Reports: KKR to retain the services of top T20 bowler

With a new decade of IPL starting from 2018, the 11th season promises to be bigger than ever. With a 20% hike in the salary cap, big changes in the dynamics of many teams are expected. Each franchise will be allowed to retain up to a maximum of five players (combination of player retention and right-to-match).

With the auctions for IPL 11 just around the corner, teams have started making strategies to finalize their players they would want to retain before the bidding process begins. The final list needs to be submitted by January 4 as the auction is slated to be held on January 27 & 28.

According to earlier reports on Sportstar, two-time IPL winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) may part with skipper Gautam Gambhir. However, in a recent development, it has been known that the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise might retain the services of all-rounder Sunil Narine, who was one of their best players in 2017.

If KKR decides to retain Narine, it would sense good as the Windies star has played T20 cricket all over the world for different franchises. In the last few years, he has improved his batting by notches and has become an explosive player. Last season, he scored 224 runs and 10 wickets, which is a brilliant return for an all-rounder. If KKR decide to retain only one player, they will have to shell out 12.5 crores

Gambhir is willing to play for other teams in IPL 11

It was only recently, where Gambhir revealed that he has not talked to his team management about retention and the left-hander is willing to play for other teams in IPL 2018. Gambhir has been one of the most successful players in the IPL let alone the KKR side, with 4132 runs under his belt. He is the fourth highest all-time run scorer in IPL history.