The IPL 2024 Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) recently finalized their player retention list for IPL 2025, following the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) updated retention rules. According to the policy, teams could retain a maximum of six players including the RTM Cards. 

Reportedly, KKR had initially expressed interest in retaining most of their core players but faced challenges aligning with these guidelines.

The first retention slot was set at INR 18 crore, followed by INR 14 crore and INR 11 crore for the second and third slots. The fourth and fifth retention slots were capped at INR 18 and 14 Crore crore along with INR 4 crore for an uncapped player. These terms required careful consideration, as the franchise had to assess each player’s willingness and their potential auction interest.

Kolkata Knight Riders omit skipper Shreyas Iyer in IPL 2025retention list

One major retention decision involved captain Shreyas Iyer, around whom there was considerable uncertainty. Reports indicated that Iyer had received interest from two other franchises, which prompted him to choose to enter the auction. Despite efforts from KKR management to retain him, the team ultimately accepted his departure.  

Another shocking exclusion included Mitchell Starc who became the most expensive player in the history of IPL 2024. KKR acquired Starc for his duties at a huge price of INR 24.75 Crores, and have now released him ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. 

In the finalized retention list, all-rounder Andre Russell secured the fourth slot for INR 12 crore, while Rinku Singh was retained for the top slot fot INR 13 crore, a show of confidence in the attacking batter’s skills. 

Star Caribbean spinner Sunil Narine was also retained for INR 12 crore alongside the Indian bowler Varun Chakravarthy. For the uncapped spots, KKR retained promising talents Harshit Rana and Ramandeep Singh, for INR 4 crore each.

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The new retention lineup reflects KKR’s strategy to maintain experienced players like Russell and Narine while fostering budding talents. With a revamped squad heading into IPL 2025, KKR will aim to defend their title and build a strong squad for in the mega auction for a successful season ahead. 

PLAYERS RETAINED by Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2025: 

1. Rinku Singh (Rs 13 cr)

2. Andre Russell  (Rs 12 cr)

3. Sunil Narine  (Rs 12 cr)

4. Varun Chakravarthy (Rs. 12 cr) 

5. Harshit Rana (Rs. 4 cr, uncapped) 

6. Ramandeep Singh (Rs. 4 cr, uncapped) 

RTM Available – 0 

IPL 2025 mega auction remaining purse value: INR – 51 Crores 

PLAYERS RELEASED by Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2025: 

Nitish Rana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shreyas Iyer (c), Jason Roy, Suyash Sharma, Anukul Roy, Venkatesh Iyer, Vaibhav Arora,, KS Bharat, Chetan Sakariya, Mitchell Starc, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sherfane Rutherford, Manish Pandey, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Gus Atkinson, Sakib Hussain. 

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