5 released players who made their former franchises regret in IPL 2025 – OneCricket

OneCricket
Released players in 2025 (Source: X.com/@KnightsVibe & @krunalpandya24)
On Thursday, the final date and venue for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Mini auction were confirmed. As reported by Sportstar, the bidding is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16. With only a month or so left before the auction, speculation about the IPL 2026 player retention and release list is making headlines.
Notably, being released by a franchise has a psychological impact, underscoring their ineffectiveness. Putting additional pressure on the released player to prove their mettle for the future team.
Nonetheless, turning the odds in their favour, in IPL 2025, the following players made their former franchises regret releasing them.
After being released by the Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2024, Mitchell Marsh turned things around for the better. Marsh, with his ability to dominate with the bat, had his best IPL season in 2025, making it the most destructive season by an Australian batter in IPL history. 
Even more destructive than any of David Warner’s seasons, and even Glenn Maxwell’s 2014. 
Notably, before this season, Marsh had scored only 665 runs in 36 innings across 15 years in the tournament. However, by the end of the league stages of IPL 2025, Marsh signed off having scored 627 runs in just 13 innings, breaking several records in the process.
His performance for the Lucknow Supergiants certainly made DC regret their decision not to retain this destructive batter in form. Despite a good start to their IPL 2025 campaign, the Capitals failed to qualify for the playoffs, largely due to a lack of strength in the batting department. 
Playing a vital role in the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) maiden IPL trophy in 18 years, Krunal Pandya was highly appreciated for his tactical brilliance with the ball throughout the season. Pandya capped off the IPL 2025 not only with a trophy but also 25 scalps in 15 matches at an average of 19.52, best figures of 4/41.
Often questioned for his effectiveness, Krunal had a below-par campaign with the LSG. Thus, released ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. Winning the player of the match in the final for his brilliant 2/17 in 4 overs, the spinner broke shackles and proved his value, despite being released after IPL 2024. 
Prasidh Krishna missed the whole of IPL 2024 after undergoing surgery for a torn left proximal quadriceps tendon, post which he was released by Rajasthan Royals (RR), unaware of what was yet to come. 
Krishna had a stellar IPL 2025 season with the Gujarat Titans, winning the Purple Cap as the leading wicket-taker with 25 wickets in 15 matches. RR’s choice to let go of the pacer proved to be a decision they must have regretted in the following season. 
20-year-old Noor has slowly risen up the ranks for Afghanistan. Despite a decent run, Gujarat Titans chose not to retain the spinner. Unfazed by the release, the Afghan spinner proved why he is being labelled as one of the best up-and-coming spinners in white-ball cricket in the world. 
Noor Ahmad, who was acquired by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the IPL Mega Auction 2025 for a deal worth INR 10 Crore, took no time to prove to be worth his price. He bagged 4/18 with his spin attack in CSK’s first match of the season against Mumbai Indians. 
CSK might have finished last on the IPL 2025 points table, but trusting the young spinner worked out best in their favour.
The top and most notable name on the list of players who left their former franchise scratching heads and questioning decisions, was Shreyas Iyer. Despite leading the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their 3rd IPL title after a decade, Iyer was released at the IPL 2025 auction for undisclosed reasons. 
However, with ‘fire in the eyes and ice in the veins’, Iyer led Punjab Kings, the perennial underperformers, to the finals. And if 603 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 175+ weren’t enough, that ice-cold 87 in Qualifier 2 sent the critics packing.
For whatever reason, KKR’s decision not to retain their winning captain haunted them in the following edition and could be a matter of concern until they find a leader like Iyer. 

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