IPL 2025: 3 Players KKR Can Buy As Captain To Replace Shreyas Iyer

Iyer was released by KKR [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.Com] Iyer was released by KKR [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.Com]

The IPL retentions are over and now the teams can focus on building a strong squad ahead of the next season. The mega auction is approaching thick and fast and it allows all the ten sides to pick players best suited for their style of play.

The teams have retained the players of their choice and now all eyes will be on the mega auction as it can either make or break the season for many sides. Today's focus is on the Kolkata Knight Riders, who let their skipper Shreyas Iyer leave the team. As per reports, Iyer demanded more money from the franchise and as a result, the defending champions let him go into the auction pool.

Hence, we look at 3 players KKR can buy to replace Iyer as their new skipper ahead of the next season.

3) Aiden Markram

Aiden Markram was released by the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Proteas batter can be a good choice for the captaincy. He has the experience of leading in the IPL and interestingly his team in the SA20, Sunrisers Eastern Cape have won back-to-back titles under his leadership.

Most importantly, he won't be an expensive buy and can fill the void in the middle-order as well. For those who don't know, Markram also led South Africa Under-19 side to a World title, which makes him a serial winner, something which KKR desperately need.

2) Rishabh Pant

Perhaps the biggest surprise was that Delhi Capitals didn't retain their star and captain, Rishabh Pant. Pant has certainly been their best player over the years and it is fair to say that he will fetch a lot of money in the upcoming auction.

One such team which can target Pant is the Knight Riders. With Iyer gone, they need a solid replacement and who better than Pant?. He has the experience of leading an IPL side and KKR have a history of spending big on talented players, as they did with Mitchell Starc last season.

Pant will also give them keeping option, something which the franchise needs at the moment.

1) Jos Buttler

Rajasthan made quite a few baffling choices in the retention list and one of them was releasing Jos Buttler. The Englishman has been one of the most successful players in the IPL history and should have been retained.

However, this could turn out to be KKR's blessing as they can poach the English skipper to lead their side. A T20 World Cup winning captain, Buttler can play a similar keeping/captaining role like Pant and can be a great option if KKR are looking for an aggressive captain to lead their side.