IPL 2025 Player Retention Predictions: Will MS Dhoni And Rohit Sharma Stay With CSK And MI?

The excitement surrounding the IPL 2025 season is intensifying as the deadline for player retention approaches. The IPL Governing Council has set October 31 as the final day for franchises to submit their lists of retained players.

As teams finalize their strategies, iconic players like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma are poised to continue with their respective franchises, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), as reported by India Today.

Player Retention Rules

In a bid to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season, each team has the opportunity to retain up to six players through direct retention or the Right to Match (RTM) card. Teams can keep a maximum of five capped players, which can include both Indian and overseas players, along with up to two uncapped players. This retention framework is designed to help franchises maintain a balanced core while fostering competitive player movement in the league, as reported by India Today.

Potential Retention Choices by Franchise

Here's a closer look at the likely retention choices for each of the ten franchises ahead of the 2025 IPL season:

1. Gujarat Titans

The defending champions are expected to retain a strong core of young talents:

• Shubman Gill
• Rashid Khan
• Sai Sudarshan
• Shahrukh Khan
• Rahul Tewatia (likely using the RTM option)

2. Lucknow Super Giants

In a surprising turn, Lucknow Super Giants may release captain KL Rahul to enter the auction pool. Retained players might include:

• Nicholas Pooran
• Mayank Yadav
• Ayush Badoni
• Ravi Bishnoi (RTM)

3. Mumbai Indians

As the most successful team in IPL history, Mumbai Indians plan to keep a formidable lineup:

• Rohit Sharma
• Hardik Pandya
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Suryakumar Yadav
• Tilak Varma

4. Chennai Super Kings

For CSK, the potential retention of MS Dhoni as an uncapped player is an exciting prospect. Other probable retentions include:

• Ruturaj Gaikwad
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Rachin Ravindra (possibly)
• Matheesha Pathirana

5. Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad aims to infuse international talent into their lineup, with potential retentions such as:

• Pat Cummins
• Heinrich Klaasen
• Abhishek Sharma
• Travis Head
• Abdul Samad

6. Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB is likely to retain their stalwart, Virat Kohli, alongside:

• Mohammed Siraj
• Yash Dayal (conditional)

7. Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals face a dilemma regarding Rishabh Pant, who reportedly wants to explore the auction. Other core players might include:

• Kuldeep Yadav
• Axar Patel

8. Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR's priority retention list features:

• Sunil Narine
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz
• Rinku Singh
• Harshit Rana

Negotiations with Shreyas Iyer are ongoing as the management evaluates his role in the lineup.

9. Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings may lean towards the RTM strategy instead of outright retention, with Arshdeep Singh as a potential standout.

10. Rajasthan Royals

With injury concerns surrounding Jos Buttler, his retention remains uncertain. Likely retentions include:

• Sanju Samson
• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• Riyan Parag

As the deadline for player retention approaches, the anticipation for IPL 2025 continues to build, with fans eager to see how their favourite teams will shape their rosters for the upcoming season, as per media reports.