Watch: Dravid prioritizes core strength, explains road ahead for Rajasthan

Following the IPL 2025 retention announcements, Rajasthan Royals coach Rahul Dravid emphasized the importance of a strong core to foster team cohesion and success. By retaining captain Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, and Sandeep Sharma, Dravid aims to build a competitive squad with a focus on loyalty and talent, keeping Rs 41 crore in the franchise's purse for the upcoming auction.

Dravid’s vision: Core players and team loyalty

Rahul Dravid, renowned for his approach to player development, elaborated on the Royals' strategy for retention, underscoring the value of a core group for sustained performance. He explained, "We have a lot of talented players who have performed well. We trust our talent, and we also want to maintain the core and build the team around it. A loyal core provides stability and reflects a franchise's commitment to its players."

This approach aligns with Dravid’s long-standing philosophy of nurturing talent while maintaining squad consistency, a quality he believes is vital for team spirit and loyalty. By retaining these six players, Dravid hopes to foster a close-knit team culture that can endure the high-stakes competition in the IPL.

With Rs 41 crore remaining in their budget, the Royals enter the auction with ample resources but no Right to Match (RTM) cards, meaning they must strategize carefully to build around the retained core. Dravid expressed confidence in their financial flexibility, suggesting that the Royals are well-prepared to secure additional high-impact players who align with their established core.

 

 

 

 

 

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Key players released: Pant and KL Rahul return to the auction pool

Elsewhere, the IPL 2025 retention deadline saw several high-profile players, including Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, released by their respective franchises. Pant, with over 100 matches for Delhi Capitals, returns to the auction pool, adding a valuable wicketkeeper-batsman to the market. KL Rahul, who led the Lucknow Super Giants since 2022, is another standout release, expected to attract significant bids at the auction.

According to sources, Chennai Super Kings are already strategizing to bring Rishabh Pant to the MA Chidambaram Stadium, with their management keen to add his experience and skillset to their lineup.

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Dravid’s strategy of retaining a core group reflects a broader trend among IPL franchises, where team identity and loyalty are increasingly prioritized. Teams like the Royals aim to create a blend of stability and performance, focusing on nurturing talent that resonates with their ethos and vision. This approach not only enhances performance but also deepens the connection between players and their franchises, adding a layer of brand loyalty and fan engagement.

With the auction approaching, it will be interesting to see how the Rajasthan Royals and other franchises use their budgets and retention strategies to secure a winning combination for the 2025 season.