Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are poised for significant changes as they prepare for the IPL 2025 mega auction. Reports suggest that the franchise is unlikely to retain their title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer, star allrounder Andre Russell, and fast bowler Mitchell Starc. Instead, KKR aims to focus on retaining a core group of players who have consistently contributed to the team’s success.
Whom will KKR Retain for IPL 2025?
KKR is expected to retain four players: Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, and uncapped fast bowler Harshit Rana. This strategy reflects the franchise’s emphasis on building around players who have shown promise and performance in recent seasons.
There is also speculation about retaining a second uncapped player, Ramandeep Singh, known for his explosive batting in the lower middle order. If KKR opts to keep Ramandeep, they will have only one right-to-match option left for a capped player at the auction. This could limit their chances of bringing back either Iyer, Russell, or Starc.
Will KKR Retain Shreyas Iyer, Andre Russell and Mitchell Starc?
The deadline for KKR to submit their retained players list is October 31. Teams can retain up to six players, including a maximum of five capped internationals and two uncapped players. Retaining these players will result in significant deductions from KKR’s auction purse. They will lose at least INR 47 crore for four players or INR 51 crore if they retain five.
Shreyas Iyer has been a pivotal figure for KKR since joining as their most expensive purchase at the 2022 mega auction for INR 12.25 crore. Under his leadership, KKR secured their first IPL title since 2014 in the 2024 season. He scored 351 runs at a strike rate of nearly 147 during that campaign.
Andre Russell has been with KKR since IPL 2014 and has become synonymous with explosive performances. Last season, he scored 222 runs at a strike rate of 185 and took 19 wickets, including three in the IPL final. Both players are expected to attract substantial bids in the upcoming auction due to their experience and impact.
Mitchell Starc’s situation is also noteworthy. Acquired for a record INR 24.75 crore at the IPL 2024 auction, Starc had a mixed performance during the league phase but played crucial roles in KKR’s victories in Qualifier 1 and the final with figures of 3 for 34 and 2 for 14, respectively. Despite this, his overall performance may not be enough to secure his retention.
Narine, Chakravarthy to be Awarded for IPL 2024
Among the retained players, Sunil Narine has been vital for KKR’s success, earning the title of Most Valuable Player in IPL 2024. He contributed significantly with both bat and ball, scoring crucial runs at the top of the order while taking 17 wickets with an economy rate of just 6.69.
Varun Chakravarthy has also been a standout performer since joining KKR in 2020, taking a total of 41 wickets over the last two seasons—making him one of the leading bowlers in the league. Rinku Singh’s recent performances have propelled him into India’s T20I team, showcasing his ability to finish games with a strike rate of 207.97 since 2022.
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