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The Indian Premier League 2025 has reached its final stretch, with only the high-stakes playoff matches left to be played. Over the course of the season, fans have witnessed outstanding performances from emerging talents as well as consistent match-winners. However, the other side of the coin has also been evident—established names who were expected to dominate failed to justify their reputations or price tags.
The near end of the league stage has painted a fairly clear picture of who impressed and who faltered. Several top players from past seasons struggled to find rhythm, leaving their franchises in a dilemma heading into the mega auction for IPL 2026. With expectations soaring high every season, players who fail to deliver often find themselves on the release list.
Anil Kumble highlights players who should be released after IPL 2025
Joining the debate on underwhelming performers, former Indian captain and veteran spinner Anil Kumble shared his opinion on which players might face the axe after the current season. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Kumble listed out a group of players who, in his view, didn’t contribute enough to their respective teams and should be considered for release before the next season.
Here’s a look at the players Kumble believes could be on the chopping block:
- Ravichandran Ashwin (CSK) – Played 9 matches, picked up 7 wickets, but conceded runs at a costly economy rate of 9.13. The veteran spinner failed to create the same impact that he’s known for, and his performances were largely inconsistent.
- Devon Conway (CSK) – Scored 156 runs in 6 matches with two half-centuries, averaging 26.00. While he showed flashes of brilliance, his inability to provide stability at the top hurt CSK’s momentum in crucial games.
- Jake Fraser-McGurk (DC) – Managed only 55 runs from 6 matches, with a poor average of 9.17. The young Australian, who came into the IPL with high expectations, struggled to adjust to the conditions and pace of the tournament.
- Liam Livingstone (RCB) – In 8 matches, the Englishman scored just 87 runs with a solitary fifty. An average of 14.50 doesn’t justify his role as a power-hitter, and his inconsistency proved costly for RCB.
- Glenn Maxwell (PBKS) – One of the biggest disappointments of the season, Maxwell could only muster 48 runs in 7 games, averaging a mere 8.00. His poor form with the bat left Punjab’s middle order exposed time and again.
- Lungi Ngidi (RCB) – Played just 2 matches and picked 4 wickets, but conceded runs at an alarming economy of 10.13. His lack of control made him a liability in tight contests.
- Mohammed Shami (SRH) – Featured in 9 matches and took only 6 wickets, leaking runs with a concerning economy of 11.23. The experienced Indian pacer couldn’t replicate his past brilliance and looked off-colour throughout.
- Shimron Hetmyer (RR) – Though he played all 14 league matches, Hetmyer scored only 239 runs with one fifty at an average of 21.73. Known for his finishing skills, he struggled to convert starts into big knocks this season.
- Venkatesh Iyer (KKR) – Managed just 142 runs in 11 games with a single fifty and an average of 20.29. The left-hander was unable to anchor the innings or provide explosive starts at the top.
Will the stars get another chance in IPL 2026?
The big question now is: will these players get another shot at redemption in IPL 2026? Given that the next season will feature a mini auction, franchises wouldn’t have too much space to rebuild their squads. For some of the players named by Kumble, a release may not mean the end of their IPL careers. Veterans like Ashwin, Shami, and Maxwell still hold experience and skill that teams might value, especially if they bounce back in domestic cricket or overseas leagues in the coming months.
However, the IPL is unforgiving, and reputation alone rarely guarantees a second chance. It all boils down to performance, fitness, and current form. With the emergence of young Indian talents and a growing pool of global T20 stars, competition for limited spots has never been fiercer.
Also READ: Top 5 highest successful run chases in the history of IPL ft. RCB
