IPL 2025: KKR is making crucial decisions pertaining to the retention of players since the mega-auction of IPL 2025 is knocking at the door. Notably, the franchise will not retain the title-winning captain of their side Shreyas Iyer, and the star all-rounder Andre Russell. Let’s see a detailed analysis of KKR’s retention policy and the retained players who will be a part of the side.

Probable Retained Players

KKR will be retaining four players, out of which are Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, and uncapped fast bowler Harshit Rana. These are the players the team has had on their side over the last few seasons. They have become an important part of the side and are invaluable to the franchise.

Sunil Narine: A Mainstay

There couldn’t be more importance attached to Narine for KKR since he joined the franchise. These all-around skills, where explosive batting capability meets up with effective bowling services, make him a retention. He proved invaluable in IPL 2024 by contributing significantly in both departments batting and bowling.

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Rinku Singh: Rising Star

An interesting find of KKR’s in 2021 who had earned a call for India T20I following impressive performances. Possesses a marvelous strike rate of more than 100 since 2022.

Varun Chakravarthy: Ace Legspinner

He is one of the best KKR bowlers. Within the last two seasons, Chakravarthy is leading the franchise with maximum wickets. Consistent performances and strategic bowling made him a crucial element in the KKR bowling arsenal.

Harshit Rana: The Emerging Fast Bowler

Harshit Rana is an emerging talent who looks promising on the fast-bowling front. In recent updates, he was named within India’s Test squad set to tour Australia, retention of which will add another dimension to KKR’s present and future with the addition of pace options.

Retention To Be Added: Ramandeep Singh

Another player KKR could retain in the uncapped slot is Ramandeep Singh who is a big-hitting batsman coming lower-middle order. KKR can retain one capped player’s right-to-match at the auction, which may help bring back Iyer or perhaps Russell or even Mitchell Starc.

Not-likely Retentions: Shreyas Iyer And Andre Russell

It is a massive shift in the lineup as the management of the franchise decided to cut loose Shreyas Iyer and Andre Russell from the KKR. Though Iyer led KKR to win their first-ever IPL since 2014, he was the priciest pick at the recently concluded 2022 auction, for the KKR outfit. But Russell has a long connection with KKR and, in the capacity of this franchise, the player, who is otherwise a consistent match-winner with the bat and bowl, lost his place last season too.

He scored 351 runs in the 2024 season at a strike rate close to 147, which largely contributed to KKR’s title win. That is going to make him big money at the auctions if his leadership skills and match-winning ability are any guides.

Value Of Andre Russell

Russell’s destructive batting skills make him one of the most wanted men for other franchises to grab at the auction because of the kind of knocks he gave them for 19 wickets as well as in the playoffs.

Financial Implication Of Retentions

The actual figures of probable retained players for KKR are not known, but the franchise will have to bear heavy deductions from their auction purse. Retaining four players including one uncapped will cost at least INR 47 crore, and retaining five players including two uncapped may lead to a deduction of INR 51 crore.

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