It’s rather shocking that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) didn’t approach their captain, Shreyas Iyer, about his future with the franchise, i.e., the IPL 2025 retentions. The deadline for announcing your list is October 31, and if reports are to be believed, as of October 25, KKR hadn’t initiated a conversation with the man who led them to their first IPL title in a decade.
KKR’s questionable tactic
This was despite several other franchises asking Shreyas about his potential interest in joining them for the IPL 2025 season. But, from what can be gathered, KKR just waited and watched from afar while all this was happening. It wasn’t until October 27, just four before the deadline ends, that the franchise talked with Shreyas about his forthcoming future.
“As of last Friday, the two parties hadn’t spoken. There was a lot of word going around on Shreyas Iyer and KKR, but the two never sat across the table to have any discussion with regards to the plans for the future or the IPL retentions. The first conversation happened on Sunday,” a source told the Times of India.
Shreyas Iyer approached by at least 3 franchises
With KKR lingering about Shreyas’ future, it is to be believed that three franchises approached the star batter. It’s safe to assume they offered him assurance that they’d bid for him if he were to enter the IPL 2025 mega auction. It is believed that Shreyas received such a hefty offer that he started contemplating refusing to be retained even if KKR expressed the desire to name him their top pick.
“Iyer won a title last season, has been a proven leader when he successfully led the Delhi Capitals. He has been a hot property in the league, and it’s no surprise there were approaches from multiple franchises the moment KKR chose to take a backseat. If he goes into the auction pool, there will be at least three franchises who would be looking to get him. Indian middle-order bat, proven leader. Who would want to miss that combination? Not many,” an industry source told the Times of India.
