Sarfaraz Khan to Sourav Ganguly: Top 10 worst player retentions in IPL history
Here’s a look at 10 of the most questionable player retentions in IPL history that left fans and experts scratching their heads.
Rahul Giri
November 11, 2025 / 22:04 IST
1/11
With the 2026 IPL auction scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi from December 14 to 17, all eyes are on how teams will shape their squads ahead of the new season. Franchises have until November 15 to submit their list of retained players, a decision that can make or break a campaign. Over the years, some retentions have proved to be masterstrokes, while others have turned into costly blunders.
2/11
1. Sarfaraz Khan – Royal Challengers Bangalore: When RCB decided to retain a young Sarfaraz Khan ahead of the 2017 season, letting go of established names like Chris Gayle and KL Rahul, the decision raised eyebrows. Despite showing promise early in his career, Sarfaraz struggled to justify the faith placed in him. He managed only 51 runs that season, averaging barely over 10, before being released the following year. In hindsight, replacing a proven match-winner like Gayle with an inexperienced youngster remains one of RCB’s biggest blunders. (BCCI Photo)
3/11
2. Sourav Ganguly – Pune Warriors India: When Pune Warriors retained Sourav Ganguly for the 2012 season, it was more about experience and leadership than form. Taking over as captain in Yuvraj Singh’s absence, Ganguly struggled both as a player and leader. Pune finished at the bottom of the table, and Ganguly was briefly dropped mid-season before announcing his retirement from the IPL. It marked a disappointing end to a glorious cricketing career. (AFP Photo)
4/11
3. Stuart Binny – Rajasthan Royals: Stuart Binny’s early years with Rajasthan Royals were promising, especially his breakout 2013 season that earned him a national call-up. However, the Royals’ decision to retain him for subsequent seasons backfired. Between 2014 and 2015, Binny’s returns with both bat and ball dwindled. Despite occasional flashes of form, he never lived up to expectations, and his later stint with the franchise in 2018 also failed to revive his IPL career. (BCCI Photo)
4. Pawan Negi – Royal Challengers Bangalore: RCB’s repeated trust in Pawan Negi turned out to be another miscalculated move. After being bought for ₹8.5 crore by Delhi in 2016 and failing to impress, Negi joined RCB in 2017 and had a decent debut season. However, his form quickly dipped, and yet the franchise chose to retain him again in 2018 and 2019. With limited game time and little impact on the field, Negi’s retention stands out as an example of misplaced confidence by RCB’s management. (RCB Photo)
6/11
5. Jayant Yadav – Delhi Daredevils (Now Delhi Capitals): Following a strong Test series against England in 2016, Delhi retained Jayant Yadav with high hopes. However, the spinner found himself on the sidelines for most of the 2017 season, bowling just six overs in total. The decision seemed illogical, as the team barely used him. Yadav’s underutilization and lack of impact made his retention one of the more forgettable ones in IPL history. (AFP Photo)
7/11
6. Axar Patel – Kings XI Punjab (Now Punjab Kings): Ahead of the 2018 mega auction, Punjab chose to retain only Axar Patel, a move that surprised many. Despite being a talented all-rounder, Axar endured a below-par season — scoring just 80 runs and taking only three wickets in nine games. Though economical with the ball, his overall impact was minimal. The decision to retain him as the team’s lone core player backfired badly.
8/11
7. Ajinkya Rahane – Rajasthan Royals: Ajinkya Rahane’s dependability and calm approach earned him a long stint with the Royals. Yet, in the fast-paced world of T20 cricket, his conservative strike rate became a liability. Retaining him in 2014 and beyond didn’t yield the desired results, as Rahane often struggled to accelerate. While respected for his class and leadership, his slow scoring rate cost Rajasthan valuable momentum in crucial games. (BCCI Photo)
8. Deepak Hooda – Sunrisers Hyderabad: Deepak Hooda was seen as one of SRH’s bright young prospects after their 2016 title win. However, his performances over the next two seasons were underwhelming. Scoring only 78 and 87 runs in 2017 and 2018 respectively, Hooda struggled for consistency. His bowling, once a secondary weapon, also faltered, with poor economy rates and few wickets. Retaining him after the 2016 triumph proved to be an error in judgment for Hyderabad. (AFP Photo)
10/11
9. David Miller – Kings XI Punjab (Now Punjab Kings): David Miller’s heroics against RCB in 2013 made him a household name. Punjab’s decision to retain him seemed justified then, but his form fell drastically in later seasons. Over four years, Miller could manage just one half-century and saw his strike rate dip significantly. Despite his early promise, retaining him for multiple seasons proved costly, as Punjab failed to extract consistent performances from the big-hitting South African. (BCCI Photo)
11/11
10. Albie Morkel – Delhi Daredevils (Now Delhi Capitals): Known for his all-round prowess with Chennai Super Kings, Albie Morkel’s move to Delhi in 2014 didn’t go as planned. Retained for his experience, he managed just 45 runs and four wickets across seven matches. His limited opportunities and lack of rhythm made his retention questionable. Morkel’s underwhelming stint reflected Delhi’s broader struggles during that period.
Rahul Giri Chief Football Correspondent, RevSportz
