Predicting 5 surprising retentions for IPL 2025 ft. Rachin Ravindra
After a frenetic off-season period, which included revisions of the current policy, meetings between the franchise owners and the BCCI, the time for the Indian Premier League (IPL) retentions are finally here. Following the announcement of the revised guidelines, teams have to make some hard decision, which could impact their fate on the auction table, as well as the next cycle altogether.
While the number of retentions have seen an increase following a near-unanimous appeal from the franchises, there is a catch. A staggering increase in the retention slabs has also been introduced, meaning that if franchise lean towards loyalty and try to retain the core, they will have to pay a price for it.
Teams could lose well more than half of their overall purse if they choose to take full liberty of the provision in place. The primary task of the think-tanks of the franchises would be to strike a balance between retaining their core to maintain their established identity, while leaving enough room to splurge at the auction table accordingly to fill the gaps.
As far as the retentions are concerned, there are some obvious names that are on the same page as the franchise, looking to extend their tryst. That does not make the entire endeavor predictable by any means. If there is anything that the IPL has taught us over the years, it is that one can expect surprises anytime, whether it be on the field, or off it.
On that note, let us take a look at five surprising retentions for IPL 2025.
#1 Rachin Ravindra by CSK
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) look to deal with the retention process in an effortless manner, much like they operate everything else. What helps the effortlessness is the fact that they do not have too many headaches to deal with, especially now that MS Dhoni has reportedly confirmed his participation as well.
Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, and Shivam Dube are likely guaranteed retentions. Given how CSK prioritizes stability, they will be keen on using their quota by holding onto Sameer Rizvi, and one more of their former players.
The choice potentially boils down to two, either Devon Conway or Rachin Ravindra. The latter's rapid rise, young age, and sparks of brilliance in his debut season, may work in his favor. Otherwise CSK have to risk the unpredictable aution dynamic and use the RTM on him. Retention just feels like a much safer option for CSK to extend their assured core.
#2 Phil Salt by KKR
Much of KKR's retention strategy is revolved around players in the bottom half of their playing XI. The defending champions will want to keep hold of the likes of Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, Rinku Singh and Harshit Rana.
The importance on retaining at least one batter becomes all the more important considering that skipper Shreyas Iyer may depart in search of a bigger pay cheque.
Given how the Salt-Narine dynamic worked for the team towards the title in the 2024 season, they maybe tempted to keep the Englishman on board on a long-term basis.
#3 Jake Fraser-McGurk by DC
The Delhi Capitals are among a set of franchises who have their retention plans halfway figured out, but not entirely. There is a little uncertainty and murmur regarding their skipper Rishabh Pant, which is not a good sign. At the moment, only Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel look certain retentions.
With a new management set in place, they have a huge task to rebuild DC, who have not qualified for the playoffs in three years. Despite another poor season in 2024, there were several positives, most of them emerging from the young pair of Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tristan Stubbs.
DC would ideally like to keep a hold of both of them, but could risk with one of them courtesy of the RTM card. Given how Fraser-McGurk has risen to the highest level so quickly, and making a lasting impression in his maiden season itself, DC might regret it big time if they let him slip. DC know a thing or two about losing good players.
#4 Kagiso Rabada by PBKS
There are no prizes for predicting that PBKS will head into the auction table with minimal retentions and the highest purse. A decade and a half of mediocrity and rebuilds have made this a common sight, but with Ricky Ponting at the helm now, there is a buzz of hope around.
It is clear that PBKS are heading towards an overhaul, with Arshdeep Singh arguably being the only player among the capped candidates that they wish to retain, and this has been the unanimous opinion among fans and pundits.
However, before casting away the entire squad in the blink of an eye, it is worth remembering that PBKS have Kagiso Rabada in their setup. The South African speedster had a brilliant T20 World Cup 2024 recently, and has improved in the shortest format of late.
Not to forget, some of Rabada's best work in the IPL came while playing under Ponting's guidance in the Delhi Capitals (DC), a few years ago. Fast bowlers are always a prized commodity, and since PBKS have a luxury with retentions that not many franchsies do, they should not sleep on this opportunity.
#5 Shimron Hetmyer by RR
Finishers are not only one of the most difficult roles to execute in a playing XI, but also one of the hardest to find. There are only a few hand-picked 'accomplished' finishers. Picking a raw prospect for this role is a huge gamble, and the competitive league does not provide the luxury of settling down.
Keeping that in mind, RR have been blessed with a consistent presence in the lower-order in the form of Shimron Hetmyer. The explosive left-handed handed batter has held a strike rate of over 150 across the last three editions. He also recently had a solid 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign, ending as the fifth-highest run scorer.
Although the price to retain Hetmyer may seem as a little steep, it is justified considering the dearth of options available in the options, and the tricky nature of RTM this time around, making it close to a gamble.