Exclusive: IPL 2025 Most Expensive Salary Retained Players 11

Heinrich Klaasen and Virat Kohli, the most paid in our most expensive retained players playing 11 ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction.

As soon as the IPL 2025 retentions were announced, one thing that stood out the most was the prices at which the players have been retained. Given the change in retention rules, the IPL 2025 Retentions saw some record-breaking prices at which some players have been retained. Even though BCCI set 18 Cr as the amount for the first retention, there were a few players who were retained for more than 18 Cr too.

If we look at the IPL 2025 player retentions, a total of 46 players have been retained by the 10 Franchises. Of these 46 players, we have 10 players who have been offered 18 Cr or more as the retention amount. Heinrich Klaasen and Virat Kohli have been offered the highest retention rate, 23 and 21 Cr, among overseas and Indian retained players. That’s a staggering step up from IPL 2022 retentions where the maximum amount that was being offered was 17 Cr to KL Rahul.

With such a hefty salary being offered, the next logical question that comes is which players have been offered the highest salaries this season. More so, how about we take a look at 11 such players who have been paid the highest amount, and will form the most expensive playing 11 among retained players? So, to find the playing 11, we will look at 5 most expensive batters, 1 most expensive wicket-keeper, and at least 5 most expensive bowlers. 

IPL 2025 Most Expensive Retained Players 11 Explained

Starting with the openers, we have the two most expensive openers: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad. While Yashasvi Jaiswal has been retained by Rajasthan Royals for 18 Cr, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been retained by Chennai Super Kings for 18 Cr. In terms of capabilities, Yashasvi is already the leading batter in the Indian T20I team. Whereas Ruturaj Gaikwad is the Captain of the CSK team, and has been a consistent batter in the IPL. 

Coming to the middle-order we have Virat Kohli at 3, who is the most expensive Indian player retained by RCB for 21 Cr. Then we have Sanju Samson, who has been retained by Rajasthan Royals for 18 Cr. Similarly, we have Nicholas Pooran, who has been retained by Lucknow Super Giants for 21 Cr. Surprisingly, these three teams, didn’t find value in retaining their match-winners, Glenn Maxwell, Jos Buttler, and KL Rahul. 

For the finishing options and all-rounders, we are looking at Heinrich Klaasen, who is the most expensive player for 23 Cr having been retained by SRH. Then we have two solid all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel retained by Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals respectively. While Ravindra Jadeja has been retained by 18 Cr, Axar Patel isn’t far behind at 16.5 Cr. 

Finally, for the bowling, we have two all-rounders that we already discussed, and three primary bowlers in the form of Pat Cummins, Rashid Khan, and Jasprit Bumrah. It’s a coincidence or whatever one can say, but all three bowlers have been retained at a value of 18 Cr by their respective franchises. While Bumrah and Rashid are the world’s best pacer and spinner respectively, Pat Cummins has been retained mostly for his leadership. 

IPL 2025 Most Expensive Retained Players Playing 11 

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal – 18 Cr
2. Ruturaj Gaikwad – 18 Cr
3. Virat Kohli – 21 Cr
4. Sanju Samson – 18 Cr
5. Nicholas Pooran – 21 Cr
6. Heinrich Klaasen – 23 Cr
7. Ravindra Jadeja – 18 Cr
8. Axar Patel – 16.35 Cr
9. Rashid Khan – 18 Cr
10. Pat Cummins – 18 Cr
11. Jasprit Bumrah – 18 Cr

So, that’s about the most expensive retained players 11 for IPL 2025. As we see, this is only the most expensive costing 197.35 Cr, but also an ideal playing 11 if these guys play together. The team literally has the best batter, Virat Kohli, the best finisher Heinrich Klaasen, and two best bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Rashid Khan.   

© IPLadda