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.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season concluded with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerging victorious, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in a lopsided final. As the three-year cycle of the tournament comes to an end, a mega-auction looms ahead of IPL 2025, bringing significant changes to the tournament's landscape.Teams will be permitted to retain only a limited number of players, with the majority of the squad going under the hammer. However, reports indicate that IPL owners are considering minor adjustments to the retention rules. KKR owner Venky Mysore has proposed an intriguing suggestion: eliminating retentions altogether and providing teams with eight Right To Match (RTM) cards. This would allow teams to retain players at market price.The last mega-auction, held before IPL 2022, saw teams allotted a purse of Rs 90 crore and allowed to retain a maximum of four players, with a maximum of three Indian players and two overseas players. Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu had previously suggested that IPL winners should receive additional retention spots, but his proposal did not gain widespread support.The upcoming mega-auction will present a unique opportunity for teams to reshape their rosters and acquire top talent. With the introduction of RTM cards, teams will have greater flexibility in retaining key players while also exploring new options in the auction. The changes to the retention rules are expected to add an element of excitement and unpredictability to the IPL 2025 season.

Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) management has expressed unwavering support for their star acquisition, Mitchell Starc, despite his underwhelming performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. KKR's managing director and CEO, Venky Mysore, emphasized that the team does not view Starc as an "investment" but rather as a valuable asset.Starc, who was purchased for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore, has struggled to make an impact in the shortest format. However, Mysore believes that Starc's presence alone adds a different dynamic to the team. He highlighted the specific skills that the support staff sought in Starc, which they believe he possesses.Despite conceding 100 runs without taking a wicket in his first two matches, Starc managed to salvage some pride by taking a crucial catch to seal a dramatic one-run victory for KKR. Mysore acknowledged that every player experiences ups and downs, and he remains confident in Starc's abilities.KKR's resurgence this season has been attributed to the return of former captain Gautam Gambhir as a mentor. Mysore praised Gambhir's intensity and experience, which have added significant weight to the team. He also commended the winning attitude of Gambhir and head coach Chandrakant Pandit, along with the support staff's contributions.With five wins from seven matches, KKR is currently placed second in the IPL standings. Mysore expressed satisfaction with the team's consistency and balance, while acknowledging that several factors have contributed to their success.