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Shreyas Iyer KKR exit
In a surprising twist, Shreyas Iyer, who recently led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to an IPL championship, won’t be on KKR’s retention list for the upcoming 2025 season (Shreyas Iyer KKR exit). Just months after he brought KKR their dream trophy, Iyer’s request for a steep retention fee reportedly caused a stalemate, with KKR ultimately deciding to release him. He now joins other prominent players like Faf du Plessis, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul in the IPL 2025 mega auction pool.
CEO Venky Mysore on Iyer’s Retention
KKR CEO Venky Mysore offered insight into the challenging decision, making it clear that Iyer was their top choice to retain. “Shreyas was our ‘No. 1 pick’ since he joined in 2022, and he’s played a big role in our success. His leadership, skill, and commitment to the team were exceptional,” Mysore explained. But retention, as Mysore emphasized, isn’t as simple as choosing favorites—it comes down to finances and the auction marketplace. Mysore described the IPL auction as the true determiner of a player’s market value, as it allows franchises to evaluate worth based on their strategies and budgets.
The Money Factor
Iyer’s current value became a topic of negotiation, and Mysore didn’t shy away from discussing it. “We respect players wanting to determine their worth, but the auction is the best place for it,” he said. With Iyer previously bought at Rs 12.25 crore in the IPL 2022 mega auction, his continued success with KKR might have led to increased expectations. However, injuries and recent form have introduced new factors affecting his valuation.
In the IPL 2024 season, Iyer’s form was mixed. While his overall stats for KKR boast 752 runs at an impressive strike rate of 140.04, his recurring injuries have created some uncertainty. His absence from the BCCI central contract and the national squad in recent months has further impacted his standing, making it a tough decision for KKR to meet his fee expectations.
KKR’s Retention Strategy for IPL 2025
With Iyer’s exit, KKR has opted to retain core players and strategic talents to build a balanced team. Here’s the final retention list:
- Rinku Singh – Rs 13 crore
- Varun Chakravarthy – Rs 12 crore
- Sunil Narine – Rs 12 crore
- Andre Russell – Rs 12 crore
- Harshit Rana – Rs 4 crore (uncapped)
- Ramandeep Singh – Rs 4 crore (uncapped)
What Lies Ahead for Shreyas Iyer?
Shreyas Iyer now heads to the IPL 2025 mega auction, where his true market value will be tested as all ten franchises prepare to bid for top talent. Fans and analysts alike are keen to see how the auction plays out for Iyer and if he will land a lucrative contract elsewhere.
