IPL 2025: Complete Team Squads, Transfers, and Auction Updates

IPL 2025: Complete Team Squads, Transfers, and Auction Updates

The 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) ushered in a new era of cricketing excitement, marked by strategic team compositions, high-profile player acquisitions, and significant changes in franchise leadership. This article delves into the comprehensive details of team squads, major transfers, and auction highlights that defined IPL 2025.

The IPL 2025 season featured ten franchises, each bolstering their squads with a mix of retained players, new signings, and strategic trades. Chennai Super Kings, led by MS Dhoni, maintained a core group of experienced players complemented by strategic acquisitions to strengthen their lineup. Delhi Capitals, under the leadership of Rishabh Pant, focused on building a balanced squad with a mix of youth and experience. Gujarat Titans continued their strategy of nurturing young talent, with Hardik Pandya at the helm, aiming for a blend of aggression and stability. Kolkata Knight Riders, led by Shreyas Iyer, made significant changes to their squad, focusing on strengthening their middle order and bowling attack. Mumbai Indians, under Rohit Sharma, retained their core group while adding fresh talent to maintain their competitive edge. Punjab Kings, with Shikhar Dhawan as captain, aimed to build a squad capable of challenging for the title, focusing on both batting depth and bowling variety. Rajasthan Royals, led by Sanju Samson, continued their tradition of promoting young talent, complemented by experienced internationals. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with Virat Kohli at the forefront, aimed to balance their aggressive batting lineup with a robust bowling attack. Sunrisers Hyderabad, under Aiden Markram, focused on building a squad with a strong bowling unit and explosive batting options. Lucknow Super Giants, captained by KL Rahul, aimed to continue their upward trajectory with a balanced squad.

The IPL 2025 auction, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was a spectacle of strategic buys and surprising bids. One of the most notable acquisitions was Rishabh Pant moving to Lucknow Super Giants for a record ₹27 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL history. Following closely was Shreyas Iyer, joining Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore, adding depth to their middle order and leadership options. Venkatesh Iyer’s move to Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹23.75 crore strengthened KKR’s lineup with his all-round abilities. Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal, both acquired by Punjab Kings for ₹18 crore each, bolstered the team’s bowling department, ensuring tactical advantages across different formats. These acquisitions reflected each franchise’s strategic approach to building a competitive squad for the season.

The 2025 season also saw several key player transfers and leadership changes that impacted team dynamics. Pant’s transfer from Delhi Capitals to Lucknow Super Giants brought leadership experience and wicketkeeping skills to LSG, while Shreyas Iyer’s shift from KKR to PBKS added stability and experience to Punjab’s middle order. KL Rahul’s appointment as LSG captain marked a new chapter for the franchise, aiming to build on their previous successes. Similarly, Aiden Markram’s captaincy at SRH was a strategic move to balance aggression and stability within their squad. These changes were pivotal in shaping the strategies and performances of the respective teams during the season.

Retention rules for IPL 2025 allowed each franchise to retain a maximum of six players, including up to five capped players and two uncapped players. Teams could also use the Right-to-Match (RTM) card to buy back players they had released, provided they had the available budget. This mechanism ensured that teams could maintain core players while refreshing their squads with new talent, maintaining a competitive balance across the league.

Franchises approached the auction with varied strategies. Chennai Super Kings focused on experience, retaining their core group and making selective buys to strengthen their squad. Delhi Capitals emphasized acquiring young talent to build a future-ready squad. Gujarat Titans aimed to maintain a balance between experienced internationals and promising young players. KKR made significant investments to bolster their squad, aiming for a strong title challenge. Mumbai Indians focused on retaining their core group while making strategic buys to enhance their lineup. Punjab Kings worked on strengthening both their batting and bowling departments. Rajasthan Royals continued promoting young talent complemented by experienced internationals. RCB balanced their aggressive batting lineup with a robust bowling attack. SRH focused on building a strong bowling unit while ensuring explosive batting options. LSG’s appointment of KL Rahul as captain marked a strategic move to build a balanced squad.

With the completion of the auction and finalization of squads, IPL 2025 promised to be a season of intense competition and high-quality cricket. Strategic acquisitions and leadership changes set the stage for a thrilling tournament, with each franchise aiming to leverage their strengths and clinch the coveted IPL title.