With the deadline for the submission of retained players approaching, a recent development suggested that Shreyas Iyer and Kolkata Knight Riders are unlikely to reunite for the upcoming IPL 2025.
Shreyas Iyer-led Kolkata Knight Riders their IPL title win in the 2024 edition, is keen to head to the auction rather than get retained by the management. This comes after the IPL governing council made minor changes in retention rules which stated that a franchise can retain a maximum 6 retention with 5 capped and 2 uncapped players.
This rule change, coupled with the Right to Match (RTM) has seen a rise in cricketers willing to enter the auction rather than get retained by the franchise.
According to reports, KKR is set to pick all-rounder Andre Russell as their first retention, which meant captain Iyer’s future with the franchise was already uncertain.
The selectors have several players who they want to retain such as Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy being their most favoured contenders.
Shreyas Iyer was bought for INR 12.25 crores at the 2022 mega auction and played two seasons for KKR as he missed the 2023 edition due to injury. His leadership skills might fetch a higher price in the auction as franchises like RCB and Punjab Kings are currently searching for a leader.
Iyer’s future with KKR looks uncertain and the team will be looking to have change in three key members of their coaching staff, including Gautam Gambhir, after the triumph in the previous edition.
With the IPL 2025 mega auction expected to be held on November 24 and 25, BCCI had some apprehension about the dates as the IND vs AUS 1st Test will clash with the IPL mega auction.
All the franchises wanted the two-day auction to be held in India, but it was not an option. Now the BCCI is on the verge of finalizing the venue and date for the IPL mega auction so that they can make travel arrangements.
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