IPL 2025: Top 5 players who took paycuts to get retained

All teams submitted their retained players list for IPL 2025 on October 31.

On October 31, all 10 Indian Premier League (IPL) teams submitted their retention lists for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. With the strict retention rule limiting each team to a maximum of six retained players, several high-profile T20 stars have found themselves unexpectedly released.

After releasing many high-profile players before the auction, several teams are expected to compete fiercely in the bidding war in the IPL 2025 mega auction to bring back these match-winners either by buying them outright or using the RTM card if available.

On the other hand, a few players have decided to stay with their current franchises by lowering their salaries. In this article, we will look at the top five players who took pay cuts to get retained for IPL 2025.

Top five players who took paycuts to get retained

5. Shahrukh Khan

Gujrat Titans signed Shahrukh Khan for INR 7.4 crores at the mini auction before IPL 2024. Shahrukh played in seven games, scoring 127 runs at a strike rate of 169. Shahrukh’s maiden fifty in IPL came in a losing cause when he smashed 58 runs off 30 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Shahrukh Khan has earned himself a name as a powerful finisher in T20 cricket, though his domestic success hasn’t yet translated much in IPL. The 29-year-old has been retained by GT as an uncapped player for INR 4 crores.

4. Rahul Tewatia

Another Gujarat Titans player on this list is Rahul Tewatia, who has also been retained as an uncapped player for INR 4 crores.

Tewatia was decent for the Gujarat franchise last season, scoring 188 runs from 12 matches, at an average of 26.86 and a strike rate of 145.74. Rahul Tewatia has been a key player for the Titans since joining them in 2022. The southpaw has taken a massive paycut from INR 9 crores to 4 crores.

3. MS Dhoni

Legendary wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni has been retained by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) this year as an uncapped player. Dhoni’s contract was INR 12 crores last season. However, this year, due to the return of the uncapped player rule, MS Dhoni has been retained for just INR 4 crores.

Dhoni was at his destructive best last season, scoring 161 runs at a blistering strike rate of 220. Dhoni will continue to assist Ruturaj Gaikwad as the latter takes baby steps into CSK’s captaincy.

2. Andre Russell

Andre Russell has been a key player for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a decade. Russell’s role in the KKR batting lineup last year was limited with the likes of Sunil Narine and Phil Salt in red-hot form. However, he shone with the ball, delivering clutch performances, including a three-wicket haul in the final.

Previously drawing an INR 16 crores salary, Russell’s new contract with KKR is worth INR 12 crores for IPL 2025.

1. Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins joined Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2024 after winning the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Cummins’ first season as SRH captain was a success as he steered the franchise to their first final since 2018.

Cummins was bought last year for a whopping INR 20.50 crores. However, he has been retained for INR 18 crores for the IPL 2025 season. Cummins was excellent with the ball in the IPL 2024, picking up 18 wickets in 16 games.

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