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.
As the IPL 2026 approaches, Chennai Super Kings are making moves to strengthen their team, with talks of a potential trade with Rajasthan Royals for star player Sanju Samson resurfacing. Delhi Capitals have reportedly pulled out of negotiations, giving CSK an opportunity to swoop in. Other interested teams include Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants, who see Samson as an ideal fit for their squads. All eyes are on CSK's internal meeting this November, as they look to finalize their retentions for the upcoming season.
With all eyes on Hardik Pandya's absence on the ongoing India's tour of Australia, Shivam Dube has stepped up and proved himself as a key player in the team. Not only has he been impressive with the bat, but Dube has also showcased his skills with the ball, outperforming even Jasprit Bumrah in the death overs. With the team's trust and backing, Dube has continued to excel and make a mark for himself in the international cricket scene.
In an unfortunate turn of events, two Australian women cricketers were allegedly inappropriately touched by a motorcyclist in Indore on Thursday. They were walking to a nearby cafe from their hotel when the incident occurred. The BCCI and Madhya Pradesh Police have responded swiftly, with the BCCI vice-president calling the incident "very unfortunate" and promising necessary steps to prevent it in the future. The BCCI Secretary also expressed his disapproval and commended the police for their prompt action.
With a strong 6-2 start to the season, the Los Angeles Lakers are facing their biggest challenge yet as they take on the 5-1 San Antonio Spurs led by phenom Victor Wembanyama. Despite battling injuries, the Lakers have been carried by the dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves who have formed a formidable chemistry on the court. Meanwhile, Wembanyama, who is averaging impressive stats this season, looks forward to facing off against one of the toughest players in the league, Doncic, and hopes to come out on top. With both teams showcasing their international superstars and the potential for a playoff preview, this game is sure to be a must-watch for all basketball fans.
During their meeting with PM Modi, the Indian women's cricket team had an interesting interaction where Harleen Deol inquired about his skincare routine. The team also recalled their meeting with the Prime Minister in 2017 after losing the World Cup and how their happiness has doubled with their recent win. Meanwhile, in other sports news, there are concerns about Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins' availability for the remaining Ashes Tests due to an injury.
Following a disappointing 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League, FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has made a decision on his future with the club. Despite going behind three times in the match, Barcelona managed to salvage a point thanks to goals from Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, and an own goal from Christos Tzolis. However, the manner of their performance and the goals conceded is likely to increase the pressure on Flick, who has already faced criticism for their lackluster showings in recent weeks.
As Barcelona prepare to take on Club Brugge in their UEFA Champions League clash, all eyes are on 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal who has just returned from an injury. The young player made a statement with his fashion choice, donning a sparkling diamond chain during the team's trip to Belgium. As Barcelona aims to build off their weekend win and close the gap in their group, fans are eager to see if Yamal's on-field debut is as impressive as this stylish off-field one.
As Virat Kohli turns 37 today, we look back at his incredible journey and relive seven unforgettable moments that solidify his position as the undisputed GOAT of modern cricket. From surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI century record to becoming the fastest batsman in history to reach every 1,000-run mark from 8,000 to 12,000 in ODIs, Kohli's relentless pursuit of excellence and statistical milestones have left even legends in awe.
In a thrilling Champions League match, Barcelona managed to snatch a draw against Club Brugge, thanks to a remarkable performance from Lamine Yamal. The game was full of action, with both teams scoring fantastic goals and hitting the woodwork multiple times. Despite being behind three times, Barcelona never gave up and Yamal's goal sealed the deal. This game will surely be remembered as a classic in the history of the Champions League.
Club Brugge faced off against Barcelona in an exhilarating Champions League match at the Jan Breydelstadion. Despite Club Brugge taking the lead twice, Barcelona equalized each time, including a special solo effort from Lamine Yamal. The game ended 2-2 with both teams putting on a show for the fans.