With just days left before the October 31 deadline to submit player retention lists for IPL 2025, franchises are under pressure, and much of it is due to Kavya Maran, the owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Maran’s bold decisions regarding player retention have triggered unexpected complications, impacting not just her team but others as well.
Reports suggest that SRH is planning to retain key players like Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, and Abhishek Sharma. However, the price tags for these players are causing ripples across the IPL landscape, sparking unrest among other franchises and players.
Klaasen’s Big Paycheck Fuels Tension
According to reports by ESPNcricinfo, Kavya Maran is ready to offer ₹23 crores to Heinrich Klaasen, significantly higher than the ₹18 crore cap set by the BCCI for the first retained player. This bold step has complicated things for other teams, as it has opened the door for players to demand higher market-based retentions, knowing the slab rules can be bypassed.
Pat Cummins and Abhishek Sharma are also reportedly set to receive ₹18 crores and ₹14 crores, respectively. With these figures out in public, several Indian players are re-evaluating their value and demanding bigger paychecks from their current franchises.
Players Seek Higher Value Amid New Opportunities
Franchise officials have expressed concerns that players now realize they can negotiate beyond the BCCI’s fixed retention limits. Many players have begun exploring offers from other teams, hoping to secure higher salaries or leadership roles. Franchises such as Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Lucknow Super Giants are actively looking for new captains, making top Indian stars attractive targets for these teams in the upcoming mega auction.
Understanding the IPL 2025 Retention Rules
BCCI allows each franchise to retain up to six players, including both capped and uncapped individuals. A maximum of five players can be capped, while the remaining one or two players can be uncapped. Teams can either retain these players directly or use the Right to Match (RTM) card during the auction.
Here’s the retention fee structure:
- First player: ₹18 crores
- Second player: ₹14 crores
- Third player: ₹11 crores
- Fourth player: ₹18 crores
- Fifth player: ₹14 crores
The decision to retain players or use RTM must align with each franchise’s strategy, making the retention deadline critical for all teams.
IPL Franchises in a Race to Finalize Retention Lists
With the October 31 deadline approaching, most teams are still trying to finalize their retention lists amid the growing pressure. Maran’s decision to offer Klaasen a record-breaking salary has disrupted the retention strategies of other teams, setting off a domino effect. Franchises now face the challenge of keeping their top players happy while staying within budget, making this one of the most intense retention phases in IPL history.
