IPL 2025: KKR CEO reveals why they didn't retain 'No. 1 choice' Shreyas Iyer

KKR have released captain Shreyas Iyer ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.

As mandated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), all 10 Indian Premier League (IPL) teams submitted their retention list on October 31.

In their strategy before the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) decided to preserve their core, choosing to retain six key players: Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh.

What surprised everyone, however, was the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer from KKR’s retention list. Iyer led KKR in the franchise’s remarkable title-winning campaign earlier this year. Under Iyer’s leadership, KKR finished the league stage at the number one spot with nine wins out of 14 games and then thumped Sunrisers Hyderabad in the playoffs twice to clinch the title.

Shreyas also played a vital role with the bat, acting as a glue in the explosive KKR batting lineup. Iyer finished the 2024 season with 351 runs at a strike rate of 146.86.

Iyer’s release, despite his success with KKR, has fueled speculation about his future as he enters the IPL 2025 mega auction.

KKR CEO Venky Mysore has now opened up about the franchise’s decision, shedding light on the discussions that ultimately led to Iyer’s departure.

KKR CEO reveals the reason behind Shreyas Iyer’s release:

Venky Mysore clarified that while Iyer was their priority for retention, it was ultimately the player’s choice to explore other options in the auction.

“He was No. 1 on our list (for retention). He’s captain, and we had planned to build around his leadership,” Mysore told RevSportz.

Mysore emphasized that retaining a player is a two-way agreement rather than a franchise’s only decision.

“What is fundamental to a retention is that it’s a matter of mutual agreement. The franchise doesn’t hold a one-sided right—the player has to consider various factors and agree,” he explained.

The KKR CEO added that he respects Iyer choice to test his market value.

“In this case, he felt it was best to go to the auction, and we’re always supportive of players when it comes to valuing their commercial potential,” Mysore concluded.

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