IPL retention: Mitchell Starc to Rishabh Pant — Big names unlikely to be retained for IPL 2025

Mitchell Starc to Rishabh Pant — Big names unlikely to be retained for IPL 2025 (IPL)

There are some big names which are unlikely to be retained by the Indian Premier League franchises ahead of mega auction. From massive buys like Mitchell Starc to a skipper like KL Rahul, it’s an illustrious list, although tentative at the moment. Here’s a quick look at them.

Mitchell Starc: The most expensive catch ever, in the history of IPL, may not figure in the list of players to be retained by Kolkata Knight Riders. Bought for Rs 24.75 crore, the Australian fast bowler wasn’t among the most prolific performers in the 2024 season. Although his team won the title and Starc was Player of the Match in the final. But his overall record of 17 wickets in 14 matches at an economy rate of 10.61 did not quite match the price tag he commanded.

Rishabh Pant: Speculation is rife that this dashing keeper-batter will not be retained by Delhi Capitals, following a reshuffle in the team management. Bought for Rs 16 crore after he returned from an injury lay-off, Pant had an aggregate of 446 runs from 13 outings at a strike rate of 155.40. These are not bad numbers and everyone is aware of the damage he can cause. Somehow, it seems that the team management wants fresh ideas and Pant doesn’t fit into their scheme of things.

Jos Buttler: For long a reliable recruit of the Rajasthan Royals, this wicketkeeper-batter from England is supposedly not at his best at the moment. Bought for Rs 10 crore, he didn’t exactly have a bad last season, if you consider that he made two centuries. But his aggregate of 359 runs from 11 matches also shows that he was far from consistent. Given the new retention rules, he might just be a too expensive proposition for his franchise.

KL Rahul: The skipper of Lucknow Super Giants was retained by the franchise for Rs 17 crore last season. After an indifferent performance by his team, it seems as if the team owners are no longer interested in retaining him. Rahul made 520 runs in 14 games, which is not a bad record. However, his strike rate of 136.13 is considered to be below par. Plus, his so called inability to inspire the side as the captain is also going against him.

Arshdeep Singh: A star of the Indian team which won the T20 World Cup in June, this left-arm pacer has been part of the Punjab Kings set-up since 2019. He cost the franchise Rs 4 crore last year, which is not a massive amount compared to some other India stars. However, Arshdeep was a bit low-key in the IPL last season. Although he took 19 wickets in 14 games, the economy rate of 10.03 was worrisome. The high retention cost may also go against him.

Glenn Maxwell: Royal Challengers Bangalore retained him last season by paying Rs 11 crore. His returns were abysmal. The Australian tallied 52 runs in 10 games and never made the kind of impact he is known for. He didn’t do anything notable with the ball either. Considering that, it’s highly unlikely that the franchise yearning for its maiden IPL title will spend a fortune on him. In that case, he will be one of the bigger names not to be retained for 2025.

Kuldeep Yadav: A star for India at the T20 World Cup, this Chinaman bowler may be released by Delhi Capitals. He was bought for Rs 2 crore and the primary reason for his possible omission from the list of players to be released is the massive retention cost. He didn’t have a bad last season, taking 16 wickets from 11 games at an acceptable economy rate of 8.70. But, as mentioned, the cost of retention may prompt the team owners to think otherwise.

In exclusive arrangement with RevSportz