A look at all the uncapped players the IPL franchises are looking to retain ahead of the IPL 2025 retention deadline on October 31.
As IPL teams finalize their strategies ahead of the 2025 season’s player retention deadline on October 31, franchises are securing valuable uncapped players who can provide fresh energy and cost-effective options.
Under IPL’s revised rules, each team can retain up to six players, including a maximum of two uncapped players through direct retention or using the Right to Match (RTM) option.
Here’s a look at some uncapped players each franchise is expected to retain heading into the IPL 2025 Retention Deadline:
CSK is banking on the iconic MS Dhoni as their uncapped retention.
Dhoni’s retention keeps the CSK brand rooted in tradition and appeals to its fanbase. He is also going strong in terms of his batting ability as he amassed 161 runs last season at an astonishing strike-rate of 220.55, all while batting mostly at No.7.
KKR have retained Harshit Rana and Ramandeep Singh. Harshit’s growth as a bowler, especially his adaptability in tight games, complements KKR’s established stars. He played a pivotal role in their title-winning campaign last season, picking up 19 wickets.
Ramandeep also has shown all-round potential. His presence in the batting line-up makes KKR’s middle-order stronger. He bats after Rinku Singh and Andre Russell and that gives the team an extra cushion in terms of death overs hitting. Ramandeep amassed 125 runs last season at an excellent strike-rate of 201.61.
Mumbai Indians have opted to not retain any uncapped player.
Instead they are going with one RTM into the auction.
Like Mumbai Indians, SRH haven’t retained any uncapped player either.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
DC has retained Abishek Porel. The young wicketkeeper-batter brings an explosive batting range at the top of the order and energy and quick reflexes behind the stumps, a significant asset in a team focused on future-proofing its core.
The 21-year-old impressed a lot last season as he amassed 327 runs at a strike-rate of 159.51. He also scored two fifties, and that sums of the kind of player he is becoming. Delhi would surely want to retain him, not just for his batting ability but also because he serves as an excellent wicket-keeping backup for Rishabh Pant.
RCB, historically dependent on star players, have used their uncapped retention on Yash Dayal for INR 5 crorers. Dayal’s left-arm pace adds diversity to the bowling attack, a component RCB has aimed to strengthen in recent seasons.
After a poor stint with Gujarat Titans, Dayal was a revelation for RCB in IPL 2024 as his standout bowling helped them to qualify for the Playoffs. Dayal picked up 15 wickets in the 14 games that he played last season. He was exceptional with the new ball and pretty effective in the middle and death overs as well.
For PBKS, uncapped retentions of Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh bring batting depth. Their batting aggression suits PBKS’s high-scoring strategy and the duo was really a revelation last season.
Both players played some crucial match-winning cameos that served their IPL stocks really well. Shashank scored 354 runs last season at an impress average and strike-rate of 44.25 and 164.65 respectively. Prabhsimran, on the other hand, brings top-order aggression and wicket-keeping value to the table.
RR have retained Sandeep Sharma as their uncapped player. Although Sandeep has already played for India, he hasn’t done so in years, which brings him under the Uncapped Player category under new rules.
His bowling experience can guide younger players and provide crucial breakthroughs during the powerplay, essential for RR’s bowling-heavy tactics. Sandeep played an important role for RR last season, picking up 13 wickets in 11 games. He bowled really well in all phases and RR will certainly look to retain him.
GT’s uncapped retentions include Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia, who have both been game-changers in previous IPL seasons. Their ability to finish games and hold their nerve under pressure makes them essential parts of GT’s lineup, especially in tight finishes.
Tewatia has played many match-winning cameos as a finisher. His presence adds reliability down the order and his performances were one of the main reasons why GT played both finals in IPL 2022 and 2023. Shahrukh, who struggled in the finishing role at Punjab Kings, found new life as a middle-order batter last season at Gujarat Titans.
LSG have secured Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan as uncapped players. Badoni’s aggressive batting and Mohsin’s impressive pace bowling provide LSG with depth in terms of reliable Indian players.
Badoni has played 42 matches for LSG so far, scoring 634 runs, including four fifties. Mohsin has also been really impressive with his left-arm pace, picking up 27 wickets in the 23 games he has played for them in these three years.
As teams weigh their strategies, balancing budgets and maintaining a strong lineup core remains a challenge. With the auction approaching in November or December, the uncapped player retention choices reflect each team’s broader tactical goals, creating a foundation of promising talent as franchises prepare to compete in IPL 2025.
