IPL 2025: 5 Capped and 1 uncapped player KKR might retain ahead of the mega-auction

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders have voted against the mega-auction ahead of the IPL 2025. However, BCCI is in no mood to scrap it, which might force the team management to narrow down on certain players and offer them a new contract for the next cycle. Notably, the Apex Council has yet to finalise the number of retentions for each franchise and whether or not they will bring back the Right to Match (RTM) cards. For Kolkata, the job is even tougher. Their mentor Gautam Gambhir has already left the squad to join the Indian team, as did batting and fielding coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, respectively. First, they need to fix their think tank and later, they have a tough job of letting the majority of their players from their winning squad leave for the mega-auction. Here are the five capped and 1 uncapped player KKR might retain ahead of the mega-auction: 6. Phil Salt Phil Salt. (Photo Source: X(Twitter) Another star performer that Kolkata Knight Riders could retain ahead of the IPL 2025 auction could be England opener Phil Salt. The 28-year-old was exceptional for the side in their title winning campaign in 2024, but had to leave the tournament midway due to commitments with the national side. In the 2024 season, Salt scored 435 runs in the 12 matches that he played, maintaining an average of 39.55. Also Check: 5 Capped and 1 uncapped player RCB might retain ahead of the IPL mega-auction 5. Sunil Narine Sunil Narine. (Source -IPL/BCCI) Sunil Narine would be the next name of the star all-rounder that KKR simply cannot afford to miss out on. Under Gautam Gambhir’s mentorship, Narine was moved up as KKR’s opener and went on to perform exceptionally well. Scoring 488 runs in 14 matches in the IPL 2024, Narine hit three half centuries and one ton, while also being a crucial contributor with the ball in the victorious campaign. 4. Angkrish Raghuvanshi Angkrish Raghuvansh. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) An uncapped star that Kolkata Knight Riders would be keen on retaining could be 20-year-old Angkrish Raghuvanshi. In the IPL 2024, Raghuvanshi got several chances, and scored 163 runs in limited opportunities, including a quickfire half century as well. His strike-rate was also superb, and the batter grabbed a lot of eyeballs with his aggressive strokeplay. 3. Andre Russell Andre Russell. (Source -IPL/BCCI) Kolkata aren’t parting ways with Andre Russell anytime soon. The West Indies international is a force to reckon with in the shortest format and was one of their biggest match-winners in 2024. Be it with the bat, or with the ball, Russell has proved his worth and for the same reason, KKR will back him, especially because the all-rounder is also part of all of their franchise teams across the world. In 2024, Russell smashed 222 runs in 15 matches at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 185. With the ball, he picked up 19 wickets, finishing as the fourth-leading wicket-taker. There were doubts regarding his fitness, as he wasn’t getting any younger, but the 36-year-old proved himself and showed that he is still the main guy in the Kolkata team. Among foreigners, there are other options in the form of Sunil Narine, Phil Salt and Mitchell Starc among others but the city of joy shares a very special relationship with ‘Muscle Russle’, as he is popularly known. He loves to play at Eden Gardens and understands the conditions well, which is another reason why KKR might announce him as their first retention. Also Check: 5 Capped and 1 uncapped player CSK might retain ahead of the IPL mega-auction 2. Rinku Singh Rinku Singh. (Source -IPL/BCCI) Even though Rinku Singh didn’t have a great season with the bat in 2024, KKR are expected to back the flamboyant batter. He was sensational in the 2023 edition of the tournament, which helped Rinku break into the national team. In 2024, he also received very few opportunities, which didn’t allow the cricketer to express himself. However, he remains one of the key batters for KKR and they are likely to retain him. Notably, Rinku batted in 11 matches and scored 168 runs at a strike rate of 148.67. Apart from being a key batter, the 26-year-old is also a terrific fielder. Recently, he has also started bowling and picked up two wickets against Sri Lanka in the third T20I. This would also interest KKR, as all-round skill holds high value in IPL. More than anything, Rinku shares a fantastic relationship with the franchise. When he was injured, KKR took care of him financially and brought him to their academy to develop his growth as a player. The franchise invested a lot in the player and understands well what he brings to the table. 1. Shreyas Iyer Shreyas Iyer. (Source -IPL/BCCI) Shreyas Iyer played a pivotal role in helping KKR win the IPL in 2024. His captaincy was on point the majority of the time, which helped the team immensely. The 29-year-old wasn’t afraid to take bold decisions, including that of handing the ball to Harshit Rana in the final over of the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens. Iyer also had a decent outing with the bat in 2024. He made 351 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 146.86. He is also a terrific fielder, and KKR won’t have it easy if they let him go to the mega-auction, especially with other franchises looking for a captain. The franchise spent INR 12.25 crore in the auction to sign the Mumbai-born cricketer in 2022 and might have spent extra to retain him for the next edition. However, the franchise is unlikely to hesitate as Iyer is an important part of the team and they might build their entire squad based on him. Also Check: 5 Capped and 1 uncapped player SRH might retain ahead of the IPL mega-auction

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IPL 2025: 5 Capped and 1 uncapped player KKR might retain ahead of the mega-auction

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4. Angkrish Raghuvanshi

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