The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet released the guidelines for player retention and releases for franchises ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction. However, reports are surfacing about the preferences of various teams. According to these reports, the BCCI is likely to allow franchises to retain no more than six players from their current squads, including those with the Right to Match option. Some teams are pushing for permission to retain as many as eight players, but this remains uncertain. The big question mark over MS Dhoni's future has prompted CSK to propose that the BCCI reintroduce an old rule related to player retention. This uncertainty over Dhoni's status adds one more layer of complexity into the retention process. With only five or six players likely to be retained, some big names are going to be released from their franchises. And that could put a whole set of cricket superstars on the auction block. Here are five big players who could see their franchises let them go before the IPL 2025 mega auction. 5 Players Likely to Be Released by Their Franchises Before IPL 2025 Auction Rohit Sharma Image Source: Khel Now Rohit Sharma undoubtedly is the bigget player on this list. He would be the obvious first contender for release especially after last season debacle for Mumbai Indians. Rohit, in a leaked conversation, was said to mention that 2024 might be his last season. Hardik Pandya being the new captain of the Mumbai franchise, it is more likely that he may want out of the place by the time the IPL 2025 rolls around. Also Read | CSK Shortlist Five Players for Retention for IPL 2025 KL Rahul Image Source: Hindustan Times As everyone would know, Lucknow Super Giants are looking for a new captain. KL Rahul's style of play was under the scanner and his incapability to keep games in hand made him the easy target for many critics. Even, the form plus KL Rahul's resultant position outside the regular India T20I side do give an indication that now he is no more part of the first eleven for this contest. There have been rumors that Rahul might return to his hometown franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and start a new journey. Faf du Plessis Image Source: BCCI The skipper of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Faf du Plessis, did not enjoy a great season last year. Now that he is 40 years old, his best times in T20 cricket seem to be behind him. Auctions for IPL 2025 are soon to take place, and RCB might be looking to renew the team list. Thus, a new captain could replace him in the team, and du Plessis could also get placed in the chopping list. Also Read | Top Uncapped Players RCB Might Look for in IPL 2025 Auction Venkatesh Iyer Image Source: BCCI Kolkata Knight Riders completed their title-winning campaign quite convincingly and it would be a very tricky call to pick out players to stay in the outfit. With players like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Mitchell Starc, Shreyas Iyer, or even Phil Salt likely to take precedence, perhaps he might end up in a precarious position. He might find himself among the list of released players by Kolkata Knight Riders. Glenn Maxwell Image Source: BCCI Glenn Maxwell is unlikely to continue with RCB as his campaign for IPL 2024 season was a failure for this team. The franchise may feel to spend the INR 14.25 crore spent on him on a better performer. Hence, Maxwell will look for the next team also before the auction.