Ricky Ponting expressed surprise over IPL franchises releasing key players like Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul ahead of the 2025 mega auction, suggesting teams are shifting strategies while also commenting on MS Dhoni’s likely mentoring role for the Chennai Super Kings.
New Delhi: Former Australia captain and Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting expressed his surprise over IPL franchises choosing not to retain key players like Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul ahead of the 2025 mega auction. Ponting suggested that teams may be looking to adopt new strategies and take their rosters in a different direction.
Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals), Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders), and KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants) were released by their franchises, despite having strong batting performances in the 2024 season. On Thursday, October 31, all ten franchises revealed their retention lists, with Iyer notably having captained the Knight Riders to victory this year.
During the latest episode of the ICC Review, the Tasmanian expressed his admiration for the impressive array of star players set to participate in this year’s mega auction.
“There are a lot of exciting players. So many. I’m a bit surprised with some of the non-Indian retentions if you like, with both Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant being available in the auctions. It was a bit surprising, even KL Rahul to a certain degree. It seems like individuals or franchises are busy looking to move in different directions to some of their players.”
Following the IPL 2024 match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, which ended in a 10-wicket defeat for his team, Rahul appeared to have a fallout with the franchise’s owner, Sanjiv Goenka.
Ricky Ponting expressed that while the Chennai Super Kings retained Dhoni as an uncapped player, it is unlikely he will participate in every match. Instead, he may take on a mentoring role within the team.
“Two seasons back, he had his worst season, but then last year he bounced back to really have some impact on the game. MS Dhoni evolved. I think it might be the same, though they might not look at getting him through the season, maybe resting him for a game or two.
“We shouldn’t forget that he’s been injured over the last couple of seasons, but any team he is going to be in he’ll be a mentor and leader of that group – whether he’s playing or on the sidelines. That’s why he’s so important to Chennai, for the leadership he brings, on and off the field.”
The date and venue for the IPL 2025 auction is yet to be announced.
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