Predicting 5 most expensive overseas player retentions for IPL 2025 ft. Sunil Narine

It is that time of year when even a packed international schedule takes a back seat to the IPL. While one franchise lifts the trophy at the end of May every year and the others reflect on their up and downswings over the two-month IPL season, the roots for all of it happen at the end of the previous year during retentions and the auction.

As the whole of India gets set to celebrate Diwali during the first half of October 31, the evening will have cricket fans glued to their television sets to witness the players the ten franchises retain ahead of the Mega Auction.

While only six players and five capped internationals can be retained, having no cap on Indian and overseas players allows the franchises greater flexibility. Some teams could go high on foreign stars based on their performances last season, while others will continue with the tried and tested formula of building their core around Indian players.

However, a closer look at the two finalists in IPL 2024 - SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) highlights the importance of retaining the key overseas players for the upcoming seasons.

With the prices being ₹ 18, 14, and 11 crores for three capped player retentions and another ₹ 18 and 14 crores for five capped player retentions, only the best foreign superstars will fetch the big bucks.

With under 24 hours to go for teams to finalize their retentions, we predict the five most expensive player retentions for IPL 2025.

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#1 Sunil Narine - KKR

Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders - IPL 2012 - Source: Getty

West Indian legend Sunil Narine has to be the first name that comes to mind when we think of KKR, even beyond the Indian players. Having been with the franchise since 2012, Narine was the star performer in KKR's third IPL title run earlier this year.

The 36-year-old picked up 17 wickets in 15 outings at an average of 21.64 and an economy of 6.69. While those numbers have almost become par for the course with Narine, his batting at the top of the order was the ultimate revelation.

The southpaw scored an incredible 488 runs at an average of 34.85 and a strike rate of 180.74, providing KKR blistering starts in the powerplay. Narine's heroics with bat and ball helped him win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for IPL 2024 as KKR enjoyed one of the greatest single-season performances in tournament history.

Even as ₹18 crores is the highest retention price listed by the IPL, it would be no surprise if KKR retained Narine at an even higher price upwards of ₹20 crores, considering his inimitable all-round impact.

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#2 Heinrich Klaasen - SRH

2024 IPL Qualifier 2 - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals - Source: Getty

There is no denying that the most valuable commodity other than an out-and-out all-rounder in an IPL side is the presence of a powerful and consistent middle-order batter. SRH has been fortunate to boast that in the form of Heinrich Klaasen over the past couple of seasons.

The 33-year-old followed up an excellent 2023 season with an equally impressive showing this year, scoring 479 runs at an average of almost 40 and a strike rate of 171.07.

Klaasen's belligerent batting in the middle order helped SRH break batting records for fun and eventually finish as runners-up. While a valid case can be made for Travis Head, Pat Cummins, and Klaasen as the highest prized retention for SRH, reports on the franchise making the South African dasher their top retention pick at a whooping ₹23 crores have grabbed headlines over the past two weeks.

Even though the prize is ₹5 crores higher than the minimum prize for the first retention, Klaasen is among the rare overseas stars worth every penny.

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#3 Nicholas Pooran - LSG

IPL 2024: Rajasthan Royals Vs Lucknow Super Giants In Jaipur - Source: Getty

It is hard to argue that there is anyone better in world cricket than West Indian Nicholas Pooran with the bat currently in T20s. With the ability to single-handedly change the course of a game regularly, the 29-year-old is smack-bang in the middle of his prime.

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) endured a down year missing the playoffs in IPL 2024 after finishing in the top four in the previous two editions. Yet, Pooran shone brightly amidst the otherwise dark tunnel, scoring 499 runs at an average of 62.37 and a strike rate of 178.21 in the 2024 season.

With very few high-prized retainable options and Pooran being among the most sought-after players in world cricket in the Klaasen mold, the franchise should undoubtedly go all-out to retain the West Indian bludgeoner as their top pick ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.

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#4 Rashid Khan - GT

Rajasthan Royals v Gujarat Titans - IPL 2023 - Source: Getty

The Gujarat Titans (GT) have been fortunate to boast the world's best T20 bowler, Rashid Khan in their ranks since their maiden season in 2022. The Afghanistan star helped the franchise win the title and finish runners-up in IPL 2022 and 2023 with 19 and 27 wickets, respectively.

While a return from injury prevented Rashid from showcasing his best in IPL 2024, he still finished with 10 wickets at an economy of under 8.50 while averaging over 20 at a 143.66 strike rate with the willow. Yet, the 26-year-old has slowly but surely returned to his best since.

The combination of a dependable wicket-taking bowler at any stage with the capability to finish off an innings with the bat should make Rashid a no-brainer first or second retention ( ₹18/14 crores) for GT.

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#5 Jos Buttler - RR

Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians - Source: Getty

Very few IPL franchises over the years have been synonymous with an overseas player and Jos Buttler and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) have been one such. Having been with RR since 2018, Buttler has been instrumental in their successful last three seasons, which included a runner-up and third-place finish in 2022 and 2024.

That a down 2024 IPL season for Buttler reads 359 runs at an average of almost 40 and a strike rate of 140.78 with two centuries demonstrates his invaluable impact at the top of the order for RR.

As the franchise looks to win its second IPL title, having come close in the last few seasons, retaining Buttler to form their core remains paramount.