The IPL franchises have announced their list of retained players for the upcoming auction, with hefty sums being shelled out to keep top stars on each team. Sunrisers Hyderabad retained South African batsman Heinrich Klaasen for a record-breaking 23 Crore Indian Rupees, closely followed by RCB's Virat Kohli and Lucknow Super Giants' Nicholas Pooran. While each team was allowed to retain up to six players, Chennai Super Kings made an unexpected move by retaining MS Dhoni as an "uncapped" player for a base value of 4 Crore Indian Rupees. Stay tuned to see who else will make the cut for the 2025 season.
IPL 2025 Player Retention: Franchisees Shell Out Hefty Sums
Ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, the franchises have released their lists of retained players. As expected, several top stars have been retained for eye-watering sums.
Sunrisers Hyderabad's Record-Breaking Bid
The most notable move was Sunrisers Hyderabad's record-breaking bid for South African batsman Heinrich Klaasen. The franchise shelled out a staggering 23 Crore Indian Rupees (approximately $3 million) to retain Klaasen, making him the highest-paid player in IPL history.
RCB's Virat Kohli and LSG's Nicholas Pooran Close Behind
Royal Challengers Bangalore retained their talismanic captain, Virat Kohli, for 22 Crore Indian Rupees (approximately $2.9 million). Lucknow Super Giants also made a significant investment in Nicholas Pooran, retaining him for 21 Crore Indian Rupees (approximately $2.8 million).
Chennai Super Kings' Surprise Move
Chennai Super Kings surprised many by retaining MS Dhoni as an "uncapped" player for a base value of 4 Crore Indian Rupees (approximately $533,000). This move suggests that Dhoni, despite being 42 years old, is still considered a valuable asset to the team.
Top 5 FAQs Related to IPL Player Retention
Why is Heinrich Klaasen so highly valued? Klaasen is a dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman who has consistently performed well in various T20 leagues worldwide. He is seen as a key player for the South African national team and has been impressive for Sunrisers Hyderabad in recent seasons.
Why did Chennai Super Kings retain Dhoni as an "uncapped" player? This move essentially means that Dhoni will not count against CSK's salary cap. It suggests that CSK still values Dhoni's leadership, experience, and mentoring abilities.
Who were the biggest snubs in the retention process? Some notable players who were not retained include David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan, and Ravichandran Ashwin. These players may garner significant interest in the auction.
What is the significance of the upcoming IPL auction? The IPL auction provides teams with an opportunity to fill their squads with the best available players. Teams can sign players from India and around the world, giving them a chance to assemble well-balanced, competitive rosters.
When and where is the IPL auction taking place? The IPL auction for the 2025 season is scheduled to be held on March 15, 2025, in Mumbai, India.
On the eve of Liverpool's highly anticipated match against Real Madrid, a shocking transfer development has taken center stage. In recent years, Liverpool has splashed the cash, bringing in big names such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez. However, the 27-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will be facing his former team for the first time since his transfer to Madrid, is expected to receive a hostile welcome from the Liverpool crowd. All eyes will be on Wirtz as he looks to prove his worth in what is being dubbed a high-stakes transfer showdown between the two clubs. With both teams boasting impressive attacking talent, this promises to be an exciting and unforgettable Champions League clash.
In a heated Champions League match, ACHRAF HAKIMI of Paris Saint-Germain was brought to tears after being taken down by Luis Diaz of Bayern Munich. Despite being considered favorites, PSG suffered a 2-1 defeat on their home turf at the hands of the German giants. The match also saw PSG's star player Ousmane Dembele leave the field injured in the first half, adding to their woes.
In a thrilling night of Champions League matches, Liverpool came out on top against Real Madrid thanks to Alexis Mac Allister's decisive goal and a stunning performance from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich continued their perfect record in the competition with a 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain, extending their unbeaten streak to 16 games in all competitions. Rising star Max Dowman also made history for Arsenal as the youngest player in the competition at just 15 years old in their 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague.
Former Liverpool player and current Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has come out in defense of Florian Wirtz, who has faced criticism for his performance since joining the Reds. Wirtz, who was instrumental in helping Alonso lead Leverkusen to a Bundesliga title, is yet to score for Liverpool in 14 appearances. Alonso believes Wirtz needs time to adjust to the demands of the Premier League and has praised his talents and personality. Additionally, Alonso also commented on Real winger Vinicius Jr's recent controversy and said the team has moved on from it.
Liverpool emerged victorious in a thrilling UCL match against Real Madrid, with a crucial goal from Alexis Mac Allister that proved to be decisive for the EPL champions. Despite an impressive display from Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Liverpool's constant attacks paid off in the second half, securing their first UCL victory this season. Meanwhile, Arsenal and Bayern Munich also claimed impressive wins in their respective matches against Slavia Prague and Paris Saint-Germain.
On his 37th birthday, Virat Kohli's rise to becoming one of India's greatest cricketers and most successful captains is celebrated. Despite facing obstacles from a young age, Kohli's passion and determination shone through as he cemented his legacy on the cricket field. From a teenage debut to leading the Indian team to victory, Kohli has inspired a new generation of young talent to follow in his footsteps.
During a recent match against PSG, fans were shocked to see goalkeeper Manuel Neuer receiving tactical instructions on the sideline, hinting at a potential shift in responsibilities. Many are wondering if the legendary player will take over as the main playmaker for Bayern Munich. Despite the surprise, Bayern continues to dominate in their match against PSG, currently leading 1-0.
Liverpool reminded Europe that they are still a formidable force, as they beat Real Madrid 3-0 on an electric night at Anfield. The Reds displayed power, intensity, and control as they dominated Real throughout the game. Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made some impressive saves to try and keep his team afloat, but in the end, they stood no chance against Liverpool's relentless attack. Up-and-coming youngster Conor Bradley shone in his full debut, while seasoned veteran Virgil van Dijk anchored a solid defensive performance. Liverpool's emphatic win solidifies their position as a top contender in the Champions League once again.
After Liverpool's 1-0 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League, Virgil van Dijk gave a cringe-worthy answer when asked about Trent Alexander-Arnold's return to his boyhood club. The victory took the Reds to sixth place in the league, with fans eagerly anticipating Alexander-Arnold's return to the pitch. However, despite a majority of the fans cheering him on, some fans still taunted Alexander-Arnold with jeers and Steven Gerrard chants. And while coach Arne Slot promised a warm welcome for Trent, Van Dijk may not have shared the same sentiment.
Two European giants with contrasting forms will clash in a highly-anticipated Champions League fixture at Anfield on Wednesday. With Liverpool's hopes of a domestic title quickly fading away, they will look to bounce back against a Real Madrid side who have been on fire since Xabi Alonso took over as manager. Will Liverpool's struggling defence be able to withstand Real Madrid's attacking prowess? Only time will tell in this midweek blockbuster under the Champions League lights.