As the IPL 2025 retention deadline approaches, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are considering major changes to their team. With just one day left before the deadline, KKR is reportedly planning to release some of their highest-paid and key players from the previous season.
Players Likely to Be Retained:
KKR is expected to keep only a few players ahead of the auction next month. The players likely to be retained are:
- Sunil Narine (All-rounder)
- Rinku Singh (Batsman)
- Varun Chakravarthy (Bowler)
- Harshit Rana (Uncapped Fast Bowler)
There is also talk of retaining Ramandeep Singh, a promising lower middle-order batsman. If these retentions happen, KKR will have only one Right-to-Match (RTM) card available for a capped player during the auction.
Shreyas Iyer and Andre Russell Set for Auction
In a surprising move, KKR is unlikely to retain their captain Shreyas Iyer and star all-rounder Andre Russell. Reports suggest that Shreyas Iyer may leave the team due to salary disagreements. Andre Russell, despite his excellent performance with both bat and ball last season, might also not find a place in KKR’s retention list.
KKR might consider using the RTM card to bring back Russell during the auction. Additionally, Mitchell Starc, one of the highest-paid players in the IPL, may also be released. Starc was signed for Rs 24.75 crore in the IPL 2024 auction. Although he had a slow start during the league phase, he played crucial roles in the playoffs and the final. However, he is likely to explore other options in the upcoming auction.
Top Earners Released by KKR from IPL 2024:
| Player | Salary (INR) | Retention Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | Rs 24.75 crore | Released |
| Shreyas Iyer | Rs 12.25 crore | Released |
| Andre Russell | Rs 12 crore | Released |
| Venkatesh Iyer | Rs 8 crore | Released |
With these changes, KKR is set to release all of their top four earners from IPL 2024, except for Varun Chakravarthy, who was jointly the fourth-highest earner for the team.
Understanding the IPL Retention Rules:
The IPL has specific minimum deductions from each team’s auction purse for retained players:
- First Player: INR 18 crore
- Second Player: INR 14 crore
- Third Player: INR 11 crore
- Fourth Player: INR 18 crore
- Fifth Player: INR 14 crore
- Uncapped Player: INR 4 crore
Franchises have the flexibility to pay players more or less than these amounts, but these figures are the standard deductions applied to the team’s auction budget.
