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IPL 2025: 1 Uncapped And 5 Capped Players; KKR's Retention Strategy Ahead Of Mega Auction

KKR after winning IPL 2024 [Source: @KKRiders/x.com]KKR after winning IPL 2024 [Source: @KKRiders/x.com]

The Kolkata Knight Riders were crowned champions of the IPL 2024 for the third time in the league's history. They will be looking to maintain their momentum and establish their dominance with strong performances in the upcoming seasons. 

The Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking to form a dynamic yet balanced squad to continue their legacy. KKR has been one of those teams that has mostly tried to keep its core together over the years. Considering the new retention rules, here is how the think tank might strategise ahead of the mega auction. 

5 Capped Retentions for KKR in IPL 2025

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer [Source: @AvengerReturns/x.com]Shreyas Iyer [Source: @AvengerReturns/x.com]

The Indian middle-order batter was at the helm when the franchise won its third IPL title. With Gautam Gambhir taking up the role of India's Head Coach, the management will be eager to keep Shreyas Iyer as part of a successful administrative team. Iyer impressed as a skipper during the tournament, and KKR hopes that he will groom the new arrivals according to the team culture. His batting is also crucial for the team to have a steady and stable middle-order.

Sunil Narine

The West Indian all-rounder was crucial to the successful IPL 2024 campaign. The genius move of using Sunil Narine as an opener added greater layers to his performance and impact as a player. KKR valued him as one of the core members of the team, and it is expected that he will be one of their retentions ahead of IPL 2024.

Andre Russell

Andre Russell [Source: @KkrKaravan/x.com]Andre Russell [Source: @KkrKaravan/x.com]

The Jamaican all-rounder has been one of the biggest match-winners in KKR's history. Andre Russell has the uncanny knack for changing the complexion of a game with his powerful batting at any stage. Besides his big-hitting abilities, Andre Russell can also be pretty effective with the ball in nearly all phases of a game. Given his all-round utility and how he has been valued over the years, Russell will be one of the retentions for KKR. 

Rinku Singh

IPL 2023 saw the emergence of Rinku Singh, the match-winner for KKR. Since then, Singh has progressed significantly and become an important part of the Indian T20 set-up. Even before he gave returns for the investment made on him, KKR nurtured the young talent brilliantly. They cared for him and gradually gave him exposure to the highest stage. Having groomed and mentored Rinku thus far, KKR will look to make the most of him when he matures as a cricketer. 

Varun Chakravarthy

KKR has always taken great care of and nurtured the spinners well. Varun Chakrvarthy has been one such bowler for KKR who has given his best to the franchise. So far, he has served them well and is a key part of their plans and strategies. The KKR management will be looking to retain Chakrvarthy at all costs for IPL 2025.  

Uncapped Retention of KKR for IPL 2025

Harshit Rana/Angkrish Raghuvanshi

Harshit Rana emerged as the lead bowler for KKR in IPL 2024 and impressed everyone with his wicket-taking abilities at all stages of a game. His performances earned him an India call-up, and he is part of the Bangladesh T20I series. If Rana does not get a chance in the playing XI during the series, then he will be retained as an uncapped player. However, if he does, KKR will release him and look to re-buy him during the auction.

If Rana becomes a capped player, KKR might look to retain Angkrish Raghuvanshi as their uncapped player. The young batter impressed everyone with his composure and technique in the previous edition of the tournament. KKR will try to capitalise on the potential and promise the young Indian batter has shown.