IPL 2025 Auction: One Best Player Each Team Sadly Released

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant among the surprises in our list of one solid player released by each team ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. 

As soon as the IPL 2025 player retentions were announced by all 10 teams, one thing that stood out the most was the number of quality players that were released by teams. Given the restrictions surrounding the retentions where a maximum of six players were allowed to retain, teams were forced to release some of their key players. However, there were teams that released a lot of their quality players even after not utilizing the quota of six retentions. 

If we observe carefully, each team has released many quality players ahead of the Auction, but there is that one player whose release will hurt them the most, and if possible, teams would want to buy back those players using RTM cards. So, in this article, we take a look at one solid player each team has released ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. Please note that teams may or may not use RTM cards on these players. 

IPL 2025 One Solid Player Released by Each Team in Auction

#1: Gujarat Titans – Mohammed Shami

Starting with Gujarat Titans, one player who shouldn’t have been released, but was released by GT is Mohammed Shami. Shami has been one of the best pacers in the IPL in the last few years. But, injury ruled him out of IPL 2024, and he is still yet to recover completely. However, Shami is slated to regain fitness before IPL 2025, and that means, GT can still use the RTM card on him in the Auction. 

#2: Lucknow Super Giants – KL Rahul

The second team on the list is Lucknow Super Giants, who made a huge noise by releasing their Captain, and one of IPL’s legendary batters, KL Rahul. The LSG owner, Sanjiv Goenka categorically said while releasing KL Rahul that the team needs a player who can put the team ahead of individual milestones. With such a bold statement, it looks unlikely that LSG will use an RTM card on him even as LSG have two RTM cards left. 

#3: Chennai Super Kings – Devon Conway

For Chennai Super Kings, retentions felt on point, and even as the team released Devon Conway, they will most likely get him in the Auction via RTM card unless Rachin comes first, and CSK get Rachin at a lesser price. So, Conway’s release seems more from a value perspective as the management feels Conway could be bought back in the Auction at a lesser price. 

#4: Delhi Capitals – Rishabh Pant

Delhi Capitals shocked everyone after the team decided to leave out their Captain and supposedly their MVP, Rishabh Pant. It feels as if Pant wanted certain things including a higher wage. However, with management and Pant not agreeing on common ground, Pant decided to leave the franchise. Thankfully, Delhi Capitals can still get Pant back as they have two RTM cards left.  

#5: Kolkata Knight Riders – Shreyas Iyer

Just like Delhi Capitals, the release of Shreyas Iyer by the KKR management felt shocking, to say the least. Again, it mostly comes down to the price at which KKR management wanted to retain Shreyas Iyer, and Iyer not agreeing to it. With RTM cards already exhausted for KKR, it mostly seems that Shreyas Iyer isn’t coming back to KKR again, and a new home awaits the charismatic IPL-winning Captain 

#6: Mumbai Indians – Ishan Kishan

The Mumbai Indians team retained their core of five capped players, but unfortunately, it didn’t have their primary wicket-keeper, Ishan Kishan’s name on it. Kishan has been playing for Mumbai Indians for many years, but given the retention rules of retaining a maximum of 5 capped players, Kishan couldn’t find a place in the retentions. Unfortunately, MI can’t even use the RTM card on Kishan, and will have to buy at market price, if at all they wish to buy him.

#7: Rajasthan Royals – Jos Buttler

Rajasthan Royals retained 5 Indian players and 1 foreign player, but one player who has been a great match-winner for them, it is Jos Buttler. It is surprising to see Buttler not getting retained by Rajasthan Royals as he has not only been a great player for RR, but also is one of the most dangerous openers going around. While RR may not be able to use the RTM card on Buttler, it goes without saying that Buttler will be of the most expensive picks in the Auction.  

#8: Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Glenn Maxwell

Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained only three players, and all are Indians. The team didn’t retain any foreigners even as they had three solid names, Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, and Cameron Green. The team still has three RTM cards left, and one player who will be on their priority radar in the Auction, it is Glenn Maxwell. The big show has been a match-winner not just for RCB, but for the Aussies as well. Maxwell has also been playing for RCB for 6 seasons now, and understands the team DNA pretty well.

#9: Sunrisers Hyderabad – Washington Sundar

The Sunrisers Hyderabad team’s retentions looked on point as they retained their top 5 players without a doubt. But one player who was not even utilized by SRH properly, but is a part of the Indian team on a regular basis, it is Washington Sundar. Sundar is a superb all-rounder, whose capability wasn’t utilized properly by the SRH team while he was with them. With no RTM card left for SRH, it looks unlikely Sundar will come back to SRH again, but he will be one of the top players to watch out for in the Auction.

#10: Punjab Kings – Arshdeep Singh

Finally, talking about Punjab Kings, their intentions looked right on point having retained two uncapped players. The team did have many more quality capped players, but none of them was worthy enough for retaining for 18 Cr. With 4 RTM cards left, one such player on whom PBKS will mostly use the RTM card is Arshdeep Singh. Arshdeep is not only the leading bowler for PBKS, but also for the Indian team. Needless to say, he will be on PBKS’ top priority list in the Auction. 

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