Given the wealth of alternatives available to teams like KKR and MI, there has been much debate on which players franchises like them would keep when the IPL 2025 retention rules are released and the BCCI announces the deadline for finalising retentions.
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed his opinions on how KKR should proceed with their retentions, highlighting the importance of keeping captain Shreyas Iyer. Kaif also shared his thoughts on the tactic that KKR might use when utilising the Right To Match card mode.
You are unable to proceed as you did with Morgan. After leading the team to the championship, he was let go, and KKR struggled for the following two to three seasons. Iyer should be taken first and allowed to continue as captain. Consider Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Phil Salt after that. They’ll need to hold onto these three or four players. “We need to send two players to the auction and bring them back,” Kaif said during a conversation with Star Sports.
He should be first if he can oversee so many players and take home the trophy: Mohammad Kaif
Kaif provided additional justification for his belief that Iyer ought to be the first player kept. In his opinion, the team ought to be willing to ignore his subpar batting performance and place greater emphasis on his leadership abilities.
“You want the key players to stay with the team once they win and emerge victorious. They would therefore like to hold onto as many players as possible, apply RTM to a select handful, and purchase fewer individuals in the auction. In terms of his batting, Iyer might not be all that good.
However, it is important for him to lead the team to victory in his capacity as captain. He is becoming better as a captain, in my opinion. “He should be the first (to be retained) if he can lead so many players and bring home the trophy,” Kaif continued.
Also Read: KKR should retain Shreyas Iyer, Shah Rukh Khan is unlikely to let him go. Aakash Chopra
During IPL 2024, Iyer played in 14 innings, however he only managed 351 runs. Despite finishing a staggering 26th on the season’s list of top run scorers, he played a crucial role in KKR’s victory as they won their third championship—their first in ten years.
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