IPL 2025: 3 Players That SRH Will Be Forced To Release Because Of New Retention Rules
Pat Cummins led SRH to the final of IPL 2024 (Source: @nameisrocky_/X.com)
After a long wait, BCCI has finally released the retention rules for the mega auction of IPL 2025. Each franchise is allowed to retain a maximum of six players. They can retain those players before the auction or buy them back through RTM cards during the auction, which has now added an extra layer of spice to the already buzzing market of the Indian Premier League.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, the finalists of the 2024 season gained lot of fan-following in the last edition due to their aggressive approach and formed a solid team with all bases covered. However, they would have to leave out some of their big stars now due to retention compulsions and let's see who would be those three unlucky stars.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The swing-king of Indian cricket joined SRH in the 2014 IPL season and since then has been an integral part of SRH's setup. He has seen the highs and lows of the franchise and played a big role in SRH's title win in the 2016 season. However, with his returns dwindling a bit in the last few years and age also not on his side, SRH might be forced to end their long association with the star pacer.
In the last season, Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked 11 wickets in 16 matches but his economy rate was over 9. Also, SRH are expected to back majority of their batting stars who were instrumental in their success in the 2024 season, and so, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is likely to be released ahead of mega auction.
T Natarajan
The left-arm pacer is known for his perfect yorkers, and has been a great asset for SRH at the death. He bowled quite well in the last season as well and picked 19 wickets, most of them coming at crucial juncture for his team. However, with other quality overseas stars at SRH's disposal, they would have to leave out a quality bowler like Natarajan.
Injuries have also troubled the Tamil Nadu lad throughout his career, and the Orange Army is unlikely to take the risk of selecting him over other reliable option in their arsenal.
Aiden Markram
The current South African T20 captain is known for his immense talent and provides the stability and class to the batting order. He even led SRH in the 2023 season, but could not deliver to his billing both as a leader and as a batter. The middle order batter scored just 220 runs in 11 innings in the 2024 season when all other batters around him delivered, and so SRH is likely to let go their former skipper ahead of mega auction.