The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to release the official retention and release guidelines for IPL franchises ahead of the 2025 auction, but rumors have already surfaced about team preferences. It’s anticipated that the BCCI will limit teams to keeping no more than 6 players, including the Right To Match option. However, some franchises are pushing to retain up to 8 players. The future of MS Dhoni remains uncertain, leading Chennai Super Kings to suggest the BCCI reintroduce a previous rule.
Speculation has already begun about which players teams are looking to keep, but with only 5-6 spots available, several star players may find themselves released.
Here’s a look at 5 major cricketing stars who could be released before the mega auction:
Rohit Sharma: Arguably the biggest name on the list, Rohit Sharma could be released by Mumbai Indians following last season’s events. In a leaked conversation with Abhishek Nayar, Rohit was overheard mentioning that the 2024 season might be his last. With Hardik Pandya now leading MI, it seems likely that Rohit could be looking for a new franchise in IPL 2025.
KL Rahul: Lucknow Super Kings are reportedly seeking new leadership, as KL Rahul’s captaincy and playing style have faced criticism. Rahul, who is no longer part of India’s T20I squad, may end up back with his home team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Faf du Plessis: The RCB captain had a lackluster season last year. At 40, du Plessis’ T20 peak seems to be behind him. With the 2025 auction providing RCB a chance to revamp, the team may look for a new captain and release du Plessis.
Venkatesh Iyer: With KKR having a strong pool of talent to retain, such as Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer may find himself in a difficult spot ahead of the auction.
Glenn Maxwell: After a disappointing 2024 season, RCB might release Maxwell, opting to spend the INR 14.25 crore on a more consistent performer. Maxwell could soon be searching for a new team in IPL 2025.