IPL 2025 will be the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League. This edition will once again see major changes across different teams in the tournament. The BCCI has confirmed that this year will be another year for a mega auction, and teams will have to let go of all of their players. The retention rights have not been decided by the BCCI as of yet.
The last edition of the IPL saw many greats of the game who could not perform according to their standards, and many highly anticipated talents underperformed as well. Before the mega auction, most of the squad will be released, and now we will take a look at the greatest five players who have been continuing to feature for the franchises or the same franchise over all these years in the IPL but might not be seen any further on the field.
IPL 2025: Greats not likely to be retained
5 Legendary Players Who Might Not Be Retained in the IPL 2025
Ravindra Jadeja
The CSK all-rounder acquires a breathtaking salary of INR 16 crore. This would not be the amount the Chennai side would look to have even their star all-rounder for. Jadeja retired from international T20s after an individually clumsy T20 World Cup campaign.
Jadeja is now not one of the best or most dependable players with the willow, while he is often seen not even completing his quota of 4 overs. Even if CSK looked to acquire their veteran, that would be only at the mega auction or an RTM at a far lower price.
Faf du Plessis
The RCB opening batter and skipper are not very likely to make it to the team’s retained players list. Faf, who has long retired from international cricket, has not had the best of seasons in the IPL last year, and hence RCB might not look to retain him for sure.
Especially with reports suggesting that KL Rahul will be appointed to the role of RCB skipper if the franchise acquires him in 2025. Faf is surely not on their retained list; however, he might still be included in the RCB squad.
David Warner
This will be the second time in his IPL career that Warner might not be retained by his side. The great Aussie batter has seen the most successful years in his IPL career with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Warner, however, moved to the Delhi Capitals for the last couple of editions.
Warner did not perform well in the last edition and was dropped off the side several times, and now, with young Jake Fraser-McGurk on the Delhi side and Ponting having parted ways with the Capitals, Warner is no longer likely to feature under the Capitals shirt.
Warner might be included by any other team in the IPL with the likes of the Gujarat Titans, as they in this mega auction will look to consolidate their team’s batting department.
Rohit Sharma
The ex-MI skipper and World Cup-winning T20I skipper, Rohit Sharma, might not like to be retained by his years-long franchise. The franchise didn’t give the veteran the respect he deserved after winning five IPL titles with them, making him the most successful skipper in T20s after legendary MS Dhoni.
India’s third World Cup-winning skipper will look to enter the auction for the for the first time since 2011, as he will look at how much it is worth among other teams. As per reports, Rohit is already awaiting to be picked by the Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals. Rohit might be in new colors, yet he will continue to be the hitman every fan loves to watch.
MS Dhoni
Veteran, legend, or what else—but all seems to light for this name, as MS Dhoni, or Chennai’s ‘Thala’ as they often refer to him, is an emotion in itself. The legendary India captain is considered one of the most successful captains in cricket’s history, only behind Ricky Ponting.
However, Dhoni remains the only skipper to lift the World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions Trophy in all of the ICC’s white-ball tournaments, which is a rare feat achieved only by the ex-India skipper.
CSK are never in terms of letting go of their beloved player, as he remains one of the best brains of the game. Even Dhoni announced nothing about his retirement; however, it can likely be confirmed that he will not be retained any further for sure.
If Dhoni discontinues playing field games any further, this will be a heartbreaking moment for fans around the globe. Still, every good comes to an end, and this might be curtains drawn on the legend’s career.