IPL 2025: Rating teams based on their retentions and releases

1. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) finished last in IPL 2023 and they decided to revamp their squad ahead of IPL 2024. They brought in Pat Cummins for a whopping INR 20.50 crore at last year's auction and appointed him as the captain. Some other key players were added to the squad, including Travis Head, who formed a destructive opening duo with Abhishek Sharma. SRH reached the finals on the back of some brilliant performances from these three players and also the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen, while their teammates also chipped in.

The management kept Klaasen as their first retention with a record sum of INR 23 crore. No other player has been retained for this much amount in IPL history. Meanwhile, Cummins settled for INR 18 crore and would continue to lead the side. The flamboyant opening duo of Head and Abhishek have been retained for INR 14 crore each. Also, the talented Nitish Kumar Reddy will continue donning the Orange jersey for INR 6 crore.

Sunrisers will have INR 45 crore to spend at the auction. They will also have the chance to retain a player through the RTM card but he will have to be uncapped. It is expected that Abdul Samad will be brought back to the Orange Army with the RTM card.

Sunrisers have not had a quality wrist spinner in their ranks in the last couple of seasons. To acquire the services of a quality leg-spinner could be one of SRH's targets at the auction. The former champions already have an explosive lineup of players who can win matches on their own. Some clever decisions at the auction table could help them assemble an intimidating squad that could help them go the distance over the next three-year cycle.

Disclaimer: This article reflects expert opinions on team retentions and releases for IPL 2025. CricTracker does not endorse any team or player.