"I will definitely want to see Rinku Singh" - Harbhajan Singh predicts KKR's retentions for IPL 2025
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh reckons that defending Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will find it very difficult when it comes to retaining and leaving out players ahead of IPL 2025. He went on to pick Shreyas Iyer, Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Rinku Singh as KKR's capped retentions for the 2025 season.
Kolkata Knight Riders had a tremendous IPL 2024 edition, which culminated with their lifting the T20 title for the third time. KKR thumped Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets in a one-sided final played at Chepauk in Chennai.
While discussing Kolkata's likely retention strategy for IPL 2025, Harbhajan admitted that the franchise will have to take a few tough calls. He told Star Sports (as quoted by news agency ANI):
"KKR dominated the entire season, so it will be difficult for them to leave or retain anyone. But it's a matter of retention, so you only have limited numbers that you can retain. If I want to see or if I have to choose my 6 players, which 6 players will be there for KKR? I think Shreyas Iyer will be there, Phil Salt will be there, Narine will be there, Andre Russell will be there, Rinku Singh will be there.
"I will definitely want to see Rinku Singh. He should be the 5th player to be retained," the 44-year-old went on to add.
Rinku did not have a great season as a finisher in IPL 2024. He scored 168 runs at an average of 18.67 and a strike rate of 148.67. However, he had a brilliant 2023 edition in which he clobbered 474 runs at an average of 59.25 and a strike rate of 149.53, with four half-centuries.
"It could be Ramandeep Singh" - Harbhajan on KKR's uncapped retention for IPL 2025
Sharing his views on KKR's uncapped retention for the IPL 2025 season, Harbhajan said that the franchise could think of retaining Ramandeep Singh. The former India spinner commented:
"And if we talk about one more player, who is the last player to be retained? It could be Ramandeep Singh. He is an uncapped player. I think he should be retained. He played very well last year and I have seen his performance in domestic cricket this year as well. So I think this 6th player, Knight Rider, will be retained."
Ramandeep played 14 matches for Kolkata in IPL 2024, scoring 125 runs at an average of 31.25 and a strike rate of 201.61.