Cricket

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore has revealed the challenges faced in selecting the team's six retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. After winning the previous season, KKR had to make tough decisions, ultimately retaining Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh.Mysore emphasized the difficulty in narrowing down the list, stating that "trying to trim that down to six was very challenging." He highlighted the long-standing relationships with players like Narine and Russell, as well as the contributions of Chakaravarthy and Rinku.The CEO also discussed the process of communicating with players who were not retained. He emphasized transparency and understanding, acknowledging that "leaving out some of the players is never easy." Mysore noted that retention is a mutual agreement and that players may choose to explore other options.Regarding the upcoming mega auction, Mysore acknowledged the unique challenges KKR faces with a purse of INR 51 crore and no Right-To-Match (RTM) cards. He emphasized the need for a well-thought-out strategy and expressed confidence in the team's think tank.Mysore also highlighted the involvement of the support staff, particularly after the departure of Gautam Gambhir, Abhishek Nayar, and Ryan ten Doeschate. He praised the contributions of DJ Bravo, Chandrakant Pandit, Bharathi Arun, Carl Crowe, and Nathan Leamon in the decision-making process.

Shreyas Iyer's Future with Kolkata Knight Riders Uncertain Amidst Retention TalksAhead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retentions, the future of Shreyas Iyer with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) remains uncertain. Despite leading KKR to the IPL 2024 title, media reports suggest a lack of communication between the player and the franchise.According to Times of India, KKR has finally initiated talks with Iyer but is not considering him as their top retention pick. Sources close to the developments express surprise at this decision, given Iyer's proven leadership abilities and success with Delhi Capitals.Multiple franchises have reportedly approached Iyer for a leadership role, indicating his high demand in the league. Sources believe that if he enters the auction pool, several teams will be eager to acquire his services.Meanwhile, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has suggested five possible retentions for KKR: Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Phil Salt, and Sunil Narine. He believes these players form the core of the team's success in the previous season.However, the final decision on retentions rests with the KKR management. It remains to be seen whether they will prioritize Iyer's leadership qualities or opt for a different strategy. The IPL 2025 retentions will provide clarity on the future of Shreyas Iyer and the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are set to undergo a significant roster overhaul ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise is unlikely to retain their title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer and star all-rounder Andre Russell.Instead, KKR is expected to retain four players: Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, and uncapped fast bowler Harshit Rana. Mitchell Starc, who was acquired for a record INR 24.75 crore in the IPL 2024 auction, is also unlikely to be retained.The possibility exists that KKR may retain a second uncapped player in Ramandeep Singh, an explosive lower-middle order batter. However, this would leave them with only one right-to-match option at the auction, which could limit their ability to reacquire Iyer, Russell, or Starc.The deadline for franchises to submit their list of retained players is October 31. Teams are allowed to retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped internationals and two uncapped players. While the IPL has set minimum deductions from the auction purse for each retained player, franchises are free to pay more or less than those amounts.KKR's decision to release Iyer and Russell marks a significant shift in their strategy. Iyer led the team to the IPL title in 2024, while Russell has been a key contributor since joining the franchise in 2014.Among the players retained, Narine, Rinku, and Varun have all played vital roles for KKR in recent seasons. Narine, the Most Valuable Player in 2024, provides explosiveness at the top of the order and is a wicket-taking threat. Varun has been the team's most successful bowler in the last two seasons, while Rinku has emerged as a promising young batter.Rana is a rising fast bowler who is part of India's Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. Ramandeep's performances in the IPL and domestic cricket earned him a spot in India's squad for the recent Emerging Players Asia Cup.

With the IPL 2025 mega auction retention deadline approaching on October 31, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are facing a dilemma regarding the retention of their title-winning captain, Shreyas Iyer. Sources have revealed that Iyer's retention status is uncertain, with other players emerging as strong contenders for retention.Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, the West Indies duo, have been instrumental in KKR's success as all-rounders. Narine's spin bowling and Russell's power-hitting have been crucial for the team. Middle-order batter Rinku Singh, who has been with KKR since 2018, has proven to be a valuable find as a finisher.Wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been a key figure in KKR's spin attack, picking up 21 wickets in IPL 2024 with an impressive economy rate of 8.04. His performances have earned him a recall to the Indian team for the T20Is against Bangladesh and South Africa.Uncapped fast-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana has also impressed in recent seasons, picking up 19 wickets in IPL 2024. His recent call-up to the Indian team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series further enhances his value.While Iyer led KKR to their third IPL title in 2024, scoring 351 runs in 14 innings, his retention status is in doubt. If he enters the mega auction pool, franchises in need of a captain will have the opportunity to acquire his services.KKR's retention dilemma stems from the abundance of talent within their squad. Apart from the six players mentioned above, they also have Mitchell Starc, Phil Salt, Venkatesh Iyer, and Ramandeep Singh, who has been called up to the Indian team for the T20Is against South Africa.Under IPL retention rules, each team can retain a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped players. KKR will have to make tough decisions to finalize their retention list, balancing the need for experience and potential.

With the IPL 2025 auction fast approaching, the retention lists of all 10 franchises are set to be finalized. Amidst the speculation surrounding the availability of big names like KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, another IPL-winning captain may be entering the auction pool: Shreyas Iyer.According to ESPN Cricinfo, it is an open secret that Kolkata Knight Riders' skipper Iyer is considering a move after receiving a lucrative offer from a rival franchise. The deadline for submitting retention lists is October 31st, ahead of the mega auction expected to take place in the last week of November.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to announce the official date and venue for the auction. However, two contradictory reports have emerged. Times of India suggests the auction will be held in Dubai on November 30th, while Sportstar claims it will be a two-day event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 24th and 25th.Riyadh is reportedly the frontrunner due to its favorable time zone. The BCCI and IPL officials are finalizing the venue that can accommodate the large entourage of franchise delegations, Jio, and Disney Star representatives over three days.Iyer's potential availability in the auction pool would create a significant buzz. The 28-year-old led the Kolkata Knight Riders to their second IPL title in 2021 and has established himself as one of the most consistent batters in the league. His departure from KKR would open up a leadership vacancy and spark intense competition among franchises seeking a proven captain.The IPL 2025 auction promises to be a thrilling event, with several big names potentially up for grabs. Iyer's availability would add another layer of intrigue and could significantly impact the dynamics of the league.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), reigning champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), face a challenging situation ahead of the upcoming season. The departure of Gautam Gambhir, Abhishek Nayar, and Ryan ten Doeschate to the Indian cricket team has left significant voids in the KKR dugout.While Dwayne Bravo has been appointed as mentor, the team still needs to fill the assistant coach and academy head positions. Additionally, the captaincy role remains uncertain.Shreyas Iyer, acquired by KKR for Rs 12.25 crore at the 2022 auction, is a potential candidate for the captaincy. However, the franchise is reportedly willing to retain him but not as their top retention.Andre Russell is the frontrunner for retention with a hefty price tag. The all-rounder was previously retained for Rs 12 crore and is likely to receive a substantial raise.If Iyer is not satisfied with his role in KKR, he could explore other options. Several teams, including Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals, are in need of a captain, particularly an Indian one.Punjab Kings, with Ricky Ponting as head coach, may be interested in Iyer due to his successful partnership with Ponting at Delhi Capitals. Delhi Capitals could also consider Iyer, as Rishabh Pant has requested to step down as skipper.Last year, a section of the KKR camp favored Nitish Rana as captain in Iyer's absence. However, the franchise announced Iyer as captain before the tournament, raising eyebrows.KKR, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, advocates for a smaller auction and more Right to Match (RTM) options. They are likely to utilize this strategy at the upcoming auction.Other potential retention options for KKR include Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Mitchell Starc, and Varun Chakravarthy. The team's captaincy decision will be closely monitored by other franchises.

Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has heaped praise on India coach Gautam Gambhir, describing him as a brilliant strategist who prioritizes the team's needs and seeks to gain an edge through tactical adjustments. Starc's admiration stems from his experience working with Gambhir as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year.Under Gambhir's guidance, KKR enjoyed a dominant season, culminating in their first IPL title in a decade. Starc was impressed by Gambhir's ability to analyze opponents and devise strategies to exploit their weaknesses. "He's always thinking about the opponent and how to get them out as a bowling attack or how to score runs as a batting attack," Starc said.Gambhir's focus extends beyond individual players, emphasizing the importance of team cohesion and identifying subtle adjustments that can provide an advantage. "It's not just individual players, it's always about the team focus and how to get on top of little things that he might see in techniques or in a field placement or anything like that," Starc added.KKR acquired Starc for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore, making him the most expensive buy in IPL history. Despite a modest league stage performance, Starc proved his worth with match-winning spells in the knockout rounds. "The nine weeks that I spent with him were fantastic. In a T20 setup, I know that he's got some good things," Starc said.However, the two will find themselves on opposite sides when Australia hosts India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting in Perth next month. Starc acknowledged that Gambhir's tactical acumen will pose a significant challenge for the Australian team.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have received a significant boost ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction with the potential retention of uncapped fast bowler Harshit Rana at a cost-effective price of Rs 4 crore.Rana, despite his impressive domestic performances and contributions to KKR's title-winning campaign in 2023, remains uncapped due to a viral infection that prevented him from making his international debut in the third T20I against Bangladesh.This unfortunate circumstance has worked in KKR's favor, as they can now retain Rana at a significantly lower cost than if he had made his international debut. The uncapped player retention rule allows teams to secure the services of uncapped players for a maximum of Rs 4 crore.Rana's impressive domestic record and his contributions to KKR's success make him a valuable asset for the team. In the 2023 IPL season, he claimed 19 wickets in 13 matches, playing a crucial role in KKR's run to their third title.KKR's decision to retain Rana at this price could be a strategic move, allowing them to invest more in other key areas of the squad while keeping a promising young player on their roster.Rana's international debut may still be on the horizon, as he has been named as one of the traveling reserves for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand at home. However, with pace sensation Mayank Yadav and experienced seamer Prasidh Krishna also among the reserves, Rana's chances of making his debut in the Test series appear slim.

Nitish Rana, a seasoned left-handed batter, has been a mainstay in the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batting lineup for the past seven years. However, with the IPL 2025 auction approaching, his chances of being retained by KKR seem uncertain.Rana has expressed his desire to continue with KKR, highlighting his consistent run-scoring record. "I have been serving KKR for the past seven years. It's not in my hands if I will be retained; it's up to KKR management to decide. I haven't received any calls yet. I have scored runs for KKR every year and if they consider me an asset, they will retain me," he said.Meanwhile, India's rising pace sensation Mayank Yadav is set to join the IPL's "Million Dollar Club" after making his T20I debut against Bangladesh. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will need to retain his services for a minimum of Rs 11 crore (USD 1.31 million).Similarly, Sunrisers Hyderabad will also need to pay a minimum of Rs 11 crore to retain all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy after his international debut in the same match.According to IPL retention rules, any uncapped player who makes their international debut before the auctions will be elevated to the capped player category. This means that the retention prices for capped players are significantly higher.While the deadline for announcing the retention list is October 31, it is widely expected that LSG will retain Mayank as one of its three primary retentions. The 22-year-old pacer has impressed with his raw pace and potential."There is no way that LSG will put a rare bowler like Mayank back in the auction pool. They have invested in him for the past two seasons and he will certainly be one among the top three retentions," said an IPL insider.