The franchises are geared up for the mega auction ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025. With the new retention rules set by the BCCI, the franchises can now retain six players ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. In case the franchises don’t retain any of their players, they can use six right-to-match (RTM) cards instead during the auction, which allow them to bring their best players back to the squad for the same price at which any other franchise makes a final bid.
With six retentions available ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, the franchises can bring their back to their squad who have been a crucial part of the team over the years with their consistent performances. The franchises have been given a deadline of October 31, to send their player retention list. Here’s the possible retentions for the franchises ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction.
KKR possible retentions for IPL 2025 mega auction
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be going as the defending champions in IPL 2025. The Kolkata-based franchise dominated throughout the season in IPL 2024, and went on to lift their third IPL title under captaincy of Shreyas Iyer. KKR will not be looking to make many changes in their strong squad, but they can retain only six players ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction. Let’s have a look at the list of six probable retentions for KKR ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction.
Shreyas Iyer
Skipper Shreyas Iyer could be among the first players to get retained by KKR ahead of mega auction. After missing out on IPL 2023 due to injury, he made a comeback in IPL 2024 and led KKR to their third title after 12 years. Iyer also had a decent season with the bat scoring 351 runs from 15 matches at a strike rate of 146.86. He could be retained by KKR at a whopping ₹18 crore.
Sunil Narine
All-rounder Sunil Narine played a crucial role for KKR to lift the IPL title in 2024. The franchise might not let him go ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, and keep him in their list of six retentions. Narine took 17 wickets with the ball, and scored 488 runs with the bat in 15 matches in IPL 2024. KKR could retain him in a price bracket of ₹14 crore.
Andre Russell
Andre Russell has been one of main players for KKR over the years, who is known for his fierce batting especially during death overs. He only scored 222 runs from 15 matches, but had a strike rate of 185. Russell could be retained by KKR for ₹14 crore.
Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh can see a huge hike in his IPL salary as KKR could retain him in a price bracket of ₹11 crore. The left-hander has been a strength of KKR’s middle order in the last few years. In this period, Rinku also made his debut for India, and has scored 418 runs from 24 T20I in his career so far.
Harshit Rana
Fast bowler Harshit Rana could be another players in KKR’s scheme of things for IPL 2025. The right-arm pacer had a great season with the ball in IPL 2024, taking 19 wickets from 13 matches. KKR could retain him as an uncapped player at a salary of ₹4 crore if he doesn’t make his India debut against Bangladesh in the ongoing three-match T20I series.
Venkatesh Iyer
KKR can go for Venkatesh Iyer as their sixth retention for IPL 2025. However, the franchise might not retain him ahead of the mega auction, and could take him back in the squad by using a right-to-match card in the auction.