3 players KKR should retain ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction Ft. Rinku

KKR won their third IPL title earlier this year under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer.

After achieving glory in the 2012 and 2014 seasons under Gautam Gambhir, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title this year, under skipper Shreyas Iyer. The Knight Riders showed terrific consistency throughout the season.

Can they defend their title in the 18th edition when they will be without Gambhir, their mentor of last season who has left the franchise to take the head coach role of the Indian men’s team?

Firstly, they will have to decide their retentions. The IPL 2025 will be preceded by a mega auction, for which a franchise can retain a maximum of six players.

KKR have a number of Indian and overseas stars whom they would want to retain. So, it will be a big headache for the reigning champions to finalize their retentions ahead of the mega auction. Here, we will talk discuss the top three possible retentions for the Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise ahead of the mega auction.

3 players KKR should retain ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction

1. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer has been through both ups and downs in the last year. He was part of the Mumbai squad that won the Ranji Trophy 2024, but was later sacked from BCCI’s central contract list for not playing some Ranji Trophy matches when asked to. However, he kept that setback behind him and marched Kolkata to the IPL trophy. Amid this, he lost his place in India’s test side as well.

While his India career has suffered a blip this year, it is unlikely to affect his progress in the IPL as KKR could retain him in the highest bracketed slab before the mega auction. Last season, he did well as a batsman and was even more impressive as a captain while marshaling a star-studded team.

2. Andre Russell

Andre Russell is unarguably KKR’s biggest match-winner and asset – an all-rounder capable of changing the momentum of the game within a space of a few deliveries, with both bat and ball.

The West Indies all-rounder joined the franchise in 2014 and has become a core player of the team. He is among the most impactful players in the IPL.

The skillset Russell brings to the table is rare. He has scored over 2400 runs and taken 113 wickets for KKR. There is no question of his retention.

3. Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh is one of the players who has a long-term association with KKR, having joined the franchise in 2018. KKR have backed the talented left-hander from Uttar Pradesh and have purchased him back in the IPL 2022 mega auction.

He has played 46 matches for KKR and scored 893 runs at an average of 30.79 and a strike rate of 143.33. After a stunning IPL 2023 season, he made his T20I debut for India and now is being groomed as a finisher for the national side.

KKR are expected to retain him ahead of the mega auction.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.