The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have announced their player retention and release list for the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The defending champions have made some bold decisions, notably not retaining captain Shreyas Iyer, who led them to victory earlier this year. This strategic shake-up aims to prepare the team for another title pursuit in 2025. In this article, we provide a complete rundown of KKR’s retained players, released players, and possible auction strategies ahead of the mega auction.
KKR’s Key Retained Players for IPL 2025
The Kolkata Knight Riders have retained a select few players, focusing on key performers who contributed significantly to the team’s recent success. Here are the retained players:
- Sunil Narine – A seasoned all-rounder and T20 veteran, Narine’s bowling and batting skills have been indispensable for KKR over the years. His ability to change the game with his spin bowling continues to make him an asset.
- Rinku Singh – Emerging as a consistent batsman, Rinku’s powerful middle-order performances have earned him a spot among the retentions.
- Varun Chakravarthy – The mystery spinner, a crucial part of KKR’s bowling lineup, has proven his worth in multiple seasons and remains a reliable wicket-taker.
- Harshit Rana – This young talent adds pace to KKR’s bowling attack, making him a valuable asset for the franchise.
Major Releases: Shreyas Iyer, Andre Russell, and Mitchell Starc
In a surprising move, KKR did not retain Shreyas Iyer, who led the team as captain in 2024. Iyer, initially appointed in 2022 after his transfer from the Delhi Capitals, captained the team in both 2022 and 2024. His exclusion from the retentions list leaves speculation that KKR may not use the Right To Match (RTM) card to reacquire him during the auction, especially as other teams reportedly show interest in offering him captaincy roles.
KKR has also opted to release experienced players, including:
- Andre Russell – A key all-rounder and an IPL star with KKR since 2014, Russell’s departure marks the end of an era. Known for his explosive hitting and power-packed performances, his exit is a substantial change for the franchise.
- Mitchell Starc – The Australian pacer, acquired for a record Rs 24.75 crore in the previous season, will also be available in the auction pool. KKR may exercise an RTM option for him depending on auction dynamics.
Budget and Auction Strategy for KKR
By retaining four players, KKR has allocated approximately Rs 47 crore from their Rs 120 crore retention purse. This calculated approach leaves them with considerable funds to strategize for the auction, allowing the franchise to target high-value players to bolster their squad.
The remaining purse details will be revealed closer to the auction, providing a clearer view of KKR’s budget. The team’s selective retention approach suggests that they may be planning to add fresh faces to the lineup to fill gaps created by the departure of seasoned players like Russell and Starc.
Retained Players in Previous IPL Auctions
Looking back, Narine and Chakravarthy were both retained during the 2022 mega auction, showcasing KKR’s long-term commitment to their core players. In that auction, Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer were also retained, with Russell in the highest pay bracket of Rs 12 crore, while Venkatesh was valued at Rs 8 crore. With the franchise prioritizing these players in the past, it’s clear that KKR values continuity in building a competitive team.
Other IPL Teams’ Retention Moves
Several other franchises are also making notable retention decisions. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), for instance, are expected to retain five players, including MS Dhoni as an uncapped player. This strategic retention could help CSK save on their budget for other acquisitions, given Dhoni’s immense value to the team as both captain and mentor. Despite their limited funds, CSK aims to retain key players like Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, and Shivam Dube.
Meanwhile, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have slightly restructured their retention contracts. Nicholas Pooran, the marquee retention, will reportedly receive INR 21 crore, with Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank Yadav getting INR 11 crore each. Uncapped players Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan receive INR 4 crore each.
Right To Match (RTM) Strategy and Auction Rules
The RTM card remains an essential tool for IPL franchises in retaining players. For KKR, using the RTM on players like Shreyas Iyer or Andre Russell will allow them a chance to reacquire their former players at competitive prices during the auction.
Under the revised RTM rules, the franchise with the highest bid will have an option to place a final offer before the original team can use its RTM to claim the player. For example, if Ravichandran Ashwin receives a high bid from Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Rajasthan Royals (Ashwin’s original team) can use their RTM, but only after RCB has an opportunity to raise the bid one last time. This adjustment aims to ensure fair market value during the auction while allowing franchises the flexibility to secure their preferred players.
Anticipation Builds Ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction
The IPL player retention and release announcements have set the stage for an exciting 2025 auction. All franchises have until October 31, 2024, to finalize and submit their player retention lists, with any player capped by this date considered as such for retention purposes.
Key Takeaways for IPL 2025
The 2025 season is set to bring new challenges and opportunities for all franchises. For KKR, retaining core players like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy demonstrates a focus on experience and dependability, while the release of long-standing players like Andre Russell indicates a fresh approach. With a significant auction budget, KKR is well-placed to make strategic buys that can strengthen their squad.
The Kolkata Knight Riders and other franchises are expected to make final adjustments as the auction approaches, leaving fans eager to see how each team shapes up for IPL 2025.
