As the countdown to the IPL 2025 mega auction begins, all ten franchises are finalizing their player retention lists before the October 31 deadline. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the reigning champions, are expected to make some surprising decisions regarding their squad.
Key Retention Decisions
Reports indicate that KKR plans to retain only four players from their current roster, with a possibility of exercising the ‘Right to Match’ option on two additional players. The players likely to be retained include:
- Sunil Narine: Last season’s player of the tournament.
- Varun Chakravarthy: A key bowler in the squad.
- Harshit Rana: Emerging as a promising talent.
- Rinku Singh: A significant contributor to the team’s success.
However, the status of captain Shreyas Iyer and star all-rounder Andre Russell remains uncertain, creating buzz around the franchise’s strategic direction.
Andre Russell’s Future
The future of Andre Russell, who has been an integral part of KKR since 2014 and played a pivotal role in their two championship victories, is in jeopardy. According to reports, KKR is not inclined to retain Russell unless he agrees to a significantly lower salary than the ₹12 crore he was sold for in the last auction. Negotiations seem stalled, as KKR management contemplates whether they can convince Russell to stay on less favorable terms.
Shreyas Iyer’s Status
The situation with Shreyas Iyer is equally complex. While the franchise appears willing to retain him, they may not keep him as the top-choice captain. Reports suggest that Iyer is unhappy with this potential demotion. Additionally, both Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Supergiants have reportedly expressed interest in acquiring Iyer, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his retention.
Leave a comment