No Rohit Sharma or MS Dhoni ! Here’s the best playing XI after IPL 2025 retention

On Thursday (October 31), the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retention lists were unveiled, revealing which players will continue with their respective franchises for the upcoming season. All ten teams—Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants, Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals—have made their decisions public.

Key details and importance of retention lists

• Total Franchise Purse: Each team has a budget of Rs 120 crore for the season.
• Retention Strategy: Teams have strategically chosen to retain players based on their performance and potential contributions for the next season. The amounts for retained players will be deducted from each franchise’s total purse, impacting their spending power in the upcoming auction.

The retention lists play a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of the upcoming IPL season. By retaining key players, franchises aim to maintain team chemistry and strengthen their chances of success. Conversely, unretained players will enter the auction pool, offering opportunities for other teams to bolster their rosters. As teams gear up for the 2025 season, the strategic choices made in these retention lists will undoubtedly have significant implications for team composition and performance in the tournament.

Here’s the best playing XI after IPL 2025 retention

Top Order

1. Travis Head (Left-Handed Batter)

• Retention Price: Rs 14 crore
• Role: Aggressive opener
• Performance in 2024: 567 runs in 15 matches, averaging 40.50 with a strike rate of 191.55
• Strength: Head has shown impressive power-hitting with 64 fours and 32 sixes, making him a reliable aggressive opener.
• Key Contribution: His century (102) showcases his ability to anchor innings while maintaining a high strike rate, invaluable in setting the tone early.

2. Sanju Samson (Right-Handed Batter, Wicketkeeper and Captain)

• Retention Price: Rs 18 crore
• Role: Keeper and No. 2 batter
• Performance in 2024: 531 runs in 15 matches, average of 48.27, SR of 153.47
• Strength: Sanju’s consistency, including five fifties, has been key, providing stability alongside attacking prowess.
• Contribution: His flexibility as a wicketkeeper and top-order batter adds balance, evident in his 86-run highest score and six catches.

3. Virat Kohli (Right-Handed Batter)

• Retention Price: Rs 21 crore
• Role: Anchor at No. 3
• Performance in 2024: 741 runs in 15 matches, with an average of 61.75 and SR of 154.70
• Strength: Kohli’s remarkable consistency, including a century and five fifties, reinforces his value as a chase master.
• Contribution: His skill in handling high-pressure situations keeps the team stable if early wickets fall.

Also READ: Indian Premier League: Date and venue confirmed for the IPL 2025 mega auction

Middle Order

4. Nicholas Pooran (Left-Handed Batter)

• Retention Price: Rs 21 crore
• Role: Explosive middle-order hitter
• Performance in 2024: 499 runs in 14 matches, averaging 62.38, SR of 178.21
• Strength: Pooran’s ability to accelerate with 36 sixes and 35 fours in the middle order provides depth.
• Contribution: His consistent, high-impact contributions at a high strike rate help turn games around in the middle overs.

5. Riyan Parag (Right-Handed Batter, Off-spin All-Rounder)

• Retention Price: Rs 14 crore
• Role: Finisher and part-time bowler
• Performance in 2024: 573 runs in 15 matches, average of 52.09, SR of 149.22
• Bowling: Limited to just 18 balls, yet to take a wicket.
• Strength: As a finisher, Parag’s 33 sixes show his finishing power.
• Contribution: Valuable lower-order hitter, though needs to develop bowling consistency to add flexibility.

6. Rinku Singh (Left-Handed Batter)

• Retention Price: Rs 13 crore
• Role: Lower middle-order finisher
• Performance in 2024: 168 runs in 14 matches, averaging 18.67, SR of 148.67
• Strength: Despite modest totals, Rinku’s ability to play impactful knocks late in innings adds strategic depth.
• Contribution: Known for clutch performances, but could aim for consistency.

7. Andre Russell (Right-Handed Batter, Fast-Bowling All-Rounder)

• Retention Price: Rs 12 crore
• Role: Finisher and pace-bowling all-rounder
• Performance in 2024: 222 runs with a strike rate of 185.00, and 19 wickets
• Bowling: Excellent death-over option with an economy of 10.06.
• Strength: Russell’s ability to both score rapidly and contribute in death bowling makes him a high-impact player.

Bowling Attack

8. Rashid Khan (Leg-Spinner)

• Retention Price: Rs 18 crore
• Role: Strike bowler and No. 8 batter
• Performance in 2024: 10 wickets in 12 matches with an economy of 8.40
• Strength: Though less prolific, Rashid’s economical spells and wicket-taking ability remain a key asset.
• Contribution: Adds control and variety to the bowling attack, while his batting offers lower-order stability.

9. Jasprit Bumrah (Right-Arm Fast Bowler)

• Retention Price: Rs 18 crore
• Role: Lead fast bowler
• Performance in 2024: 20 wickets in 13 matches with an economy of 6.48
• Strength: Bumrah’s outstanding death-bowling skills and wicket-taking abilities make him irreplaceable.
• Contribution: His control at both ends of the innings ensures balanced bowling support.

10. Varun Chakaravarthy (Mystery Spinner)

• Retention Price: Rs 12 crore
• Role: Middle-overs enforcer
• Performance in 2024: 21 wickets in 15 matches, economy of 8.04
• Strength: Varun’s mystery spin has effectively contained runs and taken wickets in the middle overs.
• Contribution: His 14.29 strike rate underlines his effectiveness as a breakthrough bowler.

11. Matheesha Pathirana (Right-Arm Fast Bowler)

• Retention Price: Rs 13 crore
• Role: Supporting pacer and death-over specialist
• Performance in 2024: 13 wickets in 6 matches with an economy of 7.68
• Strength: Pathirana’s unique action and death-bowling precision have made him a rising star.
• Contribution: Complements Bumrah well, especially during tight finishes, adding unpredictability.

12th Man

Suryakumar Yadav (Right-Handed Batter)

• Role: Backup middle-order option and fielding substitute
• Strength: Known for his dynamic 360-degree stroke play, Suryakumar is an ideal impact player, able to accelerate at will.

Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni: Reasons for exclusion from the best XI

Rohit Sharma’s performance

Rohit Sharma has been a prominent figure in IPL, known for his explosive batting and leadership. However, his 2024 performance raises some concerns. With 417 runs in 14 matches, he has an average of 32.08 and a strike rate of 150.00, which includes a high score of 105*. While he scored a century, his average indicates a lack of consistent big scores, which is crucial for a top-order batter. Furthermore, with only one fifty to accompany his century, it suggests that he has struggled to convert starts into substantial innings frequently. His performance, though highlighted by a century, hasn’t been consistently impactful enough to secure a spot in the best eleven.

MS Dhoni’s current role

MS Dhoni, despite being a legendary cricketer, is now playing in a more limited capacity in his later career. In 2024, he scored 161 runs in 14 matches, maintaining an impressive average of 53.67 due to his ability to finish innings. Nevertheless, his overall contribution in terms of runs remains relatively low, with a highest score of 37*. Dhoni’s batting role has transitioned to that of a finisher, and although he has demonstrated effectiveness in this role, the team requires players who can consistently build innings. Furthermore, with the shift in batting dynamics and a focus on power-hitting, Dhoni’s strike rate of 220.55, while outstanding, often comes in lower-order scenarios, limiting his opportunities to contribute significantly.

Also READ: IPL 2025 Retention: Complete list of players retained with their price