Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be aiming to retain their core group for IPL 2025. The well-oiled unit functioned exceptionally well in the previous season under the leadership for Shreyas Iyer, going on to capture their third IPL title in an emphatic fashion. There remains no mystery over who would be KKR’s sure-shot retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auctions and Shreyas Iyer, Andre Russell and Rinku Singh are no-brainer choices for the franchise.
KKR retention list for IPL 2025
- Retention 1 (Rs 18 crore) – Shreyas Iyer
- Retention 2 Rs (14 crore) – Rinku Singh
- Retention 3 (Rs 11 crore) – Andre Russell
- Retention 4: (Rs 18 crore) – Sunil Narine
- Retention 5: (Rs 4 crore) (uncapped) -Harshit Rana
Rs 18 crore – Shreyas Iyer and Sunil Narine
KKR will be looking to build their squad with Shreyas Iyer leading the franchise in the upcoming seasons. In his very first season for the franchise, he amassed 401 runs in IPL 2022 before missing the the next season entirely. He made his comeback in 2024, scoring 351 runs in what was a victorious campaign for the franchise. He is certain to be the number one pick for KKR at Rs 18 crore.
Joining Iyer in the Rs 18 crore category is all-rounder Sunil Narine. The West Indies star’s contribution with both bat and ball has benifited KKR greatly over the last few years. Ever since making his debut in 2012, Narine has made waves – with special emphasis on his success as the side’s opener. With 1534 runs and 180 wickets, Narine is easily KKR’s number 4 retention at Rs 18 cr.
Mitchell Starc not to be retained
However, the highest buy in IPL history so far – Mitchell Starc (bought for Rs 24.15 crore) – is not expected to be retained by KKR. The Australian pacer saw teams involved in a fierce bidding war in the mini-auction before IPL 2024. He managed to bag 17 wickets in IPL 2024, not exacty justifying his heavy price tag via his performances.
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Finishers ft. Rinku Singh and Andre Russell
Explosive finisher Rinku Singh is expected to be KKR’s third retention at Rs 14 crore. A promising talent that was unearther by the Knight Riders, the sight of the batter finishing matches for the side, especially the five back-to-back sixes off Yash Daya, lives rent free in the minds of fans. Singh has 893 runs from 45 matches that he has played for KKR so far.
The next retention on the list for KKR is Andre Russell. The West Indies all-rounder is expected to be retained by the franchise for Rs 11 crore, given that he is not just an integral part of the franchise over the years but is also a part of the side’s CPL team as well. With 2484 runs and 115 wickets to his name since making his debut in 2012, Russell has been KKR’s most-valuable player over the years.
Uncapped Harshit Rana another sure retention
Pacer Harshit Rana is all set to be retaine as an uncapped star for Rs 4 crore by KKR. The IPL team was handed a blessing in disguise after his much-awaited India debut has been delayed, allowing the IPL side to retain him for a lesser price since he is uncapped. The young pacer had a breakout season in 2024, bagging 19 out of the 25 wickets that he has taken in his IPL career. His ability to bowl a variety of deliveries at different speeds makes him one of the best pacers that KKR would surely want to have in their XI.
RTM route for Varun Chakravarthy, Venkatesh Iyer
Varun Chakravarthy and Venkatesh Iyer have been consistent for the three-time champions, leaving the side with a hard choice of how to retain them for IPL 2025 without spending big bucks. KKR will want the Tamil Nadu spinner’s mystery spin component along with the Madhya Pradesh batter’s ability to go big with the bat in the fresh season.
KKR’s current squad
Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, Suyash Sharma, Anukul Roy, Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, KS Bharat, Chetan Sakariya, Mitchell Starc, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ramandeep Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Manish Pandey, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Dushmantha Chameera, Sakib Hussain.
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