The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) saw off Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024 final to secure their third title. It hasn’t been so good for the Shahrukh Khan co-owned franchise for some time. However, there seems to be trouble looming for KKR with the mega auction scheduled later this year. KKR will have to let many key players go from their title-winning lineup.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will soon finalize their decisions concerning rules to apply for IPL 2025. BCCI officials will likely announce a date for the mega auction
KKR’s co-owners are heavily against any resolution to see major players leave their squad; however, the auction date looms. The wishes of KKR’s owners alone won’t influence what the BCCI decides. KKR releasing players they need is almost inevitable at this point. Let’s see three (3) key players the current IPL holders will need to release at auction ahead of IPL 2025.
Nitish Rana
Necessity spurred Nitish Rana to lead KKR at IPL 2023, and he is one of the franchise’s key players right now. He had to take up the team’s captaincy two seasons ago when skipper Shreyas Iyer bowed out due to injury. However, his strong performance as skipper and other great attributes may no longer be enough for the franchise owners.
Rana has spent 7 seasons in the Kolkata-based franchise, and could seek another challenge next season. The talented cricketer will likely not fit into the squad next season, with KKR boasting several local players in many departments. He is a former skipper and senior team member; it will be difficult to let him go, but not impossible.
Rana’s consistent performances has seen him bag 2,199 runs across 86 innings for the franchise. It will be quite hard for KKR to release him, but there is a high chance he will be bought back at auction if they need his services.
Mitchell Starc
KKR won the IPL 2024, but fans were left unimpressed with Mitchell Starc’s performance across several games last season. Starc joined KKR for ₹ 24.7 crore at auction, but he failed to earn his price tag throughout the league season. However, the Australian pacer came to life during KKR’s knockout games to help his teammates seal the title.
Starc’s inconsistent performances during the league phase and his high price tag will likely force KKR to let him go. The franchise will be keen to retain other players and may need to release Starc before IPL 2025.
Starc may also be left out of IPL 2025 action entirely due to international commitments. Australia is on schedule to hold a 5-match Test series vs England that could see Starc miss out on the next IPL. KKR will no doubt let him off the hook before next season if it is confirmed he won’t be available for T20 franchise cricket.
Phil Salt
Salt ensured KKR had another taste of IPL glory last season with his lethal performances with teammate Sunil Narine.
Many IPL franchises are closely monitoring Phil’s progress after the cricketer delivered a title-winning performance for KKR last season. No other top-order batting combination matched their performance last season to deliver KKR the title.
Salt took part in a dozen games, smashing home 430+ runs at a lethal 182 strike rate. His deadly batting prowess and other qualities, particularly in the powerplay, will attract other franchises to Salt’s talent.
KKR may fancy retaining the cricketer next season, but strict retention policies should see him out the door. India’s cricket governing body will likely not allow franchises retain more than 2 overseas cricketers before next season.
Salt may be a top talent, but other overseas players in the team will receive attention ahead of him during retention. Such a scenario could see Salt exit KKR to another IPL franchise for IPL 2025.
Who are the 3 Key Players KKR will Retain Ahead of IPL 2025?
KKR will do everything to keep some of their star players during the IPL 2025 auction. Stars like Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Andre Russell will be high up the list of players KKR will retain ahead of IPL 2025.
Why is the KKR IPL 2025 Auction Stance Different from Other Franchises?
KKR hopes to maintain their squad from IPL 2024 to next season. A mega auction scheduled to happen before IPL 2025 makes such plans almost impossible.
Other franchises have their eyes on top players within KKR’s structure as each team hopes to build solid squads before IPL 2025. KKR’s owners would prefer a mini-auction where chances of losing many top players are slim.
