The much-anticipated IPL 2025 retention list, released on Diwali, brought unexpected twists, especially for team captains. While some players secured lucrative contracts, several captains found themselves left out, taking a pay cut, or downgraded on the salary charts. Here’s a look at the major changes in IPL captains and the surprising financial shifts this season.
Five Captains Not Retained in IPL 2025
In a big shake-up, five of the ten IPL team captains from the previous season were not retained. The biggest shock came from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who decided not to retain Shreyas Iyer, even though he led the team to a championship. Iyer, who previously had a contract worth ₹12.25 crore, was not included in KKR’s retained list. Money seems to be a factor here, as KKR invested ₹13 crore in Rinku Singh, indicating they might have prioritized budget allocation differently this time.
Other captains facing a similar fate include:
- Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals): After returning from an injury last season and reclaiming his captaincy, Pant was expected to lead Delhi Capitals again. However, he wasn’t retained, sparking speculation about Delhi’s plans for the 2025 season.
- KL Rahul (Lucknow Supergiants): Rahul, who had led the Lucknow Supergiants since their IPL debut, is another surprise exclusion. Speculation arose after a controversial interaction last season between Rahul and team owner Sanjiv Goenka, with sources suggesting it may have influenced this decision.
- Shikhar Dhawan (Punjab Kings): Dhawan captained the Punjab Kings last season but has now retired, ruling him out of future retention.
- Faf du Plessis (Royal Challengers Bangalore): The 40-year-old du Plessis wasn’t retained by RCB, likely due to his age and the challenges in securing consistent form.
These changes signal a notable trend where IPL teams are re-evaluating the impact and cost of veteran leadership in favor of fresh strategies for the new season.
Captain’s Pay Cut: Pat Cummins’ Salary Reduced by ₹2.5 Crore
Not all retained captains emerged unscathed. Sunrisers Hyderabad, the 2024 IPL runner-up, retained their captain Pat Cummins but with a significant pay cut. Cummins’ salary has been reduced from ₹20.5 crore to ₹18 crore. This is a strategic financial shift, possibly aimed at balancing the team’s budget while retaining leadership. Notably, Heinrich Klaasen of the same team will earn ₹23 crore, suggesting a reshuffle in SRH’s top salaries.
Star Players Earning More Than Captains: Bumrah, Rashid Khan Lead
In a new trend, several teams have structured their pay scales to reward top performers over their captains. At Mumbai Indians, for instance, Jasprit Bumrah now holds the highest salary in the team with ₹18 crore. Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians captain, will receive ₹16.35 crore, putting him below Bumrah on the pay scale.
Here’s a quick overview of key salary changes among IPL stars:
- Mumbai Indians: Bumrah’s ₹18 crore tops Pandya’s ₹16.35 crore, and Rohit Sharma’s salary has been raised slightly to ₹16.3 crore.
- Gujarat Titans: Rashid Khan is set to earn ₹18 crore, surpassing captain Shubman Gill’s ₹16.5 crore. While Gill’s salary has not been reduced, the Titans have made Rashid Khan their highest-paid player.
The 2025 IPL retention list illustrates how franchise teams are making dynamic financial decisions, investing strategically in top-performing players while also balancing captaincy roles and budget priorities. The list shows that captaincy alone may no longer guarantee a team’s top salary, as franchises emphasize performance and potential for upcoming seasons.
Overall, the latest IPL retention list points to fresh priorities, and it’ll be fascinating to see how these changes impact the dynamics of the 2025 season.
