IPL 2025: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) is finalizing its player retention strategy for the IPL 2025 auction by retaining Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy as their last two capped players. According to ESPNcricinfo, Head is expected to be retained for INR 14 crore, while Reddy will secure a deal worth INR 6 crore.
Completing The Capped Player Quota
With these two signings, SRH will complete their quota of five capped retained players, solidifying the core group that led them to the IPL 2024 final. This retention will result in a loss of INR 75 crore from their total purse of INR 120 crore. Previously, SRH confirmed the retention of Heinrich Klaasen (INR 23 crore), Pat Cummins (INR 18 crore), and Abhishek Sharma (INR 14 crore). They will have the option to use a right-to-match card to reclaim one uncapped player at the auction.
Also Read: IPL 2025: MS Dhoni And Four Others Are Reatained Ahead Of Mega Auction!
Deadline For Retentions
October 31 marks the deadline for all ten franchises to submit their lists of retained players ahead of the mega auction. Each franchise can retain up to six players, including a maximum of five capped internationals and two uncapped players. The IPL has established minimum retention costs: INR 18 crore for the first player, INR 14 crore for the second, INR 11 crore for the third, INR 18 crore for the fourth, and INR 14 crore for the fifth. However, teams can choose to pay more than these minimum amounts.
Leadership And Performance Insights
Pat Cummins will continue as captain of SRH after successfully guiding the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Klaasen’s price tag, notably higher than the IPL’s stipulated amount for first retained players, has raised eyebrows, but Head’s increase is even more striking.
Head enjoyed a breakout season with SRH in 2024, scoring 567 runs at an impressive strike rate of 191.55. He became only the second T20 batter to surpass 1000 runs in a single year while maintaining an average of over 40.
Although he didn’t shine in the IPL final against Kolkata Knight Riders, his past performances, including a century against India in the World Test Championship final and another in the ODI World Cup final, demonstrate his capability on big stages. His price has more than doubled from the INR 6.8 crore he fetched at the IPL 2024 auction.
Rising Star: Nitish Kumar Reddy
Nitish Kumar Reddy, just 21, has seen a significant increase in value, going from INR 20 lakh in 2023 to INR 6 crore. He was named the Emerging Player of the Year in IPL 2024, amassing 303 runs at a strike rate of 143 and contributing with three wickets.
Although he missed a T20I series in Zimbabwe due to injury, Reddy made his international debut against Bangladesh in October. He is set to travel to Australia as part of the India A squad for upcoming four-day games and will also be included in the India squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting November 22.
