IPL 2025 Mega Auction Set for Riyadh: Expected Dates and Key Retentions

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its 2025 mega auction, anticipated to be held in Riyadh at the end of this month, specifically from November 24 to 25. This event comes after all ten franchises revealed their retention lists, which included a mix of expected and surprising decisions regarding player retention for the upcoming season.

As the franchises prepare for the auction, they have retained a total of 46 players, investing a collective sum of ₹558.5 crore. Among these retained players, 36 are Indian, including ten uncapped talents. Some notable players released into the auction pool include international stars such as Jos Buttler, Aiden Markram, Glenn Maxwell, Faf Du Plessis, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer, all of whom were seen as crucial to their respective teams.

Key Retention Highlights:

• Mumbai Indians (MI) opted for a strong Indian core, keeping captain Hardik Pandya, former captain Rohit Sharma, pacer Jasprit Bumrah, and the explosive Suryakumar Yadav. Despite expectations, Ishan Kishan was not retained, leaving MI with ₹45 crore for further enhancements in the auction.

• Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) took a more selective route, retaining only three players: Virat Kohli, who commands the highest retention fee of ₹21 crore, along with Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal. This strategy grants RCB the second-largest auction purse of ₹83 crore.

• Punjab Kings surprised many by not retaining any capped players, focusing instead on young talent with the retention of Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh. This approach provides them with the largest auction purse of ₹110.5 crore.

• Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will see MS Dhoni returning for the new season as an uncapped player, alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Ravindra Jadeja. CSK's strategy appears to blend experienced players with promising newcomers.

• Rajasthan Royals have retained a solid batting lineup but are looking for additional firepower at the top of the order. They enter the auction with the smallest purse of ₹41 crore.

• Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and others have also made their retention choices with strategic focus on building strong squads for the upcoming season.

The release of major players into the auction, coupled with the varying strategies across franchises, sets the stage for an exciting and competitive IPL 2025 auction. As teams prepare to bolster their squads, the anticipation among fans and analysts is palpable, with the potential for significant shifts in team dynamics and player fortunes.