Top Devastating Releases from IPL 2025 Teams That Left Fans Heartbroken

The IPL has always been more than just cricket as it’s a mix of intense rivalries, unexpected friendships, and heartbreaking departures. Over the years, we’ve seen players from different nations bond like brothers, while some friendships have turned into fierce rivalries under the pressure of competition. But nothing stings more for fans than seeing their favorite players released. With so much passion and loyalty attached to teams, these departures often spark emotional reactions. As IPL 2025 approaches, a few player releases have already left fans shocked and heartbroken. Let’s take a closer look at the most emotional player exits that have shaken the IPL world this season. And you can always place bets on upcoming events on the JeetBuzz website.

5 Emotional Player Releases of IPL 2025

The IPL 2025 Auction brought in big contracts for some players, but it also left fans heartbroken as their favorite stars were released. While some releases were expected, others came as a complete shock, sparking emotional reactions across social media. Here is a look at the top five player releases that left supporters emotional and changed the dynamics of IPL 2025.

1.Mohammed Siraj from Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Back in 2017, a young fast bowler from Hyderabad caught the eye of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. That boy was Mohammed Siraj, and little did anyone know, he would go on to become a fan favorite at RCB. He officially joined the team in 2018 and, despite struggling in 2019, the franchise stood by him. No one believed in him more than Virat Kohli, and that faith paid off when Siraj delivered a breakthrough season in 2020, picking up 11 wickets. By 2023, he had cemented his place as RCB’s pace spearhead, grabbing 19 wickets in 14 matches and proving his worth.

His aggression, passion, and admiration for Kohli made him a beloved figure among RCB fans. However, the 2024 season was a tough one as his performances dipped, taking 15 wickets in 14 matches with an economy of 9.18 and an average of 33.06. With the team looking to rebuild, RCB made the heartbreaking decision to release him ahead of the 2025 auction. The Gujarat Titans swooped in, signing Siraj for a massive INR 12.25 crore. While RCB fans will deeply miss him, the excitement of seeing Siraj vs. Kohli in IPL 2025 promises to be an unmissable battle!

2. Jos Buttler from Rajasthan Royals

Imagine an opener who has scored over 3,000 runs, smashed 7 centuries in 7 years, maintained a strike rate close to 150, and finished countless matches for his team—yet still gets released. That’s the story of Jos Buttler, a player who was more than just a batter for Rajasthan Royals as he was an emotion. Joining the team in 2018, Buttler made an instant impact, scoring 548 runs in 13 innings, single-handedly carrying RR to the playoffs. His best season came in 2022, where he was simply unstoppable and scored 863 runs in 17 innings, including 4 centuries, and guiding Rajasthan to the finals.

Fans believed they had a match-winner they could always rely on, and even in 2024, while his numbers dipped slightly, he still managed 359 runs, including two centuries. His unforgettable innings against Kolkata Knight Riders, where he chased down a massive target on his own, proved why he was called “Jos The Boss.” But ahead of IPL 2025, RR made the shocking decision to release him. In the auction, Gujarat Titans secured Buttler for a whopping INR 15.75 crore. While RR fans will miss seeing him alongside Sanju Samson, the thought of Buttler in a new jersey will take time to sink in.

3.Rishabh Pant from Delhi Capitals

The boy from Delhi, who became the heart and soul of Delhi Capitals, has now moved on. Rishabh Pant, who joined the team in 2016, was more than just a player as he was an emotion for the franchise and its fans. Through every high and low, he stood by the team, and the team stood by him. Even after his tragic accident in 2022, DC showed their unwavering support, keeping his jersey in the dugout as a tribute. When Pant finally returned in 2024, it was a moment of joy for every DC fan. His best IPL season came in 2018, where he was simply unstoppable, smashing 684 runs in 14 matches at an average of 52.61.

His breathtaking century against Sunrisers Hyderabad that year remains one of the finest knocks in IPL history. In 2024, after recovering from injury, he was not just back as he was leading the team as captain. He delivered again, scoring 446 runs in 13 innings with a blistering strike rate of 155.40. But after IPL 2024, rumors of internal disputes surfaced, leading to a shocking decision and Pant was released before the 2025 auction. The Lucknow Super Giants snapped him up for a record INR 27 crore. For DC fans, watching him play for another team will be heartbreaking.

4. Shreyas Iyer from Kolkata Knight Riders

Imagine leading a team to IPL glory, only to be released instead of being rewarded. That’s exactly what happened to Shreyas Iyer, the captain who won Kolkata Knight Riders their third IPL title in 2024, only to be let go before IPL 2025. Shreyas joined KKR in 2022, already known for being the only captain to take Delhi Capitals to an IPL final. KKR wasted no time in making him their leader, hoping he would bring the same magic. However, 2022 was a tough season as KKR failed to qualify for the playoffs, and Shreyas had a decent run, scoring 401 runs in 14 matches.

In 2023, injury ruled him out, and he had to watch from the sidelines. But 2024 was different. Shreyas led from the front, guiding KKR to their first title since 2014. Fans celebrated him as the hero who brought the trophy home. Yet, despite his leadership and impact, KKR made the shocking decision to release him before the 2025 auction. The Punjab Kings swooped in, signing him for IPL 2025. For KKR fans, seeing their title-winning captain in another jersey will be painful and a decision that will be hard to forget.

5.Bhuvneshwar Kumar from Sunrisers Hyderabad

For Sunrisers Hyderabad fans, heartbreak is nothing new. Over the years, they’ve had to say goodbye to David Warner, Rashid Khan, Kane Williamson, and many more. But the pain of losing Bhuvneshwar Kumar might just be the hardest to bear. From 2014 to 2024, Bhuvi wasn’t just a player as he was the backbone of SRH’s bowling attack. He won the Purple Cap twice in 2016 and 2017, leading the team to its maiden IPL title in 2016 with his exceptional performances. Season after season, he delivered with the ball, playing 145 matches and taking 157 wickets at an impressive average of 26.82.

Whether it was swinging the new ball or handling the pressure in the death overs, he was always the team’s go-to bowler. But ahead of IPL 2025, SRH couldn’t afford to buy him back, and in a heartbreaking twist, Royal Challengers Bengaluru signed him for INR 10.75 crore. For SRH fans, seeing him bowl in a different jersey will be painful. And when their team struggles to close out matches in the death overs, they’ll remember how Bhuvi had done it effortlessly for a decade, a void that won’t be easy to fill.

6.Deepak Chahar from Chennai Super Kings

Back in the days of Rising Pune Supergiants, MS Dhoni spotted a young swing bowler and confidently told him, “You’ll be playing for Chennai Super Kings next year.” That bowler was Deepak Chahar, and that moment marked the beginning of his incredible journey in yellow. Joining CSK in 2018, Chahar quickly became the team’s swing king, playing a crucial role in three IPL title wins over the next seven years. His best season came in 2019, where he picked up 22 wickets in 17 matches, emerging as the team’s most reliable bowler.

With his ability to swing the ball both ways, he played 76 matches for CSK, taking 76 wickets and often giving the team fiery starts with the new ball. However, injuries hampered his consistency, and he missed several matches over the years. After IPL 2024, CSK made the tough decision to move on, releasing him ahead of the auction. In a heartbreaking twist for fans, Chahar was snapped up by CSK’s arch-rivals for INR 9.25 crore. Seeing him in a blue jersey instead of yellow, especially in the high-voltage El Clásico, will be an emotional moment for every CSK fan.

What about the Other Players?

Every IPL Mega Auction brings excitement, but it also comes with heartbreak. Teams are forced to part ways with star players and fan favorites, leaving supporters struggling to process the change. Whether it’s Ishan Kishan leaving Mumbai Indians, KL Rahul departing from Lucknow Super Giants, David Miller from Gujarat Titans, or Faf du Plessis from Royal Challengers Bengaluru, these moves feel personal to the fans. Watching their beloved players don a different jersey is never easy, but that’s the nature of the game.

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