As the IPL 2025 season approaches, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has already begun preparations, with plans to retain some of their key players. According to reports from Cricinfo, SRH has decided to retain Heinrich Klaasen as their top priority for a whopping Rs 23 crore. The South African wicketkeeper-batsman was a standout player in IPL 2024 and will continue to play a vital role in the team’s future.
Pat Cummins and Abhishek Sharma Remain Core Players for SRH
Alongside Klaasen, SRH will retain their captain, Australian all-rounder Pat Cummins, for Rs 18 crore. Cummins led SRH to the finals last season and will continue as the captain for the upcoming season. This makes him one of the most valuable players in the history of the IPL, having been bought last season for Rs 20.5 crore, the second-highest amount ever paid for an IPL player.
Indian all-rounder Abhishek Sharma also remains a crucial part of the team’s strategy. Abhishek, who was one of the top performers last season with 484 runs, will be retained for Rs 14 crore. His excellent form and consistent performances have made him one of SRH’s most dependable players.
Possible Retention of Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy
In addition to these core players, SRH is considering retaining Australian batsman Travis Head and Indian uncapped player Nitish Kumar Reddy. Both players had a solid season last year, and their inclusion in the retention list would further strengthen the team. The deadline for player retention is set for October 31, 2024, with the IPL 2025 auction scheduled for later in the year.
New IPL Retention Rules
The retention policy for IPL 2025 allows teams to retain up to six players before the mega auction. Teams can keep a maximum of five international players and two uncapped players. This gives franchises more flexibility in building their squads ahead of the season.
Under the new retention rules, if a team retains five international players, they can only retain one uncapped Indian player. However, if a team retains four international players, they can keep two uncapped Indian players.
Financials of IPL Retention: SRH’s Budget Plans
The IPL purse limit for teams has been increased to Rs 120 crore, up from the previous Rs 100 crore. Teams will spend Rs 18 crore on their top retained player, Rs 14 crore on the second, and Rs 11 crore on the third. If SRH retains only three players, Rs 43 crore will be spent from their total purse.
For retaining a fourth player, an additional Rs 18 crore will be spent, while the fifth player retention will cost Rs 14 crore. Uncapped players will be retained at a relatively low cost of Rs 4 crore each.
If SRH retains five international players and one uncapped player, they will spend Rs 79 crore of their purse. On the other hand, retaining four international players and two uncapped players will cost them Rs 69 crore. If the team opts to retain only five international players, it will cost them Rs 75 crore, leaving them with Rs 45 crore to spend in the upcoming auction.
Klaasen’s Stellar IPL 2024 Performance
Heinrich Klaasen was one of SRH’s top performers last season, scoring 479 runs in 16 matches. His performances were crucial in SRH reaching the finals of IPL 2024, making him a top retention choice for the franchise. Abhishek Sharma, who scored 484 runs, also played a significant role in the team’s success.
With a strong core team of Klaasen, Cummins, and Abhishek Sharma, along with possible retentions of Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy, Sunrisers Hyderabad looks set to enter IPL 2025 with a well-balanced squad.
