IPL 2025: KKR Targeted XI, Budget Allocation And Mega Auction Plan - All You Need To Know

KKR Targeted XI For IPL 2025 (Source: @lucknowIPL/@KKRWeRule/X)

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have kept as many as six players in their squad before going into the IPL 2025 mega auction on November 24. Even though their spin department and lower middle order have been sorted, they still have a lot of area to cover. More importantly, they need a skipper, as Shreyas Iyer, their title-winning captain, is no longer at the helm.

After winning the title, Every team want to keep its successful core intact in the following season, and KKR would love to do the same if they could get an opportunity to execute it. Can they pull it off? Well, we shall know real soon.

KKR Retained Player List For IPL 2025

Slots To Filled In Auction - 19
Purse Left - INR 51 Cr

Targeted Opener For KKR In IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Salt was superb in IPL 2024 (Source: @KKRKaFan/X)

Phil Salt - Base Price INR 2 Crore
Estimated Selling Price - INR 8-10 Crore

After coming as a replacement for Jason Roy in IPL 2024, Salt had been spectacular as a KKR opener throughout the season. His incredible numbers -- 435 runs across 12 innings at a strike rate of 182.01 -- speak volumes, and it is no wonder he will be in high demand during the bidding war.

Having got INR 51 crore in their kitty, KKR have to be very smart about acquisitions. Hence, they can afford to go a maximum of INR 10 crore for Salt, as signing him would allow them to keep their destructive opening duo -- Salt and Narine -- in the coming season as well.

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In case KKR don't get Salt, don't be surprised if they turn their interest in Devon Conway, of course within a similar budget.

Targeted Middle Order Batter For KKR In IPL 2025 Mega Auction

KL Rahul could be targeted by KKR in IPL 2025 auction (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X)

KL Rahul - Base Price 2 Crore
Estimated Price - INR 16-18 Crore

KKR has a habit of spending big on regulars and using the rest on the bench. Bringing in KL Rahul could be a move they have been brewing. Rahul's profile is very similar to Shreyas Iyer's, and given his recent numbers in IPL and injury concerns, his price might have gone a bit low.

In fact, even if they have to go as much as INR 18 crore, KKR might go all out for him. He can be Shreyas Iyer's potential successor and could be used as their No. 3 as well. In addition, if Narine's move to the top does not go well, KKR might promote him to open alongside Phil Salt.

With Nos. 5, 6, and 7 already being there, KKR would love to have a low-profile yet talented middle-order batter at No. 4, very similar to someone like Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who made headlines last season. KKR would love to have him back within INR 4 crores.

Targeted Bowler For KKR In IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Josh Hazlewood could be another smart buy for KKR (Source: @hritik_bali/X)

Josh Hazlewood - Base Price 2 Crore
Estimated Price - INR 6-8 Crore

With most of the superstar fast bowlers will be in high demand, KKR would love to have a budget pick to lead the pack. They are unlikely to afford someone like Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami, among many others, and hence, Josh Hazlewood is the one who could be a safe pick for the Purple and Gold brigade.

Bringing back Vaibhav Arora could be another good choice for KKR, and altering him among impact players, who else but the clutch god Venkatesh Iyer, could be another excellent pick. They should not fetch big money either, to give the ardent fans some relief.

Back-Up Plans For KKR In IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Anuj Rawat, KS Bharat, Akash Madhwal, Yash Thakur, Mayank Agarwal, Umran Malik, Manish Pandey, Lizaad Williams, Kyle Mayers, Jhye Richardson, Dunith Wellalage

Targeted Playing 12 For KKR In IPL 2025

Sunil Narine
Phil Salt (WK)/Devon Conway
KL Rahul (C)
Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Rinku Singh
Andre Russell
Ramandeep Singh
Harshit Rana
Varun Chakaravarthy
Josh Hazlewood
Impact Player - Vaibhav Arora/Venkatesh Iyer (Bowling first/Batting First)

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