IPL Retention News: Key Players Released and Retained by Franchises

KKR Moves On from Shreyas Iyer

Kolkata Knight Riders have confirmed the release of their former captain, Shreyas Iyer, who led the team to a title victory during his tenure. Iyer's departure follows extensive negotiations that ultimately did not yield an agreement. He had been with KKR since 2022 and his exit comes amid speculation that the franchise might also release Andre Russell; however, KKR has retained the West Indian all-rounder, along with key players like Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Varun CV, Ramandeep Singh, and Harshit Rana. KKR has opted to retain all six players, leaving them without any Right to Match (RTM) cards for the upcoming auction.

DC Parts Ways with Rishabh Pant

In a surprising turn of events, Delhi Capitals have decided not to retain Rishabh Pant after lengthy negotiations. The discussions included a crucial meeting aimed at extending his contract for an additional three years, but the talks did not succeed. Pant has been a part of the DC setup since 2016. Meanwhile, DC has retained Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and rising star Tristan Stubbs, alongside uncapped player Abishek Porel.

KL Rahul and LSG's Retention Strategy

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have also made a notable decision by releasing KL Rahul following an underwhelming performance last season. The franchise has focused its retention strategy on Nicholas Pooran, investing heavily with a retention fee of INR 21 crore. They have also held onto Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank Yadav, along with uncapped players Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan.

CSK and SRH's Retention Choices

Chennai Super Kings have retained five key players, including MS Dhoni, who confirmed his participation for the upcoming season. Alongside Dhoni, the retained players include Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Matheesha Pathirana. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad have made a splash by re-signing Heinrich Klaasen for INR 23 crore, while also retaining captain Pat Cummins and several other prominent players.

Rajasthan Royals and Jos Buttler

Rajasthan Royals have opted not to retain Jos Buttler, who has been sidelined since June due to injury. This decision leaves the England captain available for other franchises at the auction. The Royals have retained several players, including Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Riyan Parag.

Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians' Retentions

Gujarat Titans have retained five players, including stars Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill, while also keeping uncapped players Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan. Mumbai Indians have chosen to retain five of their key players as well, including Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Rohit Sharma, while heading into the auction with one RTM card.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Retention Decisions

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have made some significant changes, opting not to retain Faf du Plessis or Mohammed Siraj. They have instead focused on retaining Virat Kohli for INR 21 crore and uncapped players Yash Dayal and Rajat Patidar.

Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings are poised to enter the auction with a strong position, having retained two uncapped players while holding four RTMs for the upcoming auction.

As teams prepare for the auction, these retention decisions will undoubtedly shape the dynamics of the IPL moving forward.