IPL 2023: Complete List Of Retained Players

Oct 29, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 44 views

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in India contested every year between March and May by ten teams representing ten different cities in India. The IPL is the most-attended cricket league in the world and ranks sixth among all sports leagues. The IPL is a huge deal, guys! And one of the most exciting parts leading up to each season is figuring out which players each team decides to keep, also known as the retained players. Let's dive into the complete list of retained players for IPL 2023.

What Does "Retained Players" Actually Mean?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's quickly break down what it means for a player to be retained. In simple terms, it means that a franchise has chosen to keep a particular player from their previous squad for the upcoming season. Instead of releasing them back into the auction pool, the team values their contribution and wants them back in their lineup. This can be for a variety of reasons – maybe the player is a consistent performer, a key leader, or just someone the team thinks has a lot of potential. Retaining players provides stability and continuity, which is super important for team dynamics.

Why Teams Retain Players

Teams retain players for a multitude of strategic reasons that go beyond just on-field performance. Building a consistent team culture and maintaining a core group of players can be incredibly valuable. These retained players often form the backbone of the team, providing experience, leadership, and mentorship to newer players. Think of it like having a group of seasoned veterans who know the ins and outs of the team's strategy and can guide the younger players. This continuity can translate to better team cohesion and performance on the field. Furthermore, retaining popular players can also boost fan engagement and merchandise sales. Let's be real, everyone loves their favorite players, and knowing they'll be back in action for the team can get fans even more hyped up for the season!

Retaining players also allows teams to maintain a strategic advantage by holding onto players with specialized skills or those who fit perfectly into their established game plan. For example, a team might retain a star bowler who excels in the death overs or a dynamic batsman who can change the game in a matter of balls. Holding onto these key players prevents other teams from acquiring them and potentially disrupting the team's balance. Teams also consider the financial aspects of retaining players. While retaining a player often comes at a higher cost than acquiring a new player in the auction, it can be a more cost-effective option in the long run, especially if the player has proven their worth and consistently delivers strong performances. All of these factors come into play when teams decide who to retain, making it a complex and strategic decision-making process.

IPL 2023 Retained Players: Team by Team

Alright, let's get to the heart of the matter! Here's a team-by-team breakdown of the players who were retained for the IPL 2023 season. Get ready to see if your favorite players are staying with their teams!

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

MS Dhoni (Captain)
Ravindra Jadeja
Devon Conway
Moeen Ali
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Deepak Chahar
Shivam Dube
Ambati Rayudu
Dwaine Pretorius
Maheesh Theekshana
Prashant Solanki
Tushar Deshpande
Mukesh Choudhary
Simarjeet Singh
Rajvardhan Hangargekar
Subhranshu Senapati

CSK, under the leadership of the legendary MS Dhoni, has always been known for its stability and the trust it places in its core players. The retention of Dhoni himself is a massive boost, not just for his captaincy but also for the sheer inspiration he brings to the team and its fans. Jadeja's all-round abilities make him an invaluable asset, while players like Conway and Gaikwad provide the team with a strong batting foundation. The presence of experienced campaigners like Moeen Ali and Deepak Chahar further strengthens CSK's chances. Their strategy is clear: stick with a proven formula and back the players who have delivered in the past.

Delhi Capitals (DC)

Rishabh Pant (Captain)
David Warner
Prithvi Shaw
Anrich Nortje
Axar Patel
Mitchell Marsh
Sarfaraz Khan
Kamlesh Nagarkoti
Kuldeep Yadav
Khaleel Ahmed
Lalit Yadav
Lungi Ngidi
Praveen Dubey
Mustafizur Rahman
Vicky Ostwal
Ripal Patel

DC has focused on retaining a mix of explosive batsmen and quality bowlers. Rishabh Pant's captaincy and aggressive batting style are crucial to their approach. Warner and Shaw provide firepower at the top of the order, while Nortje's pace and Axar's spin make them key bowlers. Marsh adds balance with his all-round skills. The Capitals have built a team with a blend of youth and experience, aiming to create a dynamic and aggressive playing style.

Gujarat Titans (GT)

Hardik Pandya (Captain)
Rashid Khan
David Miller
Shubman Gill
Mohammed Shami
Alzarri Joseph
Rahul Tewatia
Wriddhiman Saha
Vijay Shankar
Yash Dayal
Jayant Yadav
Noor Ahmad
R. Sai Kishore
Darshan Nalkande
Pradeep Sangwan
Matthew Wade

As the defending champions, GT has retained a core group of players who led them to victory. Hardik Pandya's captaincy and all-round brilliance are central to their success. Rashid Khan's spin and David Miller's power-hitting are also vital. The team has a well-balanced squad with a mix of experience and young talent, capable of performing under pressure. Their retention strategy reflects their confidence in the winning combination they have built.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
Andre Russell
Sunil Narine
Varun Chakravarthy
Nitish Rana
Venkatesh Iyer
Lockie Ferguson
Umesh Yadav
Tim Southee
Harshit Rana
Anukul Roy
Rinku Singh
Rahmanullah Gurbaz

KKR has retained a blend of explosive players and mystery spinners. Shreyas Iyer's captaincy and batting prowess are crucial, while Russell and Narine provide power-hitting and spin options. Chakravarthy's mystery spin adds another dimension to their attack. The team has aimed to retain players who can perform multiple roles and bring versatility to their lineup.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

KL Rahul (Captain)
Marcus Stoinis
Ravi Bishnoi
Quinton de Kock
Mark Wood
Deepak Hooda
Krunal Pandya
Avesh Khan
Mohsin Khan
Ayush Badoni
Karan Sharma
Mayank Yadav
Yudhvir Singh Charak
Daniel Sams
Kyle Mayers

LSG has focused on retaining a strong batting lineup and quality all-rounders. KL Rahul's captaincy and opening batting are essential, while Stoinis and de Kock add firepower. Bishnoi's spin is a key weapon. The team has built a squad with a mix of experience and young talent, aiming for a dynamic and aggressive approach.

Mumbai Indians (MI)

Rohit Sharma (Captain)
Jasprit Bumrah
Suryakumar Yadav
Kieron Pollard
Ishan Kishan
Dewald Brevis
Tim David
Jofra Archer
Hrithik Shokeen
Kumar Kartikeya Singh
Arjun Tendulkar
Akash Madhwal

MI has retained a core of match-winners and exciting young talent. Rohit Sharma's captaincy and batting are vital, while Bumrah's bowling is world-class. Suryakumar Yadav's versatility and Pollard's power-hitting add depth. The team has aimed to retain players who can perform under pressure and bring a winning mentality.

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

Shikhar Dhawan (Captain)
Liam Livingstone
Kagiso Rabada
Arshdeep Singh
Jonny Bairstow
Rahul Chahar
Shahrukh Khan
Harpreet Brar
Prabhsimran Singh
Rishi Dhawan
Raj Bawa
Atharva Taide
Nathan Ellis
Baltej Singh
Vidwath Kaverappa

PBKS has retained a mix of explosive batsmen and quality bowlers. Shikhar Dhawan's captaincy and experience are crucial, while Livingstone and Bairstow provide firepower. Rabada's pace and Arshdeep's swing make them key bowlers. The team has built a squad with a blend of youth and experience, aiming for a dynamic and aggressive playing style.

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Sanju Samson (Captain)
Jos Buttler
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Ravichandran Ashwin
Trent Boult
Shimron Hetmyer
Devdutt Padikkal
Prasidh Krishna
Yuzvendra Chahal
Riyan Parag
KC Cariappa
Kuldeep Sen
Navdeep Saini
Obed McCoy
KM Asif
Kunal Rathore

RR has retained a strong batting lineup and quality spinners. Sanju Samson's captaincy and batting are essential, while Buttler and Jaiswal provide explosive starts. Ashwin and Chahal's spin is a key weapon. The team has built a squad with a mix of experience and young talent, aiming for a dynamic and aggressive approach.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Faf du Plessis (Captain)
Virat Kohli
Glenn Maxwell
Mohammed Siraj
Dinesh Karthik
Harshal Patel
Wanindu Hasaranga
Shahbaz Ahmed
Akash Deep
Josh Hazlewood
Mahipal Lomror
Finn Allen
Suyash Prabhudessai
Karn Sharma
Siddharth Kaul
David Willey

RCB has retained a core of star players and promising youngsters. Faf du Plessis's captaincy and Kohli's batting are vital, while Maxwell's all-round skills are crucial. Siraj's pace is a key weapon. The team has aimed to retain players who can perform under pressure and bring a winning mentality.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

Aiden Markram (Captain)
Abdul Samad
Umran Malik
Washington Sundar
T. Natarajan
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Glenn Phillips
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Kartik Tyagi
Marco Jansen
Abhishek Sharma
Rahul Tripathi
Mayank Agarwal
Heinrich Klaasen
Adil Rashid
Mayank Markande

SRH has retained a mix of experienced players and exciting young talent. Aiden Markram's captaincy and batting are crucial, while Umran Malik's pace is a key weapon. Sundar's all-round skills add depth. The team has aimed to retain players who can perform under pressure and bring a winning mentality.

Final Thoughts

The retention of players is a crucial aspect of IPL team strategy. It's all about finding the right balance between experience, talent, and team dynamics. As we gear up for IPL 2023, it's going to be super interesting to see how these retained players perform and whether the teams' retention strategies pay off on the field. Who do you think made the smartest moves? Let us know in the comments below!