KKR IPL 2024 Champions. (Photo Source: R.SATISH BABU/AFP via Getty Images)
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders have voted against the mega-auction ahead of the IPL 2025. However, BCCI is in no mood to scrap it, which might force the team management to narrow down on certain players and offer them a new contract for the next cycle. Notably, the Apex Council has yet to finalise the number of retentions for each franchise and whether or not they will bring back the Right to Match (RTM) cards.
For Kolkata, the job is even tougher. Their mentor Gautam Gambhir has already left the squad to join the Indian team, as did batting and fielding coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, respectively. First, they need to fix their think tank and later, they have a tough job of letting the majority of their players from their winning squad leave for the mega-auction.
However, there are players that the franchise will not leave at any cost. Who are they? Here are three players that KKR are likely to retain ahead of the 2025 mega-auction:
3. Andre Russell
Andre Russell. (Source -IPL/BCCI)
Kolkata aren’t parting ways with Andre Russell anytime soon. The West Indies international is a force to reckon with in the shortest format and was one of their biggest match-winners in 2024. Be it with the bat, or with the ball, Russell has proved his worth and for the same reason, KKR will back him, especially because the all-rounder is also part of all of their franchise teams across the world.
In 2024, Russell smashed 222 runs in 15 matches at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 185. With the ball, he picked up 19 wickets, finishing as the fourth-leading wicket-taker. There were doubts regarding his fitness, as he wasn’t getting any younger, but the 36-year-old proved himself and showed that he is still the main guy in the Kolkata team.
Among foreigners, there are other options in the form of Sunil Narine, Phil Salt and Mitchell Starc among others but the city of joy shares a very special relationship with ‘Muscle Russle’, as he is popularly known. He loves to play at Eden Gardens and understands the conditions well, which is another reason why KKR might announce him as their first retention.
2. Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh. (Source -IPL/BCCI)
Even though Rinku Singh didn’t have a great season with the bat in 2024, KKR are expected to back the flamboyant batter. He was sensational in the 2023 edition of the tournament, which helped Rinku break into the national team. In 2024, he also received very few opportunities, which didn’t allow the cricketer to express himself. However, he remains one of the key batters for KKR and they are likely to retain him.
Notably, Rinku batted in 11 matches and scored 168 runs at a strike rate of 148.67. Apart from being a key batter, the 26-year-old is also a terrific fielder. Recently, he has also started bowling and picked up two wickets against Sri Lanka in the third T20I. This would also interest KKR, as all-round skill holds high value in IPL.
More than anything, Rinku shares a fantastic relationship with the franchise. When he was injured, KKR took care of him financially and brought him to their academy to develop his growth as a player. The franchise invested a lot in the player and understands well what he brings to the table.
1. Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer. (Source -IPL/BCCI)
Shreyas Iyer played a pivotal role in helping KKR win the IPL in 2024. His captaincy was on point the majority of the time, which helped the team immensely. The 29-year-old wasn’t afraid to take bold decisions, including that of handing the ball to Harshit Rana in the final over of the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens.
Iyer also had a decent outing with the bat in 2024. He made 351 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 146.86. He is also a terrific fielder, and KKR won’t have it easy if they let him go to the mega-auction, especially with other franchises looking for a captain.
The franchise spent INR 12.25 crore in the auction to sign the Mumbai-born cricketer in 2022 and might have spent extra to retain him for the next edition. However, the franchise is unlikely to hesitate as Iyer is an important part of the team and they might build their entire squad based on him.
