IPL 2025 RR Retention List: 5 Players likely to be retained by Rajasthan Royals

2025 is set to be the year of the mega auction. After two mini auctions in 2023 and 2024, it is time to turn the gears up! As it happens during the mega auctions, teams have a higher chance of shuffling their squads.

As per Cricbuzz, the franchises are reportedly in favour of retention through the Right To Match (RTM) Card. It would allow franchises to retain their existing players at real-time rates, fixed at the auction table. In the meantime, Each team might retain 5 players (2 Overseas, 2 Capped Indians, 1 Uncapped Indian).

Let’s take a look at those 5 players who are likely to be retained by Rajasthan Royals (RR).

1. Sanju Samson (c & wk)

The wicketkeeper batsman is likely to be the 1st preference for the Royals. Samson has scored 531 runs in 15 matches of the IPL 2024. Besides, they wouldn’t want to lose a consistent performer like him. Samson was bought at 14 crore in the last mega auction.

2. Trent Boult

The left arm seamer is one of the most consistent IPL bowlers. He was bought at 8 crore in the last mega auction.

3. Jos Buttler

The English captain was retained by RR last season. He was the orange cap holder in the IPL 2022. Buttler was bought by RR at 10 crores in the IPL 2022 Mega auction by RR.

4. Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal has performed consistently throughout the IPL. He has picked up 18 wickets in 15 matches in the last season. The Indian capped bowler was bought by RR in the last Mega Auction with a price of 6.5 crores.

5. Riyan Parag

The right handed batter has impressed by his batting in the last season. Being a part time off spinner, he should be the best option for RR as an uncapped Indian. He was bought by RR at 3.8 crore in the last Mega Auction.

RTM is an option teams can use on players that match a bid during the auction to ensure the player is retained. Each team will get the chance to apply RTM for the remaining slot they will have after pre-auction retention. e.g. if a team retains only 1 player in their retention list, they will have 4 RTM card opportunities. Similarly, if a team retains two players, they will have 3 RTM card opportunities and so on. But if a team has already retained 5 players, they will lose all the RTM cards.

The IPL retention rules and salary cap play a crucial role in shaping teams during the mega auction. Here are the key aspects that were set by the BCCI for player retention in the last mega auction 2022:

For 1 Player Retained:

Player Number: 1

Salary: INR 14 Crore

For 2 Players Retained:

Player Number: 1

Salary: INR 14 Crore

Player Number: 2

Salary: INR 10 Crore

Total: INR 24 Crore

For 3 Players Retained:

Player Number: 1

Salary: INR 15 Crore

Player Number: 2

Salary: INR 11 Crore

Player Number: 3

Salary: INR 7 Crore

Total: INR 33 Crore

For 4 Players Retained:

Player Number: 1

Salary: INR 16 Crore

Player Number: 2

Salary: INR 12 Crore

Player Number: 3

Salary: INR 8 Crore

Player Number: 4

Salary: INR 6 Crore

Total: INR 42 Crore

However, this rule might change in the upcoming mega auction if 5-player retention rule comes.