to consider lucrative contracts to secure their services.Five Players Likely to be Retained for Rs 20 Crore:1. Virat Kohli:The former India captain has been a loyal member of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since the inaugural IPL season in 2008. As the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer, Kohli could make history by being retained for Rs 20 crore. RCB may reward his loyalty with an improved deal, surpassing his previous retention amount of Rs 18 crore in 2018.2. Rishabh Pant:Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant has hinted at leaving his team and entering the auction through a social media post. Pant has been with DC (formerly Delhi Daredevils) since his debut in 2016. To prevent him from entering the auction, DC may retain him for a record sum of Rs 20 crore.3. Shreyas Iyer:Despite losing his BCCI central contract earlier this year, IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer remains a highly sought-after player. After leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the IPL title last year, Iyer's retention should be a priority. With several teams seeking a new captain, KKR could offer Rs 20 crore to retain his services.4. Hardik Pandya:After acquiring him last season in a mega trade deal, Mumbai Indians (MI) are likely to retain their captain Hardik Pandya ahead of the mega auction. However, they may offer him an improved contract worth Rs 20 crore.5. Rohit Sharma:Rohit Sharma's future with MI has been the subject of speculation, with reports suggesting he may leave the franchise. However, a recent report claims that MI is set to retain Rohit, despite stripping him of captaincy duties last season. They may offer him Rs 20 crore to prevent him from entering the auction.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed uncertainty over Rohit Sharma's retention by Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. However, he believes that Rohit's recent T20 World Cup triumph could sway the franchise's decision.Harbhajan, who has won three IPL titles under Rohit's captaincy, believes that the Mumbai Indians will prioritize retaining their core group. He predicts that Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma will be retained alongside Rohit."Mumbai Indians haven't played well in the last two to three years," Harbhajan said. "But they're a champion team, and they'll definitely think of building a team for the future. They'll retain experienced players, and I think Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma will be retained."Harbhajan also suggested Nehal Wadhera as a potential uncapped retention for Mumbai Indians. "He's an uncapped player, so he should be picked," he added.In the IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians finished at the bottom of the table under Pandya's captaincy. They won just four games out of 14 league stage fixtures.Harbhajan's comments highlight the challenges facing Mumbai Indians as they prepare for the IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise will need to make strategic decisions about which players to retain and which to release in order to rebuild a competitive team.

With the IPL 2025 mega auction retention deadline approaching on October 31, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are facing a dilemma regarding the retention of their title-winning captain, Shreyas Iyer. Sources have revealed that Iyer's retention status is uncertain, with other players emerging as strong contenders for retention.Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, the West Indies duo, have been instrumental in KKR's success as all-rounders. Narine's spin bowling and Russell's power-hitting have been crucial for the team. Middle-order batter Rinku Singh, who has been with KKR since 2018, has proven to be a valuable find as a finisher.Wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been a key figure in KKR's spin attack, picking up 21 wickets in IPL 2024 with an impressive economy rate of 8.04. His performances have earned him a recall to the Indian team for the T20Is against Bangladesh and South Africa.Uncapped fast-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana has also impressed in recent seasons, picking up 19 wickets in IPL 2024. His recent call-up to the Indian team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series further enhances his value.While Iyer led KKR to their third IPL title in 2024, scoring 351 runs in 14 innings, his retention status is in doubt. If he enters the mega auction pool, franchises in need of a captain will have the opportunity to acquire his services.KKR's retention dilemma stems from the abundance of talent within their squad. Apart from the six players mentioned above, they also have Mitchell Starc, Phil Salt, Venkatesh Iyer, and Ramandeep Singh, who has been called up to the Indian team for the T20Is against South Africa.Under IPL retention rules, each team can retain a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped players. KKR will have to make tough decisions to finalize their retention list, balancing the need for experience and potential.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have finalized their retention plans for the upcoming IPL 2025 season, with Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, and Ayush Badoni set to remain with the franchise.Pooran, the explosive West Indian batter, is expected to be the highest-paid retention, followed by Mayank and Bishnoi. Pooran has been a key contributor for LSG, scoring 306 runs in 14 matches in 2024 and leading the team as interim captain during KL Rahul's absence.Mayank, a promising young fast bowler, has impressed with his pace and accuracy. Despite playing only four matches in 2024 due to injury, he has earned a national call-up and is considered a potential future star.Bishnoi, a leg-spinner, has been a consistent performer for LSG, taking 16 wickets in 2023 and playing a crucial role in the team's playoff run.Badoni, a middle-order batter, has shown his potential with aggressive performances, scoring 238 runs in 12 innings in 2023. Mohsin, a left-arm fast bowler, has also been impressive, taking 14 wickets in nine matches in his debut IPL season in 2022.With these five players retained, LSG will have one right-to-match (RTM) card at the auction. The exact amount paid to the retained players is not yet known, but it is estimated to be around INR 51 crore, which will be deducted from LSG's purse.

SRH's Retention Conundrum: Moody's Picks for IPL 2025Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) coach Tom Moody has identified four key players he believes the franchise should retain: captain Pat Cummins, openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, and wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen.Moody, who guided SRH to the 2024 IPL final, emphasized the importance of retaining the team's core players. Head, Abhishek, and Klaasen were instrumental in SRH's success last season, finishing as the top three run-getters.Head, the Australian batter, amassed 567 runs, including a century and four fifties. Abhishek, the Indian opener, contributed 484 runs with three half-centuries. Klaasen, the South African wicketkeeper, accumulated 479 runs, including four half-centuries."SRH has a tough job during this retention period," Moody said. "At the top, I'd look to secure captain Pat Cummins, followed by Travis Head and then Abhishek Sharma."Moody also suggested considering all-rounders Nitish Reddy and Abdul Samad for retention. Reddy was the fourth-highest run-getter for SRH in 2024, while Samad impressed with his power-hitting, scoring 182 runs at a strike rate of 168.51."I'd extend it even further to retain Heinrich Klaasen," Moody added. "Nitish Reddy and Abdul Samad are also worth considering."IPL franchises can retain a maximum of six players, including a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped players. The auction purse for IPL 2025 has been set at Rs 120 crore. The deadline for franchises to finalize their retention list is October 31.

Chennai Super Kings' Potential Retentions for 2025 IPL Mega AuctionFormer India spinner Harbhajan Singh has predicted that five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will retain five key players ahead of the 2025 mega auction. According to Singh, the franchise is likely to prioritize the retention of MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Rachin Ravindra, and Matheesha Pathirana.Singh expressed uncertainty over Dhoni's IPL future but emphasized that if the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman is available, he would be CSK's first choice for retention. He also highlighted the importance of Jadeja, Ravindra, and Gaikwad, who have been instrumental in the team's success in recent seasons."I'm not certain if Dhoni will play or not, but if he's available, he would certainly be the team's first choice for retention, even if he is considered an uncapped player this season," Singh said. "Following him, the next pick would be Ravindra Jadeja, then Rachin Ravindra. As for the captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, he would also be a definite retention."Singh also praised Pathirana, a young Sri Lankan pacer who impressed for CSK in the 2024 season. He believes that the franchise could retain Pathirana as their fifth player."I believe these four players will be retained. Besides them, we could also see Pathirana, who is an excellent bowler, kept in the squad," Singh added. "And if an uncapped player is retained, there could be a surprise choice, but CSK may only retain five players."The IPL franchises have been given an auction purse of INR 120 crore for the 2025 season. The deadline for finalizing their retention list is October 31.

With the IPL 2025 auction fast approaching, the retention lists of all 10 franchises are set to be finalized. Amidst the speculation surrounding the availability of big names like KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, another IPL-winning captain may be entering the auction pool: Shreyas Iyer.According to ESPN Cricinfo, it is an open secret that Kolkata Knight Riders' skipper Iyer is considering a move after receiving a lucrative offer from a rival franchise. The deadline for submitting retention lists is October 31st, ahead of the mega auction expected to take place in the last week of November.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to announce the official date and venue for the auction. However, two contradictory reports have emerged. Times of India suggests the auction will be held in Dubai on November 30th, while Sportstar claims it will be a two-day event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 24th and 25th.Riyadh is reportedly the frontrunner due to its favorable time zone. The BCCI and IPL officials are finalizing the venue that can accommodate the large entourage of franchise delegations, Jio, and Disney Star representatives over three days.Iyer's potential availability in the auction pool would create a significant buzz. The 28-year-old led the Kolkata Knight Riders to their second IPL title in 2021 and has established himself as one of the most consistent batters in the league. His departure from KKR would open up a leadership vacancy and spark intense competition among franchises seeking a proven captain.The IPL 2025 auction promises to be a thrilling event, with several big names potentially up for grabs. Iyer's availability would add another layer of intrigue and could significantly impact the dynamics of the league.

Gujarat Titans, the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, have hinted at retaining their skipper Shubman Gill and star spinner Rashid Khan for the upcoming 2025 season. The franchise posted images of both players on social media, suggesting their retention ahead of the official announcement.However, the absence of pacer Mohammed Shami's photo in the post has raised questions about his future with the team. Shami has been a crucial member of the Titans since their inception in 2022, playing a pivotal role in their title victory that year. In IPL 2023, he continued to lead the Titans' pace attack, finishing with an impressive tally of 28 wickets.Shami's recent struggles with injuries have cast a shadow over his retention prospects. He has been sidelined since the ODI World Cup final last November due to an ankle injury and a knee swelling issue. However, the 34-year-old has recently shown encouraging signs of recovery, bowling at full intensity in the nets.Shami's fitness and performance in upcoming domestic matches will be crucial in determining his fate with the Titans. He aims to play "one or two" matches to strengthen his case for selection ahead of the marquee tour of Australia starting next month.The Titans' decision on Shami's retention will be closely watched by fans and experts alike. His experience and skill would be a valuable asset to the team, but his recent injury concerns may give the franchise pause.

MS Dhoni's participation in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season remains uncertain, as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan awaits confirmation from the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman."We have still no confirmation from him, though we would like him to continue playing for us," Viswanathan told ESPNcricinfo. "Hope he will confirm before 31st [October]."October 31 is the deadline for franchises to submit their list of retained players to the IPL ahead of the mega auction. Dhoni is eligible to be retained by CSK as an uncapped player, thanks to a rule change that considers players retired from international cricket for five years as uncapped.Dhoni, who last played for India in the 2019 ODI World Cup, retired from international cricket in August 2020. He has since played exclusively in the IPL, scoring 161 runs at a strike rate of 220 as a finisher in the 2024 season after handing over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad.If CSK retains Dhoni as an uncapped player, they will lose only INR 4 crore from their auction purse of INR 120 crore. Franchises are allowed to retain up to six players ahead of the mega auction, with a maximum of five capped internationals.While it is highly likely that Dhoni will be retained by CSK, the franchise's decision will depend on his availability and performance in the upcoming season.