The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League will unfold in the mode of a Mega Auction. The recent news of the retention list being released by the ten participating franchises has stirred up a lot of talk, primarily relating to some shocking releases of commendable contributors to their respective teams.

Though it also comprises the right performers being retained, the upcoming mega auctions would be a wild ride, with several top names making an entry under the hammer. But, there have been some retentions that were a steal and absolutely worth it. That said, here's a list of the top 5 best retentions made before the start of the 2025 IPL Mega Auction.

Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians- INR 18 Crore)

Jasprit Bumrah has been hailed as one of the best fast bowlers in the modern cricketing generation. Arising as a 2013 young pacer with Mumbai Indians, Bumrah's evolution as a reliable quickie is something not to forget. He has done it all, be it giving a nightmare to the batters in the powerplay or turning the game around by taking wickets during the final stages.

It was unsurprising to find his career shuttler retaining him for the highest amount of INR 18 Crore, signifying his importance in the future. In his 2024 IPL stint, he was the lone warrior in Mumbai Indians' disastrous campaign by scalping 20 wickets in 14 matches, making him the third-highest wicket-taker of that edition. 

Nitish Kumar Reddy (Sunrisers Hyderabad- INR 6 Crore)

Sunrisers Hyderabad has become one of the franchises that has given several emerging cricketers who have grown and significantly impacted the sporting world. Nitish Kumar Reddy is an emerging player from the Orange Army who has caught fanatics' eyes thanks to his commendable all-rounder performances in just a few appearances.

He was awarded the Emerging Player of the Tournament for his colossal 303 runs and three wickets in 13 matches. With him making a stellar international debut in the recent T20I series Bangladesh, it is not surprising to find him getting retained for just INR 6 Crores, which is a steal. 

Tilak Varma (Mumbai Indians- INR 8 Crore)

Tilak Varma is another emerging season campaigner who helped bolster Mumbai Indians' middle-order attack in the previous edition. By retaining him for INR 8 Crore, there is no doubt that it was a steal deal, as they primarily focused on the future prospects and were eager to have players onboarded for the long run.

Though they had many options to retain, Tilak Varma completes the balance quotient for the Mumbai Indians retention list, as it already comprises two strong top-order batters (Rohit Sharma & Suryakumar Yadav), one lethal pacer (Jasprit Bumrah) and a reliable captain all-rounder (Hardik Pandya). In his 2024 tenure, Varma has made 416 runs in 13 matches at a commendable average of over 42. 

Also Read: IPL 2025: Top 5 Worst Retentions during the 2025 IPL Mega Auction

Rinku Singh (Kolkata Knight Riders- INR 13 Crore)

Rinku Singh joined the Knight Riders in 2018 for a base fee of Rs 50 lakh and has remained with them since then. In his first few seasons, he did not get enough playing time. However, since 2023, he has increased in prominence. He became one of KKR's top finishers, capable of leading them to victory even in challenging situations. Rinku demonstrated the ability to maintain his calm under pressure.

As his success shows, he was retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders for a staggering INR 13 crore, signifying a 2264% hike. This also demonstrates how hard work and growth go hand in hand. In the 2024 edition, Rinku Singh made 168 runs in 14 matches, which might indicate low numbers, but the swashbuckling batter has always been a vital asset to the three-time champions. 

Sai Sudharshan (Gujarat Titans- INR 8.5 Crore)

Sai Sudharshan is another name to be added to the best retention list and an emerging player to check out. The Gujarat Giants retention list comprises an optimum mix of experienced and emerging players, with Sudharshan on the emerging side. Starting with a base salary of just INR 20 Lakh, he will get an enormous INR 8.5 Crore, indicating a 4150% hike.

His clean and power-hitting approach has brought him to fame; hence, this result is shown in the retention list of the 2022 champions. He had a memorable time with the bat in the previous edition, as he made 527 runs in just 12 matches with a century, making him the highest run-scorer for the team during that tournament.