Before the mega-auction, KKR may decide to retain three players

Ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League, the reigning champions, the KKR, have voted against the mega-auction. The team management may be forced to focus on a few players and extend contracts to them for the upcoming cycle if BCCI decides against doing away with it. Remarkably, the Apex Council has not yet decided on the allocation of retentions to each franchise and if the Right to Match (RTM) cards will be reinstated.

The task is significantly more difficult for Kolkata. Along with batting coach Abhishek Nayar and fielding coach Ryan ten Doeschate, their coach Gautam Gambhir has already departed the team to join the Indian team. They have two difficult tasks ahead of them: first, they must repair their think tank; and second, they must permit most of the players from their winning team to depart for the mega-auction.

On the other hand, the team will stop at nothing to keep certain players. What do they look like? Three players are listed below that KKR is probably going to hold onto before the 2025 mega-auction:

1. Shreyas Iyer

In order for KKR to win the IPL in 2024, Shreyas Iyer was essential. The team benefited greatly from his captaincy, which was on point most of the time. In the last over of the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens, the 29-year-old didn’t hesitate to make a risky move, such as giving the ball to Harshit Rana.

In 2024, Iyer had a respectable performance at bat as well. At a strike average of 146.86, he amassed 351 runs in 15 games. He is also an excellent fielder, and KKR may face difficulties if they allow him to enter the mega-auction, particularly since other teams are also trying to find a captain.

In 2022, the Mumbai-born cricket player was signed by the franchise for INR 12.25 crore in an auction; it is possible that they paid more to keep him around for the following season. Iyer is a valuable member of the club, and the organisation may decide to construct their entire roster around him, so they won’t likely hesitate.

2. Rinku Singh

KKR is anticipated to support the flashy batsman Rinku Singh, despite his lacklustre 2024 season. His performance in the 2023 competition was outstanding, and it aided Rinku’s transition to the national squad. The cricket player was also denied many opportunities in 2024, which hindered his ability to express himself. He is still a vital hitter for the KKR, though, and they probably will keep him.

Remarkably, Rinku batted in 11 games with a 148.67 strike rate, scoring 168 runs. The 26-year-old is not just a vital batter but an excellent fielder as well. He recently took up bowling as well, taking two wickets in the third Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka. KKR would also be interested in this because in the IPL, all-around skill is highly valued.

Rinku has an amazing bond with the franchise more than anything else. After he was hurt, KKR looked after his financial needs and sent him to their academy to advance his player development. The team put a lot of money into the player and is aware of his strengths.

3. Andre Russell

Kolkata has no intention of letting go of Andre Russell any time soon. One of the West Indies’ best match-winners in 2024, the international is a force to be reckoned with in the shortest format. Because Russell has demonstrated his value both with the bat and the ball, KKR will support him. This is especially true given that the all-around player is a member of every franchise team in the league.

Russell scored 222 runs at an incredible strike rate of 185 in 15 games in 2024. He ended up taking the fourth most wickets with the ball, having taken 19 of them. Though he wasn’t getting any younger, there were questions about his fitness, but the 36-year-old proved himself and continued to be the team’s leader.

Also Read: Reports: BCCI will hold mega-auction before IPL 2025, in opposition from SRH and KKR

While Sunil Narine, Phil Salt, and Mitchell Starc are among the other possibilities available to foreigners, the city of joy has a unique bond with “Muscle Russle,” as he is affectionately known. He may be announced as KKR’s first retention because he enjoys playing at Eden Gardens and is familiar with the pitch.