SRH Retentions for IPL 2025: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) reportedly has made significant moves in their retention strategy, with South African power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen emerging as the top retained player.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Klaasen is set to earn a staggering INR 23 crore (approximately $2.74 million), marking a remarkable 338% increase from his previous salary of INR 5.25 crore, which SRH paid for him during the IPL 2023 mini-auction.

Pat Cummins (Australia) at INR 18 crore ($2.14 million). Cummins, who led SRH to the final in 2024, will continue as captain for the 2025 season, although his salary reflects a 12.2% reduction from his 2024 price of INR 20.5 crore. Abhishek Sharma (India) at INR 14 crore ($1.67 million). Abhishek's impressive performance in the 2024 season has earned him a 115% salary increase, a well-deserved reward for his outstanding contributions.
In addition, SRH is expected to finalize the retentions of Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy, enhancing their core squad as they prepare for the upcoming mega auction.
Strategic Insights
The IPL has established a deadline of October 31 for franchises to finalize their retentions, allowing SRH to strategically manage their squad composition. Teams can retain up to six players, including a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped Indians, giving SRH the flexibility to reinforce their lineup effectively.
Successful franchises often prioritize retaining a strong core, and SRH's decision to keep Klaasen, Cummins, and Abhishek showcases their commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in the tournament. Klaasen's impressive statistics, including a strike rate of 171.07 and 927 runs in 26 innings across two seasons, highlight his rising status as one of the premier T20 batters globally.
Abhishek's performance further solidifies his position, with a T20 strike rate of 194.84 in 2024, the highest among players facing over 200 balls in the format this year. His contributions, along with Reddy's promising start to his career, suggest a bright future for SRH as they aim for a successful IPL 2025.