The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retention day is here. Yes, we are just a couple of hours away from getting to know every detail. However, prior to the official announcements, there have been strong rumours of big players not getting retained by their respective franchises. Insidesport broke the huge development of KL Rahul and his separation with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer are also almost certain to leave their teams. With BCCI maintaining certain slabs, there have been many disagreements between these star players on their retention amounts with franchises. Moreover, other franchises have also lured them with some back-channelling talks. On that note, below are some high-profile stars who will enter the IPL 2025 mega auction.
DC to release Rishabh Pant
Delhi Capitals’ decision to release Rishabh Pant will mark the end of an era for the franchise. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, who has amassed 3,284 runs in 111 IPL matches, has been a cornerstone of DC’s lineup for years. His best season came in 2017, when he scored a remarkable 684 runs. Despite his consistent performances and leadership qualities, negotiations between Pant and the DC ownership have reached an impasse. The franchise has instead chosen to build around a core group including Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel. Moreover, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have already emerged as potential suitors for Pant, with reports suggesting they might make a substantial bid for the explosive southpaw in the upcoming mega auction.
KL Rahul leaves LSG
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have made the bold decision to part ways with their captain, KL Rahul, ahead of the IPL 2025 season. Despite being the team’s highest run-getter with 1,410 runs, Rahul’s strike rate of 130.6 has been a point of concern for the franchise. More worrying is his powerplay strike rate of 119.15 since 2020, which has often put pressure on the middle order. The decision also comes in the wake of reported tensions between Rahul and franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka, following a public spat after a devastating loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) earlier this year. LSG has chosen to move forward with Nicholas Pooran as their primary retention over Rs 20 crore, signalling a clear shift in their team strategy.
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Shreyas Iyer to be released by KKR
Money talks in the IPL, and in Shreyas Iyer’s case, it might have talked a bit too loud. KKR’s captain, who commanded ₹12.25 crore in the 2022 mega auction, is set to hit the auction block after failing to strike a deal with the franchise. The numbers tell an interesting story: 752 runs in KKR colours at a decent strike rate of 140.04. Not bad, right? But here’s where things get complicated. Iyer reportedly came to the negotiation table with what KKR management deemed an “astronomical” price tag, and that’s where the conversations started going south. Adding to this are concerns about his fitness, particularly after missing the entire IPL 2023 season due to a back injury. His removal from the BCCI’s central contract and recent absence from the national side have further weakened his stake with KKR.
Andre Russell to enter IPL 2025 auction
Andre Russell, the Kolkata Knight Riders’ most committed employee, will leave the team in an unexpected turn of events. The Caribbean muscleman has been with the franchise since a decade and even played a huge role in their title winning season earlier this year. With 19 wickets at an outstanding average of 15.53 and 222 runs at a scorching strike rate of 185, the 36-year-old all-rounder had an incredible 2024 season.
However, it seems that KKR makes its decisions mostly based on age. The 3-time champion wants to spend money on younger players who can commit to the squad for a longer period of time. Despite his excellent recent play, Russell’s departure emphasises the franchise’s emphasis on long-term viability under head coach Chandrakant Pandit. Unsurprisingly, Russell is predicted to draw a lot of interest from several clubs due to his outstanding all-around skills. There are hardly any more powerful strikers than him, and Russell is a great wicket-taking option too.
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