‘He was number one on our list’ - KKR CEO Venky Mysore opens up Shreyas Iyer’s exit

Kolkata Knight Riders failed to agree terms with captain Shreyas Iyer, leading to his departure ahead of IPL 2025. He joined the franchise for INR 12.25 crore in 2022 and was made the captain. It was under his leadership that KKR won their third IPL title in 2024. Since then, both parties held several meetings about a possible extension in the contract but Iyer was not convinced.

Speaking on parting ways with Shreyas, KKR CEO Venky Mysore stated that the Mumbai-born was their first choice for retention but they could not agree on a deal. He explained that every player had the freedom to go into the auction with the hope of earning more money and understanding their market value and that might have played a huge part in KKR losing Shreyas’ services.

Also Read - IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders Retained Players, Released Players and Purse Remaining ahead of Mega Auction

“It’s a matter of mutually agreeing. It’s not a one-sided right that a franchise has. The players have to consider various factors and agree. Somewhere along the line, that agreement doesn’t happen because of various factors - money or someone wants to taste their value or whatever it is. He was number one on our list. He was the captain, so have to build everything around the leadership,” Mysore told RevSportz.

He also reminded that when Shreyas was signed in 2022, he was immediately appointed as captain and despite missing the 2023 season with a back injury, he was handed the baton in 2024. Mysore added that Shreyas was an integral part of the franchise but he understood that he wanted to have a shot at maximising his earning by going into the auction.

Also Read - Venky Mysore explains retention strategy

“We picked him specifically in 2022 for that and unfortunately, he was injured in 2023. The moment he came back, he got his captaincy back. We made it very clear that it’s yours when you come back. So, he has been a very integral part and has done a terrific job. I enjoy personal rapport with him but at the end of the day, people had to make their own decisions and decide what’s best for them and the direction that they want to go and the commercial value as well. He is a very important aspect of it,” Mysore added.