Brothers ... Why to chant Kl .. kl .. kl .. We all know his form rn .. and what he did in important matches .. Josh Buttler phill salt & pant is there in auction.. kl is never good for RCB .. Also assuming kl will be in the form in ipl .. We have Kohli to do the same thing ( long inning with 160-170 strike rate ) .. soo no place for kl in team .. Sanjeev goenka's statement also make sense ..

Is is true that shreyas demanded 30cr from kkr to be retained, I was watching 2 sloggers and they said that they got Intel that Iyer asked for 30cr. They implied that the source was rinku. I don't know if it's true but 30cr demand feels like a joke.

What's your opinion on this rumour

I think DC releasing Rohit might be one of the dumbest decisions, his stats in DC:

Inns: 46 Runs: 1219 Avg: 30.47 SR: 130.37

Inns: 23 Wickets: 14 Eco: 7.33 Avg: 25.14

MOTM awards : 3

RCB Releasing Yuzi is the next one that comes to my mind.

Hey everyone! I’ve been seeing a lot of buzz about November 25 as the date for the IPL auction — even spotted it in some newspapers and on YouTube channels. But I haven’t seen anything official to confirm this. Does anyone know if this date is actually locked in, or is it still just a rumor? Would appreciate any solid info. Thanks!

The first retention is 18cr , but why Kohli gets 3cr more Doesn't he have money or what's the reason? I don't get it

Title.

Hey Fellas, Do you want to feel like a part of the auction table for your favorite team? Here is a chance!

I've created team-specific surveys where YOU can predict Which players will be picked by which teams

🔍 How it works:

• Click on any team survey

• Make your picks

• Submit & try another team

• Come back to see how your predictions matched the actual auction

IPL 2025 Fan Predictions Website Link

This would be the approach I would like CSK to take when building the squad for 2025.

Using the RTM card for Conway or Rachin, preferably Conway, considering he can keep, has IPL experience, and is more consistent. I know many will prefer Rachin due to his age, but this could be a factor that makes other franchises bid high on him.

We can either play Rutu as the second opener or shift him to the #3 position, as he struggles to negate swing in the initial overs. One of Ishan, Venky Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, or Nitish Rana would be my pick.

Dube is a sure shot for the #4 position.

Now, this is the tricky part: either go for 2 foreign all-rounders or 2 foreign bowlers.

If we decide to go for 2 foreign all-rounders, Pathirana would be the only foreign speedster in the lineup. In that case, we can target someone like Natarajan (he is a local boy too), or affordable options in the Indian death bowler segment like Mohit Sharma and Kartik Tyagi.

These all-rounders will definitely be on CSK’s radar, as MS loves to have plenty of all-rounders in his team: Curran, Livingstone, Maxwell, Hasaranga.

As Ashwin mentioned in one of his podcasts, CSK was very eager to bring Miller to Chepauk, so we might target him too.

If we decide to go with 2 foreign quicks, then Burger, Hazlewood, Coetzee could be the ones we might buy as they already represented other Superkings Franchises.

My preferred lineup for 2025 would be:

1. Conway
2. Ishan/Rahul T/Venky
3. Rutu
4. Dube
5. Miller
6. Livingstone/Curran/Maxwell/Hasaranga
7. Jadeja
8. MS
9. Ashwin
10. Tushar
11. Pathirana
12. Nattu/Mohit/Rizvi

Ah yes back to the franchise I actually support, well I tried to be unbiased in this massive thread I randomly wanted to make this afternoon, and as usual the fanbase I triggered the most was CSKs, well before the retentions were announced I was sure Rohit is leaving us forever but I should never have under estimated the power of ambani, we somehow managed to retain our core and got a PR video explaining it's a team decisions so i already got more than i came for

Retentions

Bumrah- Best bowler in the world by a few miles, keeping him at 18 is a steal (he's getting money under the table)

Pandya- Best all rounder in the limited over Indias side, hope he doesn't get drowned out by negative PR like last time since the other big 3 have acknowledged him as the successor now officially, keeping him at 16.35 is a steal (he's getting money under the table)

Sky- Best T29 batsman in the world, keeping him at 16.35 Cr is a steal (he's getting money under the table)

Rohit- After the huge drama last year even keeping him in this franchise is an achievement in itself (he's definitely getting money under the table), well he has not performed for MI for so long also (except last year) that he is retained just to save face, hope no captaincy pressure and no external drama makes him play more fearlessly

Tilak - Definitely future Mi captain if he keeps his good form up, I think he made the highest number of runs last cycle and was the only bright lights for us in this horrible cycle but keeping him in for 8 Cr is a steal(he's getting money under the table)

Rating- 9/10 it's not higher just because I don't see rohit playing for all 3 years so you know we could have had a bigger purse in the mini auction if wink wink we paid him higher, missed chance ambani, I thought you were a business man, then also retaining 5 major players without any ego clashes between them is a gigantic thing and MI somehow pulled it off, building a bowling around bumrah is the challenging part which MI has failed this auction cycle, let's see if they learn from their mistakes, the batting is already more or less secure

Ah yes my second favorite franchise purely for the meme value it brings to the game, without PBKS IPL would be a much duller time and they definitely did the most Punjabi retentions having a whooping 110.5 Cr

Prabh- Definitely think they should have gone for ashutosh over him, they will probably RTM ashutosh but they can actually have gone for a gun opener instead of prabh who has been inconsistent af

Shashank- From being in the memes during the auction last season to the only one of the two being retained he has come a long way, one of the silver linings of PBKS disastrous season with reliable knocks down the order

Rating - 8.5/10 - Well they have a lot of purse to do serious damage with Ponting at the helm, they have 4 RTMs to get back curran, Livingstone, brar, arshdeep back if they feel like it, one of the most boldest teams with one of the boldest captain as coach, yeah DC fans absolutely hate him but i think he's gonna cook something amazing

Opinions about GTs Retentions this cycle 8/10

Almost had a huge blunder with reports of Rashid leaving when gill was taking the first spot but they avoided it with cool heads at the top, GT was always a underdog team and their retentions also mostly represents that only

Rashid- He is not as much of a potent wicket taker anymore as teams are finally figuring him out, but being a quality spinner along with a handy lower order bat goes an extremely long way, not to mention he's an excellent fielder

Gill- Captain of the team, was intelligent enough to not throw it all away for the first retention spot(will get under the table anyway) , shows maturity,is called the next big thing after kohli,reliably makes runs for the team last cycle

Sai- Man is an excellent ODI player but I still have doubts whether he can translate that to T20, has some great knocks for GT under his belt he just needs to improve his SR, has the temperament though

Shah rukh- Doesn't even deserve 4Cr he has been tried and failed so many times at this point it's laughable

Tewatia- Man is a professional Punjab slayer getting 4 free points is always great that also for 4 Cr

Rating - 7/10 - Keeping both Gill and Rashid is a huge W seeing the ego clashes which was happening , keeping Punjab slayer was also a plus probably wasted 15Cr on sudarshan+Shah Rukh which could have been used to get much better players , could probably RTM shami Or noor both should go well below 10Cr(sudarshan could have easily be RTMed)

LSG has officially taken the villian of the IPL role from Mumbai this season, thank god . Losing KL rahul their highest run scorer will probably bite them in the ass, they definitely over paid for an injury riden mayank yadav also, pooran i would say definitely deserved the price point which some people would disagree and say bishnoi should get it. Retentions

Pooran- One of the most destructive batsmen in the 2020s, can WK also and will probably captain them, deserves the money also

Bishnoi- Premier leg spinner, young also, is an asset at that shithole of an ekana pitch

Mayank- Could be either a huge blunder or a huge steal depending on his fitness, only the future can tell, man is very exciting to watch but needs to be kept in a bubble wrap

Mohsin- Under rated bowler in the IPL, can be expensive but every bowler is thrashed at this point

Badoni- Over rated according to me, man has no power game, well SKY also had no power game when he was at KKR so I'll be happy to be proven wrong

Rating- 6.5/10 - Losing your highest run scorer will definitely sting, a 11Cr gamble at mayank also might prove costly if gone wrong, they do have a bowler heavy retention which is the most unique among all franchises which I respect especially because their pitch is an absolute mine field, they will need sound technical batsmen for ekana now

He's been with CSK for 2 seasons now and from what I've noticed, I've seen this guy score in not so important games and play the sh*ttiest way during crunch situations.

The dude crumbles under pressure and is terrible when it comes to facing quality fast bowlers.

Don't even get me started on his fielding, bro is so slow on the outfield and drops crucial catches...

I really didn't want him to be retained, they could've really gone for a foreign finisher if they couldn't get an Indian finisher..

What are your thoughts?

One of the franchise which couldn't retain their star player, they already have no fans and it will shrink further the next IPL, I'll be real here I can't really figure out what is DCs auction strategy, they can't utilize axar well half the time and he is their first retention, they didn't retain the guy who de facto made them come alive in the second half but I guess they are gonna RTM him

Axar- He does well in the off chance but kotla becoming more flat over the years is detrimental to his spin bowling, yes he's a handy lower order hitter but I see him more of a middle order enforcer than finisher, DC will probably not utilise him well again

Kuldeep- Indias best spinner but I've never seen spinners go high in mega auctions even the best ones but then also getting quality spin is always a plus in India

Stubbs- Really had a redemption arc last season after being detrimental in Mumbai (I ain't salty at all) , handy lower order bat and is a great finisher, rare commodity

Porel- Promising WK batter which have to be substituted from Pant now

Rating- 6.5/10- Losing pant will obviously sting, he didn't have the best of seasons as of late but he was still the face of this franchise for half a decade now, with Ponting also gone they really have to cook something huge during the auctions to make up for the retentions, they do have a high purse and will probably try to RTM Fraser and Mukesh/Khaleel

Ah yes our evergreen rivals, always respected this franchise for making nothing players into something, still believe they over paid for jadeja but CSK is big on loyalty so they will keep doing that, still believe letting go of conway can become a blunder in the near future

Dhoni- Face of the franchise and IPL, rules bended to make CSK save 10Cr for him, let's be real here he's gonna get a fat paycheck under the table anyway

Ruturaj- Highest run scorer of this team this cycle, also is being actively groomed to be future captain, so deserved top retention spot

Jadeja- Has been with the franchise for so long , gave him the joint highest for franchise loyalty only not any other reason

Pathirana- The real MVP for me in this CSK side, is a steal at this price

Dube- Has too much aura against spin bowlers

Rating- 7/10- retaining an aging jadeja fo 18 Cr can prove to be bad in this cycle even with the 10Cr cushion dhoni gave, retaining ruturaj, pathirana, dube is still a good enough core, 8 reliable overs in chepauk and the top order more or less secured with RTM probably be used on conway or rachin, they could also buy theekshana or santner for cheap because teams hate foreign spinners with a passion. They still need some fire power in the lower order because a 43 yr old still being the best finisher in a team is more or less embarrassing

I know that Varun is not a leg spinner so don't be technical at any minor assumption

https://preview.redd.it/13aerszakayd1.png?width=2312&format=png&auto=webp&s=dd6ec523b417fb4a0eaacf8d686f65ff9cc8429e

Opinions about RCBs Retentions this cycle 4/10

One of the most hated franchises in the IPL and for good reason, I'm one of the biggest RCB haters but I can't disagree with the fact that them releasing everyone is a good decision, maybe they could have saved 1 more Cr by negotiating with dayal under the table, big decision to finally not retain siraj

Kohli- Biggest face in Indian cricket rn, still consistent as fuck, everyone already knew he was gonna be retained, no arguments here

Patidar- Surprisingly went with an Indian as second retention after so long, man has the unique role of playing the middle overs like the death overs which I haven't seen many batsmen do

Yash- Probably retained over RCB VS CSK which made his redemption arc complete

They didn't really lose huge players, faf is aging, maxwell will only do good against them when he inevitably plays against RCB next season in another team colours, the only loss I feel is like will jacks and maybe siraj, both will be

Rating- 8.5/10- People will say I'm rating RCB higher than SRH and I'm mad for doing that but this is only ranking the retentions not the inevitable fuck up which they will do in the auctions, they have the second highest purse and can easily make a great team but they will inevitably not (case in point Alzaari Joseph last year), they should definitely try to RTM back at least will jacks and make him open with virat

Hey all, wanted to break down the upcoming auction dynamics by the roles teams are targeting. This is based on the top available players in each role and the demand among franchises. Let’s dive in:

1. Lead Pacer

• Available Premier Options: Mohammed Shami, Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, Jofra Archer, Arshdeep Singh
• Target Teams: CSK, RCB, SRH, RR, DC, PBKS, GT, LSG
• Demand: Very High (8 teams need a lead pacer)
• Rarity: Rare

Auction Dynamics: Lead pacers are usually the hottest commodities, and this auction will be no different. Archer, despite his injury concerns, is still expected to spark a bidding frenzy—teams just can’t resist that raw pace and his form when fit. Arshdeep Singh, given his left-arm angle and rising status, could draw big money too. Left-arm Indian pacers are a rare breed here, which will push Arshdeep’s price up, no doubt. Starc, Boult, and Shami have the pedigree for both powerplay and death overs, and that’s going to come at a premium.

Analysis: Honestly, the pool is pretty much stacked with experienced internationals, but Archer and Arshdeep have a bit of a special edge. Pace is a premium in T20s, and left-arm quality is almost a golden ticket.

2. Support Pacer

• Available Premier Options: Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel, Shardul Thakur, Lockie Ferguson, Avesh Khan
• Target Teams: MI, KKR, CSK, RCB, RR, DC, PBKS, GT, LSG, SRH
• Demand: High (10 teams in need)
• Rarity: Common

Auction Dynamics: Plenty of support pacers this time around, meaning it’ll be competitive but should keep the prices manageable. Siraj and Ferguson haven’t been as consistent, so they may not go for top dollar compared to the others. Bhuvi is getting on in years, but you can’t underestimate experience, especially in a high-pressure league like this. The cost should stay controlled unless some teams end up clashing over a favorite.

Analysis: Teams that need backup bowlers for their lead pacers have a decent pool here. There’s versatility with guys like Chahar (swing), Thakur (batting value), and Harshal (death bowling), making them attractive options for a fair price.

3. Elite Spinner

• Available Premier Options: Yuzvendra Chahal, Wanindu Hasaranga
• Target Teams: CSK, RCB, MI, SRH, RR, DC, PBKS
• Demand: Very High (7 teams need an elite spinner)
• Rarity: Very Rare

Auction Dynamics: With big names like Rashid Khan, Narine, Bishnoi, and Chakravarthy retained, Chahal and Hasaranga are about to get PAID. Proven wicket-takers are incredibly valuable, especially in the middle overs where games can swing. This kind of scarcity means they’ll likely be among the most expensive players.

Analysis: These two are the game-changers. They’re key for teams that lack middle-over strike power. I’d expect some serious overbidding here just because they’re too crucial to miss out on.

4. Supporting Spinner

• Available Premier Options: Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Zampa, Keshav Maharaj, Mitchell Santner
• Target Teams: GT, CSK, RR, PBKS
• Demand: Moderate (4 teams)
• Rarity: Common

Auction Dynamics: The supporting spinner category is deeper. Ashwin, despite some fading T20 effectiveness, has his strategic value. Teams with an elite spinner already will be looking at someone like him to complement that attack. Zampa, Maharaj, and Santner are decent options for control, not wickets—expect their pricing to be reasonable.

Analysis: There’s depth here, so the cost shouldn’t get too crazy. These players are more about keeping things tight, and that’s exactly what some teams need.

5. Explosive Opening Batsman

• Available Premier Options: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, David Warner, Quinton de Kock, Rachin Ravindra
• Target Teams: CSK, KKR, SRH, DC, PBKS, GT, LSG
• Demand: Very High (7 teams)
• Rarity: Moderate

Auction Dynamics: Buttler is obviously the biggest prize here, and he’s probably going to set records again. Phil Salt’s star is on the rise, and he’s explosive—teams will love that. Warner and de Kock bring reliability, but maybe not quite at their peak now. Ravindra’s versatility makes him a wildcard but might also make him inconsistent.

Analysis: Buttler will break the bank, but teams might look at Salt as a slightly cheaper—but still aggressive—option. Warner and de Kock might be fallback plans.

6. Middle-Order Batsman

• Available Premier Options: Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer, David Miller, Marcus Stoinis, Aiden Markram, Nitish Rana
• Target Teams: RCB, KKR, GT, LSG
• Demand: High (4 teams)
• Rarity: Rare

Auction Dynamics: Flexible middle-order batsmen like Venkatesh Iyer are always sought after. Shreyas, as a consistent anchor, and Markram’s power, add versatility. David Miller’s finishing makes him highly valuable, especially to teams missing a power finisher. Rana adds leadership potential, which could boost his price for teams needing depth.

Analysis: Middle-order depth is key for teams like KKR and GT, so they’ll likely push hard here. Miller’s proven finishing makes him a target for those who need late firepower.

7. Finisher

• Available Premier Options: Tim David, David Miller, Glenn Phillips
• Target Teams: CSK, RCB, MI, DC, PBKS, GT
• Demand: Very High (6 teams)
• Rarity: Very Rare

Auction Dynamics: Finishers are consistently among the most expensive players. Miller’s ability to adapt in pressure situations makes him the top option. Tim David struggles against spin—he’s a risk, but his power still makes him a solid option for teams willing to roll the dice. Phillips is a budget-friendly alternative if things get too pricey.

Analysis: Miller’s the gold standard, but expect Tim David and Phillips to be decent fallback choices. The scarcity of quality finishers means prices will skyrocket.

8. Wicketkeeper-Batsman

• Available Premier Options: Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Phil Salt, Jonny Bairstow, Quinton de Kock
• Target Teams: CSK, RCB, KKR, MI, GT
• Demand: High (5 teams)
• Rarity: Rare

Auction Dynamics: Pant is at the top, bringing explosiveness and that X-factor. Kishan is a similar profile, which makes him just as attractive. Salt’s ability to both keep and open is a unique selling point. Bairstow and de Kock might go cheaper due to Pant and Kishan soaking up most of the budget.

Analysis: Pant and Kishan are the star attractions here. If a team wants a top-level keeper with hitting prowess, they’ll have to pay up.

9. Captaincy Material

• Available Premier Options: KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rishabh Pant
• Target Teams: KKR, DC, PBKS
• Demand: Moderate (3 teams)
• Rarity: Moderate

Auction Dynamics: Rahul and Pant both have experience, which makes them attractive. Shreyas has that recent success to back him, while Rana offers a budget captaincy option. Teams in need of a leader might look to lock in stability with one of these.

Analysis: Shreyas might be the safest bet for a solid captain. Pant’s versatility adds value too. Captaincy candidates could see a moderate spike if multiple teams need leadership.

Summary of Auction Dynamics

High-Demand and Very Rare Roles: Lead pacers, elite spinners, and finishers are the biggest battles to watch. Players like Miller, Archer, and Chahal will be highly contested, and their prices are set to soar.

Moderate Demand Roles: Supporting pacers and spinners should be more affordable due to higher availability. The middle-order will see some competition, but with enough depth, it shouldn’t get out of control.

Auction Wildcards: The wicketkeeper and captaincy spots will really depend on how much teams value a Rishab Pant or a Jos the Boss. Expect variability in bids based on each team’s specific needs both for cricketing matters and as a brand.

Curious to see how the actual bids play out—especially for those rare categories.

Team-by-Team Auction Analysis: What Do They Need?

Alright folks, continuing from the earlier breakdown of marquee options, let’s get into what each team is looking for in the upcoming auction. This part will go over each franchise’s remaining purse, key needs, and my thoughts on how they might approach their buying strategy. Lots of interesting gaps to fill, and it’s clear that some roles are going to be in huge demand based on the rarity we discussed earlier. Here we go:

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

• Remaining Purse: ₹55 crore

Key Auction Targets:

1. Opening Partner for Ruturaj Gaikwad: They need an aggressive partner who can take advantage of the powerplay, balancing Ruturaj's more controlled approach. Honestly, they’d want someone explosive to handle the early overs.
2. Domestic Batting Finisher: This is a tricky one. Domestic finishers are like rare gems, and CSK will definitely want to find someone who can step up alongside MSD. With Dhoni on his last legs, it's vital that they prepare for the future here.
3. Backup Wicketkeeper: Dhoni can’t keep all the time anymore—age catches up with everyone, even Thala. They need someone who can take over keeping duties when needed, easing his workload.
4. Death-Over Specialist (Pacer): A good domestic option would help CSK balance their budget. They need someone to nail those final overs, especially since death-over specialists are so rare and usually come with a hefty price tag.
5. Frontline Spin Bowler: To complement Jadeja, who hasn't been as effective lately. A reliable wicket-taker for those middle overs would really bring some balance.

Analysis: The key here for CSK is balancing experience and fresh talent. They need some stability in batting and a bit more depth in both spin and death-over options. Expect them to target some of the rare roles, but budget control will be crucial.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

• Remaining Purse: ₹83 crore

Key Auction Targets:

1. Middle-Order Core Batsman: Someone dependable, who can not only anchor but also push the pace if required. This is vital to stabilize their lineup.
2. Specialist Spinner: RCB lacks a top-tier spinner, and with how spin is becoming central to the T20 meta, they’ve got to get someone capable of turning matches.
3. Wicketkeeper-Batsman: They now have flexibility on whether the keeper opens or plays elsewhere. Ideally, a consistent lower-order batter who can adapt to pressure situations would be good.
4. Finisher: DK’s retirement leaves a big hole. They need a clutch performer who can deliver at the back end—someone who can stay calm under pressure and hit those big shots when needed.
5. Bowling All-Rounder: To deepen the batting and bolster their bowling unit. A pace-bowling all-rounder gives flexibility, especially in crunch games.

Analysis: RCB's focus need to be on versatility than 1, 2, 3 and inshallah. They need a proper spine for both batting and bowling, and it’s all about filling those supporting roles around their core stars.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

• Remaining Purse: ₹51 crore

Key Auction Targets:

1. Middle-Order Captaincy Option: With the captain's chair empty, they need a middle-order anchor who can also lead. Stability in leadership is crucial for KKR this season.
2. Aggressive Opener (Wicketkeeper): If they can snag a keeper-opener, that would be ideal—someone who can make the most of the powerplay, while also providing the dual-role flexibility.
3. Versatile Middle-Order Batsman: Narine is unpredictable with the bat, so a consistent middle-order guy who can slot in at different positions could make a world of difference.
4. Experienced Fast Bowler: A leader for the pace attack. They need someone reliable, particularly for the powerplay and the death—having a pace spearhead always helps.

Analysis: The captaincy void is the big question mark for now. KKR also wants someone reliable at the top—ideally someone explosive who can set the tone early.

Mumbai Indians (MI)

• Remaining Purse: ₹45 crore

Key Auction Targets:

1. International Bowling All-Rounder/Finisher: They need to fill the Pollard-sized hole in the lineup. Ideally, someone who can finish innings explosively and chip in with overs.
2. Frontline Spinner: MI’s spin department has been underwhelming, and they need a quality spinner to take wickets and control middle overs. There aren’t too many available, which will make this interesting.
3. Support Pacer (International): Bumrah and Hardik need backup, and an international support pacer would be perfect for this role—someone versatile enough to bowl in different phases of the innings.

Analysis: MI’s focus will be on finding high-impact players to replace their old guard. The key will be the spinner and a solid all-rounder. With limited funds, it’s all about choosing wisely.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

• Remaining Purse: ₹45 crore

Key Auction Targets:

1. Anchor at One Down: With two very aggressive openers, they need someone to anchor in case of early wickets. It’s about finding a dependable guy who can keep things steady.
2. Specialist Spinner: Their spin issues have cost them dearly. A strong, specialist spinner would help SRH in those middle overs. No more relying on just part-timers.
3. Death Specialist Pacer: SRH needs someone who can consistently deliver in the final overs. Closing out innings effectively has been a pain point.

Analysis: Tightening up their bowling is key. They need to find players who can fill those rare and high-impact roles in spin and death bowling.

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

• Remaining Purse: ₹41 crore

Key Auction Targets:

1. Lead Fast Bowler: A primary pace option is essential for the powerplay and beyond. They need someone to lead the charge.
2. Multiple Spin Bowlers: Their squad is batsman-heavy, so they need two quality spinners—one elite, one reliable—to strengthen the bowling unit. Spin depth is absolutely crucial for them.
3. Death-Over Specialist (Pacer): Given the importance of the final overs in T20 cricket, RR badly needs a death specialist to keep control at the back end.

Analysis: Balance is what RR needs. They have a strong batting core but need to bolster their bowling unit, especially with spin and finishing phases but their purse situations is very tricky.

Delhi Capitals (DC)

• Remaining Purse: ₹73 crore

Key Auction Targets:

1. Captaincy Material (Middle Order): With Pant out, they need a new captain—a reliable middle-order option who can hold the team together under pressure.
2. Aggressive Opener: They need someone who can start innings aggressively and provide a platform for the middle order.
3. Multiple Strike Pacers: They lost some key pace options, so they need to rebuild here. Ideally, they’d grab a mix of experience and young talent.
4. Versatile All-Rounder: A quality all-rounder provides crucial flexibility, allowing them to adapt strategy based on match conditions.

Analysis: Big focus on leadership and attacking options. They’ll need to spend wisely, but a new captain and pace revamp are top priorities.

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

• Remaining Purse: ₹110.5 crore

Key Auction Targets:

1. Captaincy Option: With no clear leader, they need a strong personality to pull the squad together. Captaincy material is a top target.
2. International Lead Pacer: Losing their key pacers, they need someone to lead the attack—ideally an international with a proven track record.
3. Opening Partner (Flexible Role): They need an adaptable opener who can adjust between aggression and stability depending on the situation.
4. Reliable Finisher: A dependable finisher is essential to complement their batting lineup. They’ve got the budget, so expect them to go after someone big here.
5. Middle-Over Wicket-Taker (Spinner): Managing those critical middle overs is key, and they need a specialist to ensure balance across phases.

Analysis: PBKS has plenty of funds but needs a cohesive unit. Captaincy and leading pace roles are huge needs, and they have the cash to make big moves but as often they have a huge chance to waste a lot of their purse.

Gujarat Titans (GT)

• Remaining Purse: ₹69 crore

Key Auction Targets:

1. Aggressive Opening Batsman: They need a hard-hitting opener to partner Shubman Gill, someone who can really exploit the powerplay.
2. Lead Fast Bowler: After losing their primary pacer, they’ll need someone capable of leading the attack.
3. Wicketkeeper-Batsman: To maintain lineup flexibility, they need a capable keeper who can contribute runs too.
4. Spin Support (Complement Rashid): Rashid’s great, but they need a reliable supporting spinner to keep things tight and add variety.

Analysis: The Titans are looking for that aggressive edge at the top and consistency in bowling.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

• Remaining Purse: ₹69 crore

Key Auction Targets:

1. Strike Fast Bowler: Injuries have impacted their fast-bowling stocks. They need someone to consistently lead the attack throughout the season.
2. Flexible Top-Order Batsman: A versatile top-order player who can either stabilize or attack based on the match situation would really round out their lineup.
3. Middle-Order Stabilizer: Another important gap is a middle-order anchor—someone who can come in and provide stability when the team is under pressure.

Analysis: LSG needs consistency in the bowling and flexibility up top. A middle-order rock would help them avoid collapses like against SRH or KKR last year, especially in tight situations given the Ekana stadium.

Final Thoughts:

• Teams like MI, and SRH need those rare specialist roles—finishers, lead pacers, and elite spinners—and will probably see the fiercest competition at a depleted purse.
• Meanwhile, PBKS has the biggest purse and plenty of gaps, meaning they might go big on several roles.
• Captaincy is a recurring need for a few franchises, adding another level of complexity to the auction. Finding a captain and then spending around that leader could make or break some strategies.

One of the worst retentions I've possibly seen in my life , this is up there with sarfaraz khan or abdul samad the difference is jurel is being paid 14 fucking crores for something the captain of the team already does, yes it would look bad for the press for sanju to not be first retention but let's be real here he doesn't deserve 18Cr, them leaving out butler/boult is a huge mistake which I know too well as a MI fan , they have the lowest purse going into the auctions also so they have to be forced to be the moneyball team again, the only silver lining is getting sandeep sharma for 4 Cr, they left their two highest wicket takers this cycle for what bs reason I don't know

Sanju- Over paid according to me, but he's their captain so had to do it for ego issues

Jaiswal- Deserves the 18Cr, young has already proven himself, I definitely see him as the captain of the franchise in the new future, possible future Indian all format star also

Parag- Always knew he will be retained because the owners like him very much, is giving returns also but I really don't see him going over 14Cr in the auctions in a fair world but all owners also know RR will spend even 30 Cr to get him back so I guess it's fair

Jurel- Already raged for him, doesn't deserve it all

Sandeep- Got him for a steal considering he bowls at the death along with the powerplay, one of the only better retentions

Hetymer- could have gotten him back in auction, I don't think he would have gone beyond 10Cr had RTM also

Bros really lost players like Boult, Chahal, Butler to retain these players , Dravid over cooked so hard my god, definitely the worst this cycle, they also only retained all batsmen except sandeep which is the only steal I feel, they don't even have a single RTM to get these players back, a disaster class all around for me

Rating- 4/10- Only silver linings is jaiswal and sandeep sharma for me, otherwise they threw hard this cycle, good luck buying the same quality bowling attack with 41Cr