5 surprise retentions made by teams ahead of IPL 2025 auction ft. Ravindra Jadeja

Exciting times are in store for cricket fans ahead of the mega IPL 2025 auction. All ten teams submitted their retention lists on October 31, 2024, as we build up to the IPL 2025 auction.

While most franchises have tried to keep the nucleus of their squad the same as last season, the Punjab Kings have retained only two uncapped players ahead of the mega auction. Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals have used up all six of their retentions, while Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Titans have retained five players each.

On that note, here is a look at five surprise retentions made by teams ahead of the IPL 2025 auction:

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#1 Ravindra Jadeja -

The Indian all-rounder has been an integral part of CSK for a long time. However, it is surprising that the franchise retained him for a whopping Rs. 18 crores ahead of the IPL 2025 action.

Jadeja will turn 36 this December and announced his retirement from T20Is after India's World Cup triumph in the Caribbean and the USA. The fact that his retention amount is more than Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya is a bit of a surprise.

Jadeja had an ordinary IPL 2024 with the bat and picked up only eight wickets at an average of 46.13 and an economy rate of 7.85. It remains to be seen if Jadeja can justify his price tag in IPL 2025.

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#2 Dhruv Jurel -

The wicket-keeper has been retained by Rajasthan Royals for a whopping Rs. 14 crores. Jurel has been consistent in two IPL seasons for his franchise but is yet to set the stage on fire.

In 22 innings with the bat, Jurel has scored 347 runs at an average of 23.13 and a strike rate of 151.53. He bats lower down the order for his team and can provide the finishing touches to innings.

Although Jurel has had a decent IPL career to date, he is yet to justify his price tag of Rs. 14 crores. The franchise could have exercised the option of RTM card to retain Jurel instead of spending the said sum on the keeper-batter.

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#3 Shahrukh Khan -

Gujarat Titans have retained their middle-order batter Shahrukh Khan for IPL 2025. Khan is yet to showcase his match-winning abilities on the IPL stage.

In 2024, Khan played seven matches for his team and scored 127 runs at an average of 18.14 and a strike rate of 169.33. Though his strike rate is astounding, he has lacked consistency in the middle order. In 38 IPL innings, he has scored 553 runs at an average of just 19.75.

Khan has been retained for a sum of Rs. 4 crores ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. It is a bit surprising that the franchise has retained the middle-order batter, considering the fact that his performances in the IPL have been ordinary to date.

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#4 Shimron Hetmyer -

Shimron Hetymer has been retained for Rs. 11 crores ahead of IPL 2024 auction

Hetmyer is a dangerous middle-order batter, especially in the death overs. Rajasthan Royals, however, failed to utilize the West Indian batter in the right manner last season.

He batted on nine occasions in IPL 2024 and scored 113 runs at an average of 22.60 and a strike rate of 163.77. He had a top score of 27* last season. After failing to make the most of Hetmyer in the last IPL season, it is baffling that the franchise has retained him for a sum of Rs. 11 crores.

Hetmyer has failed to make it to the playing XI of the Windies team in the shortest format in recent matches and will have to play out of his skin to justify the price tag.

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#5 Mayank Yadav -

The India pacer was the find of IPL 2024, picking up seven wickets in four matches before being ruled out due to an injury.

Yadav can rattle opposition batters with his raw pace. He made his T20I debut against Bangladesh earlier this month. Post that series, Yadav has been injured again.

Although undoubtedly talented, the pacer is injury-prone and is yet to perform consistently on the big stage. It is therefore surprising that Lucknow Super Giants have retained him for Rs. 11 crores ahead of IPL 2025 action.

Yadav will be hoping to remain fit for the entire season and repay the faith shown in him by the management.

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