The defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), have several star players in their squad, making player releases a difficult decision. Since Gautam Gambhir left the team to join India’s management, it will be intriguing to see what strategies KKR adopts for the IPL 2025 auction. Key questions revolve around which players they will retain and which new players they will pursue to strengthen their lineup. Additionally, in this series, we will explore three English players KKR could target to enhance their squad in the upcoming season.
3 England players KKR might target in IPL 2025 mega auction
Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes has returned to England’s side for the second Test against Pakistan. He could potentially enter the IPL auction after missing IPL 2024. With Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) not planning to retain Mitchell Starc due to his high bid price, they might target Stokes for the next season. His performance in the second Test against Pakistan will be crucial to assess his fitness level.
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Brydon Carse
The right-arm pacer could be an excellent pick for KKR in the IPL 2025, given his ability to generate pace and trouble batters with his aggressive style of play. KKR is in need of a strong pace attack, and this young English pacer, who is relatively unknown to many batters, could be a valuable addition. His lack of exposure at the international level could make him a surprise weapon for KKR.
Phil Salt
KKR would likely want to extend Phil Salt’s services for the IPL 2025, but they are unlikely to retain him due to other priority players. However, the franchise is expected to use the Right to Match (RTM) card during the IPL 2025 auction to bring him back, considering his exceptional performance in the previous season.