IPL 2025 All Teams Highest Paid Retained Players 11

The costliest XI players in focus in our best retained players playing 11 among all 10 teams ahead of IPL 2025 Mega Auction.

The IPL 2025 retention rules have already created a lot of buzz given the way the retentions are going to happen. In a historic move, BCCI created many new changes in the rules. For example, BCCI has now removed the restriction on retaining either Indian players or Overseas players. So, teams are free to retain or RTM all Indian or all Overseas players. Similarly, a new category of uncapped player rule is added where a player will be considered as uncapped if he hasn’t played any International match for more than 5 years.

Also, there has been a big change in purse utilization for each player. For example, first retention will block 18 Cr for a team. The second retention will block 14 Cr, the third retention will block 11 Cr, the fourth will be similar to the first with 18 Cr being blocked, and the fifth retention will block 14 Cr. Whereas uncapped player retention will cost 11 Cr. These interesting changes coupled with the budget utilization for each player have made the pre-IPL 2025 retentions quite interesting. 

Given the retention rules, if any team plans to retain even one capped player, the team will have to min block 18 Cr, irrespective of the amount they give to that player. Overall, if we observe teams, except for Punjab Kings, almost every other team has at least one player that will be retained for 18 Cr. Hence, if we were to find playing 11 of the most expensive retained player, that should cost roughly around 200 Cr. So, let’s analyze the teams, and find out the highest-paid retained players playing 11 ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. 

IPL 2025 Highest Paid Retained Players 11 Explained

Finding a playing 11 among the highest paid predicted retained players, we will have to look for openers, middle-order batters, finishers, all-rounders, and bowlers who will paid the highest retention amount. Thankfully, we do have 11 such players who will get at least 14 Cr as the retention amount. Starting with the two solid openers, we have Shubman Gill from Gujarat Titans, and KL Rahul from LSG. Both these players are the Captains of their respective teams, and are likely to retain under the highest price bracket of 18 Cr.

Coming to middle-order, we have Virat Kohli from RCB, Sanju Samson from RR, and Shreyas Iyer from KKR. Virat Kohli is still the number 1 batter for RCB. Whereas Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer are the captains of their respective franchises. All these three play a huge role in the IPL, and thus should see retention under the highest-price bracket. However, there could be a scenario where Iyer and Samson get less amount, but their blocked amount still remains at 18 Cr. 

Talking about the finishers and all-rounders, we have Rishabh Pant from Delhi Capitals, Hardik Pandya from MI, and Ravindra Jadeja from CSK. While Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya are for sure going to get 18 Cr, there could be a toss up between Ravindra Jadeja and Ruturaj Gaikwad to get the highest bracket of 18 Cr. But if we look at what each player brings to the table, Ravindra Jadeja deserves 18 Cr more than Ruturaj Gaikwad. 

Highest Paid Bowlers for IPL 2025

Now, if we talk about the top 3 bowlers who are expected to get the highest amount, we are looking at Jasprit Bumrah from MI, Pat Cummins from SRH, and Rashid Khan from GT. Bumrah is undoubtedly the best pacer in the world, and so is Rashid Khan, the best spinner. Bumrah may get 18 Cr as the fourth retention for MI. Whereas Rashid should get 14 Cr as the second retention. Meanwhile, Cummins, who led SRH to the final can actually see retention at the highest price of 18 Cr.  

IPL 2025 Highest Paid Retained Players 11 for All 10 Teams

1. KL Rahul – 18 Cr
2. Shubman Gill – 18 Cr
3. Virat Kohli – 18 Cr
4. Sanju Samson – 18 Cr
5. Shreyas Iyer – 18 Cr
6. Rishabh Pant – 18 Cr
7. Hardik Pandya – 18 Cr
8. Ravindra Jadeja – 18 Cr
9. Rashid Khan – 14 Cr
10. Pat Cummins – 18 Cr
11. Jasprit Bumrah – 18 Cr

So, that’s about the highest paid retained players 11 for all 10 teams for IPL 2025. Overall, to retain these 11 players, teams will have to spend INR 194 Cr. But the good thing is, we are getting two solid openers, a rock-solid middle-order, brilliant finishers, two fantastic bowlers, multiple wicket-keeping options, and 5 bowling options overall. Also, the side has only two Overseas players, thus sticking to our rule of a maximum of 4 Overseas players. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your take on the retained players 11 for all 10 teams for IPL 2025? Please share your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.