The 2025 IPL edition has given glimpses of intense and wholesome cricketing action through the medium of team retentions. All ten robust sides have released the names of their promising players who will take the lead in the upcoming 2025 edition.

With some amusing releases and a colossal purse of over Rs. 120 Crores across the retention and auction process, this edition of the team's creation would go wild and intriguing. Based on some shocking releases by the franchises, here are the top five probable Indian players whose teams would be eager to break the bank to acquire their talent in the 2025 IPL Mega Auction. 

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer has helped the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, successfully earn their third IPL title after a colossal ten years. But, his release from the Knight Riders has been a surprise for many cricket fanatics, keeping in mind his cornerstone role in the team's memorable 2024 run. Many speculate about his increased retention asking, which led to his unexpected release.

But, amongst the teams, a few have taken significant steps in the retention process to buy him for an enormous amount and have the impeccable batter and captain to their respective franchises, making him one of the most expensive Indian players in the mega-auctions.

KL Rahul

KL Rahul and Lucknow Supergiants' love-and-hate relationship started ever since the controversial on-camera animated conversation between him and their owner, Sanjiv Goenka. The sight was captured on tape, and netizens predicted Rahul's departure from the franchise, where he led the team to two consecutive playoffs.

Rahul has been entering the auctions since 2018, which makes him a hot pick for being one of the most expensive Indian players in the upcoming mega auctions. 

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant's absence from the retention list was the most shocking, given that he was the captain of Delhi Capitals and had a long association with the team for eight years. He also returned to professional cricket following a horrible vehicle accident with the Delhi Capitals (DC).

Pant was rumoured to join the new team ahead of IPL 2025, and the same looks possible with him featuring in the auction. With a handful of teams eager to look for a viable wicketkeeper batter option, Pant can also play the role of a captain, leading him to earn some big bucks in the upcoming mega auctions. 

Also Read: IPL 2025: Top-5 probable most expensive Foreign players in the upcoming IPL Mega Auction

Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh, a fiery pacer, was a significant Punjab Kings' IPL 2024 squad member. He debuted for the team in 2019 and has since represented India. He was a squad member until 2024, and his participation in the team in the upcoming season is uncertain because the team released him.

Not to mention his crucial part in India's victorious T20 World Cup as the joint top wicket-taker. Though many were surprised to hear the news of his release, Punjab Kings received a massive payout of Rs 110.5 crore and four Right-to-Match (RTM) cards, giving him a strong contender for the team to avail himself of his lethal speed skill.

Mohammed Siraj

Pacer Mohammed Siraj's release surprised many because he has often voiced his wish to remain with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The franchise kept only three players: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. As it implies, the prominent loyal fan-base side will have the option to retain him, thanks to their available three RTM cards.

Siraj has risen in prominence in the Indian team's red and white ball formats performance. It is no surprise that Siraj was the cause of breaking the bank for several franchises and could return to his old franchise; only time will tell. 

Arshdeep Singh, the left-arm pacer who starred in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory, is on the verge of fulfilling his long-standing dream of playing Test cricket. The 25-year-old has consistently expressed his aspiration to compete in Test matches.

Following his standout performances in the T20 World Cup, Singh is now poised for his debut in the Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Rohit Sharma and the team are scheduled to play a five-match Test series against Australia from November to December this year, and Singh’s impressive form suggests he will receive his maiden Test call-up.

Arshdeep Singh’s first Test call-up is approaching for the upcoming tour of Australia

Indian selectors are considering adding the left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh to the Test squad, given his outstanding performances in limited-overs cricket. Impressed by his exceptional showing in the T20 World Cup 2024, the selectors are eager to include him in the team for the upcoming tour of Australia.

Singh ended the T20 World Cup 2024 as one of the joint-leading wicket-takers, alongside Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi, with 17 wickets. Reports suggest that the national selectors have advised him to play a few matches in the upcoming Duleep Trophy to strengthen his chances of earning a Test call-up.

A source close to the situation told the Times of India: “Arshdeep has demonstrated impressive swing in white-ball cricket for India. He might be asked to participate in some domestic red-ball games, starting with the Duleep Trophy on September 5, to improve his selection prospects for the Australia tour. There’s a strong possibility that he could become India’s key player, alongside Jasprit Bumrah, in Australia.”

The source also mentioned, “The selectors are particularly interested in adding another left-arm pace option to the white-ball squad, which is why Khaleel Ahmed was included in the Zimbabwe tour and has been selected for both the ODIs and T20Is in Sri Lanka.”Currently, both Khaleel and Arshdeep are with Team India in Sri Lanka. They will participate in the upcoming three-match T20I series, followed by a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. The tour begins with the first T20I match on July 27 in Pallekele.

SEE ALSO:Beth Mooney advocates for equal pay in women’s cricket ahead of the Hundred return

Riyan Parag and Harshit Rana are set to be developed as future stars

Riyan Parag has reportedly been included in both white-ball squads for the Sri Lanka tour due to an injury to middle-order batsman Tilak Varma. The Indian selectors aim to develop Parag, who is known for his solid all-round skills, including decent bowling, exceptional fielding, and explosive batting.

Similarly, Harshit Rana has received his maiden call-up to India’s ODI squad, thanks to his impressive ability to bowl yorkers, slower balls, and other variations in the death overs, making him a valuable asset in white-ball cricket.The selectors are focusing on grooming Rana, Parag, and Khaleel Ahmed for the future as the Indian team navigates a transition phase, with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja having retired from T20I cricket.

The recently concluded 2024 T20 World Cup has ended on a high note, with India winning their second title after a 17-year gap. This victory not only marks the end of the team’s hiatus from winning an ICC trophy since 2013 but also signifies a significant achievement for Indian cricket. The team’s performance from various departments of the game has been significant.

This tournament has provided some wholesome moments, especially from some unexpected players who have had a recent bleak performance run. This article delves into the five players who have been the game-changers in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup winning campaign, including some who have defied expectations with their stellar performances.

1. Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has been having a downfall of a stint for a brief period, starting from his IPL transfer from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians. Have been hindered by injuries regularly, and many people didn’t expect much from his ability, especially after having a disastrous season with the Mumbai Indians as the captain.

But he has proved all the critics wrong and has proven to be the team’s clutch player in the tournament. He displayed his sheer athleticism with his fielding and making crucial runs and wickets. By this, he has shown one of the best comebacks in the sporting world. In his tournament campaign, he has made 144 runs at a strike rate of 151.57. In addition, he scalped 11 wickets at an economy of 7.64.

2. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav has been one of the most reliable middle-order batters in the game’s shortest format. And he has proved it in their triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. He has made 199 runs at a commendable strike rate of 135.37.

Yadav gave a solid campaign to team’s middle order by scoring two half-centuries. He has hit a crucial 47 in the semi-final against England despite playing on some challenging batting tracks. And not to mention his fielding prowess with one of the tournament’s most incredible catches in a pivotal time in the final off David Miller against South Africa.

3. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah, the Player of the Tournament and India’s secret weapon in their title victory was unbeatable. More than his 15 wickets, Bumrah’s contribution in limiting opponents’ scoring rates made him India’s most valuable Player throughout the competition.

His 4.17 economy rate is the greatest ever recorded by a bowler in a single edition of the men’s T20 World Cup. In his tournament campaign, he has taken 15 wickets at an economy rate of 4.17, with his best statistics of 3/7 coming against Afghanistan.  

Also Read: Rohit Sharma- The Everlasting Big Brother of the Indian Team

4. Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh ended as the tournament’s joint-highest wicket-taker, taking 17 wickets in eight matches at an economy and average of 7.16 and 12.64, respectively.

The left-arm fast bowler was an excellent match for Jasprit Bumrah with the ball, particularly during his early Powerplay stints. In the final, Arshdeep was instrumental in India’s victory, getting Quinton de Kock’s crucial wicket at a critical moment in the game and then bowling a magnificent last over, surrendering only four runs.

5. Axar Patel

Axar Patel’s versatility was a key factor in India’s title-winning campaign. He contributed in various ways, from scoring critical runs with the bat to taking crucial wickets with the ball.

His adaptability and strong performances in different roles were instrumental in India’s success. In the tournament, he scored 92 runs at an economy of 139.39. Also, he took nine wickets at an economy of 7.86. His stunning counter-attacking 47 in the final, after being pushed up the order, allowed Virat Kohli to settle in and play the anchor role.

The 2024 T20 World Cup has seen India create a second star on their T20I format crest. After a long gap of 17 years, winning the inaugural edition way back in 2007, the team turned out to be impactful game-changers, with every department prospering and unleashing their best game to the fullest.

With the conditions in the USA and West Indies primarily favouring the batters, the Indian bowling unit utilised this advantage to the core, scalped crucial wickets, and prevented some boundaries with a top-notch, fast and spin combination. Here are the top three bowling performances from the Indian side post their triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign.

1. Arshdeep Singh (4/9) vs USA

Arshdeep Singh, one of the reliable Indian pacers, finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker (17) in the T20 World Cup 2024 with the Afghan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi. His finest bowling performance came against the USA in New York, when he took four wickets.

Shyan Jahangir was knocked out on the opening delivery of the match leg before wicket by Singh. Singh also removed Andries Gous in the first over, reducing the USA to three for losing two wickets in the opening over. His remaining two victims were Nitish Kumar and Harmeet Singh, who finished with an excellent 4/9 from four overs. The left-handed pacer was chosen Man of the Match for his outstanding performances.

2. Jasprit Bumrah (3/7) vs Afghanistan

Jasprit Bumrah has been awarded the Man of the Tournament title thanks to his dazzling display of bowling by restricting the batters to go for big shots and boundaries. The Man of the Series of the T20 World Cup 2024 was at his best against Afghanistan in Barbados during India’s group eight match against Afghanistan. Team India scored 181 for losing eight wickets in 20 overs, thanks to Suryakumar Yadav’s superb half-century.

Afghanistan tends to struggle with a massive target of 182, and Jasprit Bumrah made matters worse. Rishabh Pant nabbed his first victim, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was in good form. Hazratullah Zazai followed suit. Najibullah Zadran was his third victim, and the Afghans had no answer for Bumrah’s delivery. The top-notch pacer finished with three wickets in four overs, including a maiden.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: Top-3 batting highlights from the winning Indian team

3. Axar Patel (3/23) vs England

India faced England in the second semi-final of the event. Despite India’s 171-run score in 20 overs when batting first, the might of English batting could have been a cause for concern. However, Axar Patel’s strategic use of the ball changed the game.

His dismissals of Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, and Moeen Ali early in the match set England back, and they were unable to recover. Axar Patel’s exceptional spell, with an economy of 5.75, was a game-changer for India, securing their spot in the tournament’s final match.

On a flat track in Barbados, Bumrah bowled two incredible deliveries that got him two wickets. The first one was outstanding, possibly one of the best in the tournament and finals history. It angled into Reeza Hendricks, pitched, and then seamed away to hit the top of off stump, beating the batter’s outside edge.

India’s pace bowlers made a remarkable comeback in the final overs. Even though Axar Patel gave up 24 runs in the 15th over, the pacers stayed calm. Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh took important early wickets, and Hardik Pandya provided great support.

In his first over, Bumrah gave away five runs and eight runs in the next, including one boundary that was a shaky steer through deep third.

Bumrah’s tight bowling in death overs

But his last two overs were crucial. He gave away only four runs in the 16th over and in the 17th over he conceded just two runs. Bumrah’s final figures were 2-18.

In the last five overs, the pacers bowled dot balls and took key wickets, leading to a thrilling seven-run defense. Suryakumar Yadav’s catch was a game-changer, adding to the excitement. The Indian team, cheered on by over a billion fans, celebrated a hard-fought victory that highlighted their determination and skill.

Twitter reactions:

SEE ALSO: Watch: Rahul Dravid’s never seen moment after winning T20 World Cup 2024 goes viral

In a nerve-wracking finish, Hyderabad emerged victorious, but it wasn’t without some tense moments. They had themselves to blame for making the match much closer than it needed to be, as they put down three catches, two of which resulted in maximums for the opposition. These missed opportunities could have cost them dearly, but they managed to hold their nerve in the final over to secure the win. Despite the slight hiccup, Hyderabad showcased resilience and determination to come out on top in a tight contest.

On the other hand, Punjab will rue their missed chance to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma displayed remarkable grit and skill to almost pull off an incredible win for their team. However, in the end, their efforts fell agonizingly short as they finished just two runs shy of the target. Despite the disappointment, Punjab can take heart from the fighting spirit they showed and look to bounce back stronger in their upcoming matches.

See Also: IPL 2024: Player Analysis: Jos Buttler Roars Back into Form with a Match-Winning Century as Royals Maintain Unbeaten Streak

Arshdeep’s Powerplay Bowling: Insights and Analysis

Over the past two years, Arshdeep has been a consistent member of the national team. However, his performance in the recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad highlighted a dip in form, particularly with the new ball. Prior to this game, his statistics with the new ball were rather ordinary, managing only two wickets in four matches. His average in powerplay overs stood at 33.5, indicating a struggle to make early breakthroughs, a skill that had previously been a strength for him.

To regain his momentum, Arshdeep needed a strong performance, and he delivered just that with his standout performance in the powerplay overs, marking a significant improvement in his form. This impressive display would undoubtedly please the Indian selectors, who closely monitor players’ performances. Throughout the match, the 25-year-old bowled with confidence, consistently hitting the right lengths and troubling the Sunrisers opening batters with his line and length.

Arshdeep’s strategy proved effective as 83% of his deliveries targeted the region where batters found it challenging to score, managing only a strike rate of 67. This focused approach led to increased pressure on the opposition batters. In previous matches, he induced 15 false shots, but against Sunrisers, he provoked five false shots, showcasing his ability to unsettle even the most skilled batters. Notably, he dismissed two of the Sunrisers’ top performers, Travis Head and Aiden Markram, further highlighting his impact on the game.

Arshdeep’s precision against Travis Head involved targeting the stumps, inducing the left-hander to play his signature drive, ultimately resulting in his dismissal. Similarly, he exploited Aiden Markram’s weakness by delivering a ball angled away from the right-hander, leading to another crucial wicket. These dismissals of two key batters, who had been in stellar form, underscored Arshdeep’s ability to deliver under pressure, particularly against formidable opponents like Sunrisers.

In just one over, Arshdeep demonstrated his exceptional skill and composure, proving the adage that “form is temporary, but class is permanent.” This performance epitomized his resilience and adaptability, reaffirming his status as a reliable asset for his team in critical situations.

In the highly anticipated cricket match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings, both teams showcased their prowess, thrilling fans with exciting moments and remarkable performances. Punjab Kings won the toss in a thrilling encounter and opted to bowl first. 

The Start of the Innings

The match started with Travid Head and Abhishek Sharma opening the innings for the Sunrisers. Opening batters Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma took guard against the fiery pace of Kagiso Rabada. Head started with an aggressive stroke through the third-man region, but the duo found it difficult to get going against the disciplined bowling.

See Also: Rishabh Pant is set to be included in the Indian team for the T20I World Cup 2024: Reports

Early Wickets Shake SRH

The introduction of Arshdeep Singh in the fourth overturned the game. The young left-arm seamer struck twice quickly, removing the dangerous Head and the in-form Aiden Markram for a golden duck. Head mistimed a shot and offered a simple catch to the safe hands of Shikhar Dhawan, while Markram was undone by a delivery that angled across him, edging it to the keeper.

The Middle Over Drama

Sunrisers found themselves in a precarious position at 40/3 in the powerplay, but Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Reddy steadied the ship with a gritty partnership. Abhishek, however, fell soon after, leaving SRH reeling at 39/4.

The innings were heading nowhere until Abdul Samad joined forces with Nitish Reddy. The duo counterattacked in style, adding a blistering 50-run stand in just 18 deliveries. Samad’s 25 off 12 balls cameo provided the much-needed impetus, but Arshdeep struck again, ending the partnership with a well-judged delivery that found the outside edge.

In his first match of the season, Nitish Reddy held the innings together with a gritty 64 off 37 balls. However, his dismissal to Arshdeep in the 18th over left Sunrisers struggling to post a competitive total.

Arshdeep’s Dominant Spell

Arshdeep Singh continued to torment the Sunrisers with his exceptional bowling skills as the match neared its climax. Finishing with impressive figures of 4-0-29-4, Arshdeep played a pivotal role in restricting the Sunrisers’ scoring rate and picking crucial wickets at crucial junctures.

As the innings concluded, Sunrisers Hyderabad limped to a total of 182/9, thanks to Nitish Reddy’s resilient half-century and some late flourishes from the lower order.

In the latest edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Arshdeep Singh of the Punjab Kings created an unwanted world record in their forgettable outing against the Mumbai Indians. The match took place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on May 3, 2023.

Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm medium-fast bowler, was given the responsibility to defend 18 runs in the final over of the Mumbai Indians’ innings. However, the young bowler failed to deliver under pressure and conceded 34 runs, thus creating an unwanted world record for conceding the most number of runs in a single over in the history of the IPL.

Arshdeep Singh finished with figures of 1/66 in 3.5 overs – his most expensive spell in IPL history

Arshdeep’s over began with a wide delivery, which was followed by a dot ball. However, things quickly went downhill for the bowler as he conceded six boundaries and a six in the next six deliveries. The Mumbai Indians’ batsmen, led by their captain Rohit Sharma, took full advantage of Arshdeep’s inconsistent line and length and punished him severely.

This forgettable outing by Arshdeep Singh not only cost his team the match but also made him the subject of widespread criticism and ridicule on social media. Many fans and experts were quick to point out that the young bowler had choked under pressure and lacked the experience to handle such high-pressure situations.

Despite the setback, Arshdeep Singh’s teammates and coaching staff rallied around him and offered their support. The team’s captain, KL Rahul, acknowledged the bowler’s disappointment but also praised his talent and potential. He urged the young bowler to learn from his mistakes and bounce back stronger in the next match.

The Punjab Kings have had a mixed start to the IPL 2023 season, winning two matches and losing three. The team will be hoping to regroup quickly and put this forgettable outing behind them as they prepare for their next match against the Chennai Super Kings.

Arshdeep’s performance against the Mumbai Indians was disappointing, it’s important to give him the support he needs to bounce back. He is a talented player with the potential to be a key player for the Punjab Kings and Indian cricket. Let’s hope that he learns from his mistakes and comes back stronger in the upcoming matches.

31st Match, IPL: Punjab Kings 214 for 8 (Curran 55, Bhatia 41, Chawla 2-15) beat Mumbai Indians 210 for 6 (Green 67, Suryakumar 57, Arshdeep Singh 4-29) by 13 runs

The Punjab Kings’ innings was failing. They were 105 for 4 after 14 overs, with Harpreet Singh Bhatia scoring 15 off 16 balls and Sam Curran scoring 8 off 12 balls. They ransacked 109, however, in the subsequent six overs. Curran had 55 off 29 and Jitesh Sharma had 25 off just seven, while Bhatia had 41 off 28. That increased Kings’ score to a formidable 214-8.

Accordingly, Mumbai Indians were generally in the challenge, because of Rohit Sharma’s 27-ball 44 and Cameron Green’s 43-ball 67. After that, Kings were in danger of losing the game due to Suryakumar Yadav’s blistering fifty. 

Arshdeep Singh rose to the occasion at that point

He excused Suryakumar in the eighteenth over, and afterward with 16 expected from six balls, he yielded only two while breaking the center stumps of Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera with consecutive deliveries.

Kings moved up to fifth place with eight points from seven games thanks to the 13-run victory. Truth be told, the main five groups all have eight focuses each, mainly the net run rate isolating them.

Rohit and Green keep Mumbai on track

Arshdeep dealt Mumbai an early blow by returning Ishan Kishan in the second over of the chase, prior to his heroics at the end. Rohit and Green didn’t let that stop them from establishing regular boundaries. In the powerplay, they hit five fours and three sixes to put Mumbai at 54 for 1 after six innings. Before Rohit scooped a return catch for Liam Livingstone in the tenth over, the pair had scored 76 runs off 50 deliveries.

Green and Suryakumar press on further

With Mumbai requiring 127 in the last ten overs, Suryakumar burned through no time. Before hitting Livingstone for a hat trick of fours, he swept his third ball for a four. Suryakumar had a typical innings, hitting 57 runs in 26 balls, 33 of which came from behind the square on the leg side.

Green also shifted into the next gear at the other end. He hit Rahul Chahar for a six and a four in the 15th over, increasing his half-century total and bringing it down to 66 from 30 balls.

For the second consecutive time in this T20I series, India and New Zealand got a pitch where it gripped and turned. But unlike Ranchi, where competent batsmen of spin could find runs, Lucknow was a furnace for batsmen. Anyone who could bowl spin was in with a chance of taking a wicket. That seamer bowled only 9.5 off the 39.5 overs, and India reached the target of 100 runs with just a ball to spare, would tell the story.

The pitch took out an even contest between bat and ball. You could argue that in T20s the balance of the game is heavily tilted in batsmen’s favour. But it is what the format dictates. Thousands of people sacrifice their evenings to turn up at a stadium or switch their television sets or open their OTT platforms to watch batsmen teeing off from the start. It is the format at the forefront of cricket’s changing landscape – where even teams are getting to play even aggressively in Tests.

Also Read: India Script History, Become First-Ever Champions Of U19 Women’s T20 World Cup

India beat NZ on another turning track, levels T20 series

It has largely been possible because the groundsmen take demons out of the pitch, where they give the batsmen the ideal conditions to prosper. But at Lucknow, they had served what former India batsman Gautam Gambhir called a “sub-standard pitch” on Star Sports studio. Not without a reason, as not a single six was hit in the match. Unlike Tests and the ODIs where the characteristics of the pitches tend to vary from country to country, the unaccepted universal code for T20s is to roll out a flat deck.

This was a pitch where India would have preferred having Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli in their top three rather than Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan and Rahul Tripathi. In 2015 as England pressed a reset button in limited-overs, one of the key aspects that often goes unnoticed was the revamping of seaming pitches into batting paradises. The curators dished out light brown pitches with plenty of runs on it and the right set of players – finger spinners, wrist-spinners, hit-the-deck pacers – to make the most out of the conditions. Fours years later, they won the World Cup.