"Even being an IPL winning captain cannot guarantee a retention" - Fans react as KKR release Shreyas Iyer ahead of IPL 2025 auction
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released their title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. Iyer, who led KKR to IPL 2024 triumph, was missing from their list of retentions announced on Thursday, October 31.
Kolkata retained a total of six players, with left-handed Indian batter Rinku Singh being their first-choice pick at ₹13 crore. KKR's veteran all-rounders Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy were retained at ₹12 crore each.
Pacer Harshit Rana and all-rounder Ramandeep Singh were their remaining two picks. The two uncapped players were retained at ₹4 crore each.
Iyer's absence from the list raised a lot of eyebrows, given that he enjoyed an imperious run as captain in the 2024 edition.
Following the announcement, several fans took to social media to react to KKR not retaining Shreyas Iyer. Here are some of the top reactions:
While some fans seemed unhappy with KKR's decision, a few suggested that Iyer is bound to be one of the most expensive players at the IPL 2025 auction.
"Feel sorry for Shreyas Iyer but I am sure he will bounce back with a different franchise. Even being an IPL winning captain cannot guarantee a retention…questionable choice by KKR." wrote a fan.
"Shreyas Iyer will fetch the biggest amount." commented another.
"GREAT AUCTION LOADING FOR SHREYAS IYER BATSMAN + CAPTAIN 20+ CR EASILY LOADING....PBKS/RCB/DC/LSG TOP CONTENDERS." chimed in yet another.
Shreyas Iyer was signed by KKR for ₹12.25 crore ahead of IPL 2022. He captained the team to their third IPL title, clinching the coveted trophy in 2024. He scored 351 runs across 14 innings in the edition, finishing with an average of 39 and a strike rate of 146.86.
KKR are in search of a new captain after parting ways with Shreyas Iyer ahead of IPL 2025 mega-auction
The Kolkata-based team are currently in the hunt for a new captain after releasing Shreyas Iyer prior to the IPL 2025 mega auction. It remains to be seen if they target someone like Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul at the auction or back a youngster like Rinku Singh for the leadership position.
The three-time champions shelled out a total of ₹57 crore to retain six players. They will enter the auction with a remaining purse of ₹63 crore. It is worth mentioning that they have retained the maximum number of players allowed as per the rules, leaving them with no Right-to-Match (RTM) slots.
Apart from Iyer's exit, KKR's think tank has seen a major overhaul. With mentor Gautam Gambhir and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar now part of Team India's coaching staff, they have roped in former West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo as their new mentor.