Explained: Why KKR have been deducted 69 crores despite spending 57 crores to retain 6 players for IPL 2025

KKR won their third IPL title last season, but have let go of their captain Shreyas Iyer.

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) retained six players – the maximum that a franchise was allowed – ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. This means that they will not have any Right To Match card option available for the auction.

KKR wanted to retain the maximum of their title-winning squad members as possible. They retained Rinku Singh (INR 13 crores), Varun Chakravarthy (INR 12 crores), Sunil Narine (INR 12 crores), Andre Russell (INR 12 crores), Harshit Rana (INR 4 crores), Ramandeep Singh (INR 4 crores).

However, in a shocking move, they have let go of the man who led them to their third IPL title, Shreyas Iyer.

In another interesting talking point, KKR have been deducted INR 69 crores from their purse of INR 120 crores even though their combined retention of six players cost them INR 57 crores. This means they have INR 12 crores surplus – but that cannot be used in the auction; they can use this INR 12 crores for other purposes in the franchise but not on buying players in the auction.

Fans have been left a bit confused as to why INR 69 crores has been deducted from their purse even though they have spent INR 57 crores on their six retained players.

We will explain this below.

Why KKR have been deducted 69 crores despite spending 57 crores to retain 6 players for IPL 2025?

This is because the IPL had placed a minimum limit on each retention spot. For retaining four capped players, the price slabs are INR 18 crores, INR 14 crores, INR 11 crores, and INR 18 crores. So even though KKR retained their four capped players for a combined INR 49 crores, they would lose INR 61 crores from their purse.

Their two uncapped players have been retained for INR 4 crores each, which is the same as the price set by the BCCI for uncapped players.

In layman’s terms, as per BCCI’s rules, for retaining four capped players, a franchise would lose a minimum of INR 61 crores even if they have retained players for a lower value. Had the combined retention price gone beyond INR 61 crores, then it would have further been deducted from the purse.

So, KKR retained their six players for INR 57 crores (13+12+12+12+4+4) but still, they would lose INR 69 crores (18+14+11+18+4+4) from their purse.

How will this impact KKR in the IPL 2025 mega auction?

KKR will go into the mega auction with INR 51 crores in their purse. Since they have retained six players, they don’t have any RTM option to utilise.

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