6 Retained players who must prove their worth in the league

The ten teams had collectively retained a total of 46 players, investing a cumulative INR 558.5 crore players ahead of the IPL 2025. The defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and inaugural season champions Rajasthan Royals have opted for full retentions, securing six players each. Five teams—Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, and Sunrisers Hyderabad—have retained five players. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings (PBKS) have retained four, three, and two players, respectively. Let's look at the six retained players who need to justify their huge price tag in IPL 2025: 6. Heinrich Klaasen (SRH: INR 23 crore) Heinrich Klaasen. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) retained Klaasen for a record-breaking INR 23 crore, making him the most expensive retained player in IPL history. Klaasen scored 479 runs across 16 matches in IPL 2024, boasting a strike rate of 171.07. He was retained for more price than Pat Cummins and Travis Head before the auction and despite all of them having good performances in 2024 Sunrisers have placed their faith in Klaasen. With such a hefty price tag, there will be pressure on the Proteas cricketer to justify it. The South African wicketkeeper-batter did not have a great year in T20Is in 2024 scoring 278 runs in 15 T20I matches for South Africa at an average of 25 and a strike rate of 128. He will be keen to have a good season in the IPL and will be keen to prove that he is the best batter in this format. 5. Nicholas Pooran (LSG: INR 21 crore) Nicholas Pooran. (Source -Getty Images) Nicholas Pooran played for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), scoring 499 runs in 14 matches at an average of 62.38 and a strike rate of 178.21, including three fifties, and was the leading run-getter for the side last season. He also captained them in the absence of KL Rahul and was one of the most impactful players from the side. It was a no-brainer that he would be retained by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2025. Nicholas Pooran was retained for 21 crore making him the second-most expensive retention, alongside RCB's Virat Kohli. He will be under pressure to deliver. Pooran recently played for MI Emirates in ILT20 where he could go past 50 only twice in the last ten innings. He will be keen to start the season well for Lucknow and have a good season. 4. Dhruv Jurel (RR: INR 14 crore) Dhruv Jurel. (Source - Getty Images) Dhruv Jurel was retained by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for IPL 2025 at a price of INR 14 crore and was the biggest gainer ahead of the mega auction. He was brought at a price that is 70 times more than his earnings in 2024. Jurel was first picked up by RR in 2021 but made his impact in IPL 2022, scoring 152 runs at a strike rate of 172.73 as an impact player. The Agra-born did not have the best of IPL 2024 having managed 195 runs in 15 matches at an average of 24 and a strike rate of 138. The youngster also made his T20I debut for India in 2024 but could not do much as he scored 12 runs in 4 T20I matches. He will be keen to justify his retention and has made a perfect start to the 2025 season scoring 70 against SRH in their first game. 3. Shimron Hetmyer (RR: INR 11 crore) Shimron Hetmyer's Wicket ( Source : X / Twitter ) Shimron Hetmyer was retained by RR for INR 11 crores before the IPL 2025 auction. This retention raised a lot of eyebrows. Fans and experts were questioning the move to retain the Caribbean ahead of Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal. The Southpaw did not have a good IPL 2024 as he could amass only 113 runs in 12 matches at an average of 22. The West Indies cricketer also has not been able to find a place in the national T20I side regularly. The Royals have shown a lot of faith in him, and he will be keen to repay the faith and justify his high price tag. 2. Ravindra Jadeja (CSK: INR 18 crore) Ravindra-Jadeja. (Photo Source: Twitter/X) Ravindra Jadeja was retained by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for INR 18 crores ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The all-rounder, who has 2,959 runs and 160 wickets in the IPL, was picked by the CSK franchise in 2012 and has played for the side since, except the two seasons, 2016 and 2017, where it was not part of the tournament. Jadeja being the main left arm spinner for CSK did not have a good season last year picking up only 8 wickets in 14 matches. He also could not perform in the T20 World Cup 2024 and now that he has been retained for 18 crores, the spotlight will be on Ravindra Jadeja to prove his price tag. 1. Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK: INR 18 crore) Ruturaj-Gaikwad. (Photo Source: IPL/X) Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was appointed as CSK's captain ahead of IPL 2024 has been a key player for the team, and his retention is a strategic move by CSK. He was retained by CSK for 18 crore and was the first retention pick by the side ahead of IPL 2025. This is a big season for Ruturaj Gaikwad both as a captain and batter. CSK failed to qualify in the previous edition and will be looking to bounce back. Ruturaj has been a reliable batter and the onus will be on him to have a good season with the bat. He started IPL 2025 in fine form as he notched up a quality half century against Mumbai Indians in his opening match and helped his side pick up a win.

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6 Retained players who must prove their worth in the league

Sunrisers Hyderabad retained Klaasen for a record-breaking ₹23 crore

4. Dhruv Jurel (RR: INR 14 crore)

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