Kolkata Knight Riders don’t have any more Right To Match (RTMs) left heading into the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. KKR and RR are the only two teams who are devoid of this option after having retained 6 players on IPL 2025 Retention Day. However, any team devoid of RTMs will have their unique set of challenges which would be quite difficult to overcome.
One of the biggest challenges that KKR will face in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction is when they try to re-buy their former stars. KKR has already tried its best to retain the core setup of players. But they couldn’t agree on a deal with skipper Shreyas Iyer. It was reported that Iyer demanded a sum of 30 crores which KKR was unwilling to pay.
What KKR need to do in IPL 2025 Mega Auction?
With multiple teams having a huge budget in the auction, some of the most sought stars will be sold for big bucks. And with a budget of 51 Crores remaining, KKR will have to be extremely strategic in their buts. This also effectively means that the Kolkata outfits won’t be able to buy players who are overpriced.
After retaining 6 players, KKR has no RTMs remaining, but they will surely target the likes of Ventakesh Iyer and Mitchell Starc. The only way KKR can buy their previous players is if they go on and rebuy their players again. While it is understood, that Starc won’t fetch 24.75 crores like he did last season, the ace Aussie pacer won’t come in very cheap as well.
Furthermore, the other teams too will be eyeing the released KKR players and will be eager to buy them to build a strengthened team. In such a scenario, KKR will have to play it extremely cleverly. They need to constantly engage in bidding wars to increase the price of a player before pulling out at the very last moment. In such a strategic move, KKR will be able to level the playing field in terms of budget and net purse remaining.
