5 England internationals who might be released ahead of IPL 2025 auction ft. Phil Salt
With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction fast approaching, the franchises have their task cut out. The deadline to announce the final retention list is October 31, 2024.
Each franchise can retain a maximum of six players, with a combination of retentions and the Right to Match (RTM) option. They can retain a maximum of five capped (Indian and overseas) and two uncapped (Indian) players. Hence, some players, who helped their side perform well in the 2024 season, will have to return to the auction pool.
Some England stars played vital roles for their sides last term. But a few of them are unlikely to be retained by the franchises ahead of the auction. Let's take a look at a few of those players who might go under the hammer.
#1 Phil Salt
Phil Salt came into the limelight in IPL 2024 with his blistering performances for Kolkata Knight Riders. He slammed 435 runs in 12 innings at a strike-rate of 182.01 and a top score of 89*.
The opening batter stitched big partnerships with Sunil Narine on multiple occasions, helping KKR get off to sublime starts. Although Salt played until the league stage and returned for national duty before the knockouts, the franchise still went on to lift the title.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana are likely to be among the Indian players to be retained. Moreover, the franchise will also look to secure the services of their veteran all-rounders Andre Russell and Narine as well. If required, the franchise might use the RTM option for any of the six players.
The other two probable players - Salt and Mitchell Starc are unlikely to be in the scheme of things for KKR.
#2 Tom Curran
Tom Curran spent his entire IPL 2024 on the sidelines, as he could not find a place in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru XI. The franchise also did well to reach the playoffs without his contributions. Hence, he is not expected to be retained by RCB for IPL 2025.
In fact, Curran's last IPL appearance came in the 2021 season for the Delhi Capitals. His performances in The Hundred 2024 were also not satisfactory, as the bowling all-rounder could pick up only six wickets and scored 37 runs for the champion Oval Invincibles.
#3 Reece Topley
Left-arm pacer Reece Topley could not make the most of his opportunities with RCB in IPL 2024. He scalped only four wickets in as many appearances at an expensive economy of 11.2 and was dropped from the side.
Although Topley has a fine track record of 200+ wickets in T20s, he hasn't fared well in his recent outings. He could pick up only two wickets in four appearances in The Hundred 2024.
Moreover, the 30-year-old went wicketless in his last two T20I appearances for England earlier this month. Hence, he is unlikely to be in the fray for getting retained by RCB.
#4 Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow had a disappointing start to his IPL 2024 season, where he could score 96 runs in his first six innings for Punjab Kings. As a result, he was dropped from the XI. However, he returned to the side following the untimely injury to skipper Shikhar Dhawan.
Bairstow smashed 108* off 48 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders and helped the franchise record the highest-ever successful T20 chase of 262. He ended the season with 298 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 152.82. However, he is unlikely to be retained by the franchise.
The Kings are likely to choose Shashank Singh, Sam Curran, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Liam Livingstone and Ashutosh Sharma as their probable retentions. Notably, Shashank was the top batter for the side in IPL 2024 with 354 runs.
The likes of Curran and Livingstone have been in sensational form and are likely to be favored ahead of Bairstow.
#5 Luke Wood
Luke Wood featured in two games in IPL 2024 for the Mumbai Indians. The left-arm pacer could not leave an impact as he scalped only a solitary wicket at an average of 93. He finished with figures of 1/68 against the Delhi Capitals and was dropped from the side.
Wood returned with mediocre performances in The Hundred 2024, as he finished with only six wickets in seven appearances. Overall, he has been decent with 164 wickets in 161 T20s, but doesn't possess that X-factor, and is unlikely to be retained by MI.