As the Indian Premier League (IPL) prepares for its 2025 season, the anticipation among fans and analysts alike is palpable. This year’s IPL promises not only cricketing excellence but also showcases the strategic depth of each franchise through their player retention decisions. The IPL’s format allows teams to retain up to six players, a move designed to maintain team cores while injecting fresh talent into the mix. This article provides an in-depth look at the potential retentions for each IPL franchise, highlighting the blend of experience, emerging stars, and strategic depth each team is aiming for.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

MS Dhoni (Uncapped)
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ravindra Jadeja
Devon Conway
Matheesha Pathirana
CSK’s strategy revolves around loyalty and legacy, with Dhoni’s retention as an uncapped player due to his retirement from international cricket underscoring his enduring influence.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Virat Kohli
Cameron Green (Based on availability)
Mohammed Siraj
Will Jacks
Yash Dayal (Uncapped)
RCB’s retention list focuses on a blend of explosive batting and versatile bowling, aiming to finally clinch the elusive title.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Rohit Sharma (If he agrees)
Hardik Pandya
Jasprit Bumrah
Suryakumar Yadav
Tilak Varma
MI’s strategy suggests a mix of proven winners and promising youngsters, contingent on Rohit’s agreement to continue.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Shreyas Iyer
Andre Russell
Sunil Narine
Rinku Singh
Harshit Rana (Uncapped)
KKR’s retention reflects a strategy focused on power hitters and all-rounders, aiming for explosive starts and strong finishes.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Sanju Samson
Jos Buttler
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yuzvendra Chahal
Trent Boult
RR’s lineup suggests a strong batting order complemented by quality spin and pace bowling.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
Shubman Gill
Rashid Khan
Mohammad Shami
David Miller
Sai Sudharsan
GT’s strategy focuses on young Indian talent supported by international stars, aiming for a balanced team.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Rishabh Pant
Axar Patel
Kuldeep Yadav
Tristan Stubbs
Jake Fraser-McGurk
DC’s retention aims for aggressive batting and spin bowling that could unsettle any opposition.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Nicholas Pooran
KL Rahul
Marcus Stoinis
Mayank Yadav
Ravi Bishnoi
LSG plans to leverage a strong middle order and robust bowling attack with their retentions.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Arshdeep Singh
Liam Livingstone
Sam Curran
Shahank Singh (Uncapped)
PBKS’s strategy focuses on explosive batting and varied bowling, aiming to make a strong impact.
The IPL 2025 retentions not only promise thrilling cricket but also showcase the league’s commitment to nurturing Indian cricket while maintaining its global appeal. This strategic depth across all franchises sets the stage for a season filled with cricketing drama, strategic brilliance, and moments of pure sporting magic. As fans, we eagerly await to see how these retentions translate into team dynamics and victories on the field, making IPL 2025 a season to remember.