Cricket

KKR CEO Reveals Reasons Behind Shreyas Iyer's Non-RetentionFollowing Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) dominant IPL 2024 title win under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, the franchise's decision to not retain him ahead of the mega auction raised eyebrows. KKR CEO Venky Mysore has now shed light on the thought process behind this move.Mysore emphasized that Iyer was KKR's top retention priority, but the decision ultimately rested with the player. He hinted that Iyer's desire to test his market value in the auction played a role in his non-retention."He was No. 1 on our list (for retention). He's captain and we have to build everything around the leadership. We picked him for this specific reason in 2022," Mysore said.Mysore clarified that the retention process requires mutual agreement between the franchise and the player. In Iyer's case, this agreement could not be reached."What is fundamental to a retention is that it's a matter of mutually agreeing. It's not a one-sided right that the franchise has, the player has to consider various factors and agree," Mysore explained."Somewhere along the line, if that agreement doesn't happen because of factors like money or someone wants to test their value, then the decision is influenced," he added.Mysore expressed his support for Iyer's decision to explore his commercial value in the auction. He acknowledged that players have the right to prioritize their financial interests."In this case, it so happened that he felt it was best, and we're always supportive of the players when it comes to going to the auction and testing their value," Mysore said.With several teams in need of captains, including Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Iyer is expected to be a highly sought-after player in the IPL 2025 mega auction.

The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) player auction promises to be a record-breaking event, with a plethora of star players up for grabs. Among the most sought-after names are Rishabh Pant, K L Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami.Pant, in particular, is expected to be the cynosure of all eyes. The Delhi Capitals' former captain is available for auction after a fallout with the franchise's co-owners, GMR. Pant's unhappiness stemmed from his perceived lack of authority and the appointment of Hemang Badani as head coach and Y Venugopal Rao as Team Director.Iyer, the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders' former captain, is also in the auction pool. He felt that his Rs 12.25 crore salary was inadequate for an IPL-winning captain. Rahul, on the other hand, parted ways with Lucknow Super Giants due to differences in approach towards T20 cricket.The auction will be intriguing due to the Rs 75 crore retention cap on international players and the Right To Match cards. Teams that have exhausted their retention quotas will need to recruit at least 15 more players for a lesser sum.Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with their substantial purse amounts, are expected to make significant bids. Pant is likely to emerge as the highest-paid player in the IPL if Punjab Kings, known for their extravagant spending, decide to acquire him."Rishabh's real bidding will start from Rs 20 crore onwards," said a top franchise official. "There will be three teams who can afford to bid big for him: Punjab Kings, RCB, and LSG."Industry insiders predict that Pant could fetch between Rs 25 crore to Rs 30 crore.

IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Indian Superstars Hit the Market, MI Retains CoreAs the IPL gears up for its mega auction on November 24-25, three Indian superstars have become available for bidding after not being retained by their previous franchises. Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul will join the auction pool, adding intrigue to the proceedings.Pant, who spent nine years with the Delhi Capitals, and Iyer, the title-winning captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, are both highly sought-after leaders. Multiple teams, including DC, Punjab Kings, RCB, and LSG, are reportedly interested in Iyer's services.Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians have retained their core Indian players, including captain Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rohit Sharma. Pandya will continue to lead the team despite their disappointing performance in 2024.The Delhi Capitals have retained Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and South African batter Tristan Stubbs. If they fail to acquire Iyer in the auction, Axar may be considered for the captaincy role.The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have retained Nicholas Pooran as their top pick, while the Chennai Super Kings have retained MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shivam Dube.The Sunrisers Hyderabad have broken the bank to retain Heinrich Klaasen for a whopping Rs 23 crore. They have also retained captain Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Nitish Reddy.The Rajasthan Royals have opted not to retain Jos Buttler, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravichandran Ashwin. They have instead retained Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Shimron Hetmyer.The Gujarat Titans have retained Rashid Khan as their premium player, while Shubman Gill has taken a pay cut to stay with the team.The Royal Challengers Bangalore have retained Virat Kohli for Rs 21 crore but have released Faf du Plessis and Mohammed Siraj.The Punjab Kings have let go of Arshdeep Singh and will enter the auction with a substantial purse of Rs 110.5 crore.

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, all 10 IPL teams are gearing up to announce their retained and released players. Franchises are permitted to retain up to six players, including at least one uncapped Indian player. Rumors have circulated that prominent names like KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant may enter the auction pool, prompting franchises to consider lucrative contracts to secure their services.Five Players Likely to be Retained for Rs 20 Crore:1. Virat Kohli:The former India captain has been a loyal member of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since the inaugural IPL season in 2008. As the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer, Kohli could make history by being retained for Rs 20 crore. RCB may reward his loyalty with an improved deal, surpassing his previous retention amount of Rs 18 crore in 2018.2. Rishabh Pant:Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant has hinted at leaving his team and entering the auction through a social media post. Pant has been with DC (formerly Delhi Daredevils) since his debut in 2016. To prevent him from entering the auction, DC may retain him for a record sum of Rs 20 crore.3. Shreyas Iyer:Despite losing his BCCI central contract earlier this year, IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer remains a highly sought-after player. After leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the IPL title last year, Iyer's retention should be a priority. With several teams seeking a new captain, KKR could offer Rs 20 crore to retain his services.4. Hardik Pandya:After acquiring him last season in a mega trade deal, Mumbai Indians (MI) are likely to retain their captain Hardik Pandya ahead of the mega auction. However, they may offer him an improved contract worth Rs 20 crore.5. Rohit Sharma:Rohit Sharma's future with MI has been the subject of speculation, with reports suggesting he may leave the franchise. However, a recent report claims that MI is set to retain Rohit, despite stripping him of captaincy duties last season. They may offer him Rs 20 crore to prevent him from entering the auction.

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.

Mumbai's Ranji Trophy campaign has suffered a major setback as star batsman Shreyas Iyer is likely to miss the upcoming match against Tripura due to a shoulder injury. The injury comes as a blow to Iyer's comeback aspirations after a lengthy absence from the game due to a back injury.Iyer, who scored a century in Mumbai's last Ranji match against Maharashtra, had expressed concerns about his body's ability to withstand the rigors of consecutive matches. He emphasized the need to prioritize his physical well-being, stating, "I have to listen to my body because I know the amount of threshold I've carried over the last few years."The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) confirmed that Iyer did not travel with the team to Agartala for the Tripura match. The injury is the latest in a series of setbacks for Iyer, who underwent back surgery in London in 2022.Despite his recent return to form, Iyer has lost his place in the Indian team in both Test and T20 formats. He had hoped to earn a national comeback with strong performances in domestic cricket, but the shoulder injury has put those plans on hold.Iyer admitted that he had been fearful of his back injury flaring up again, but assured that he had trained extensively to improve his fitness. He also acknowledged that he had been perceived as shirking the longer format, but emphasized that he had addressed that issue by playing seven consecutive first-class matches.The 29-year-old stressed the importance of managing his body wisely, stating, "I have to be smart in terms of what decisions I make. I need to see to it that my body is in the best shape possible."Iyer's absence will be a significant loss for Mumbai, who are looking to build on their impressive start to the Ranji Trophy season. The team will now have to rely on other batsmen to step up and fill the void left by their star player.