IPL 2025 Teams Face Retention and Budget Challenges

As the IPL 2025 mega auction approaches, franchises are finalizing their player retention strategies ahead of the October 31 deadline, with each team allowed to retain up to six players, including uncapped options. Kolkata Knight Riders face significant decisions, particularly concerning captain Shreyas Iyer, who may leave due to salary disagreements, though the Right-to-Match option could see him return. Harbhajan Singh suggests KKR should retain core players like Iyer, Russell, Narine, Salt, and uncapped Ramandeep Singh to maintain their competitive edge. Similarly, teams like Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals are contemplating retaining key players to strengthen their squads, while Lucknow Super Giants are considering maintaining top performers such as KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran. The increased budget cap of INR 120 crore adds complexity to the retention decisions, making strategic player selection crucial for each franchise's success.