Five Retentions KKR Must Do Ahead of IPL 2025 Auction: The Kolkata Knight Riders did not have a callous campaign in the just concluded IPL 2024, ending at the top of the table and clinching the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. KKR had the most balanced team in IPL 2024, with captain Shreyas Iyer and mentor Gautam Gambhir at the helm of affairs. The KKR should be preparing themselves for IPL 2025 player auctions. Here are five players to consider keeping in KKR’s lineup based on their overall contributions to the team and statistics from IPL 2024.
5. Shreyas lyer
IPL 2024 Performance:
Runs: 358
Average: 39.00
Strike Rate: 146.00
Overall IPL Stats:
Matches: 116
Runs: 3127
Average: 32.23
Strike Rate: 127.47
Shreyas Iyer has been the pivot for KKR, both as a batsman and captain. He can play the anchor and aggressive roles, which makes him very important in the middle order.
4. Andre Russell
IPL 2024 Performance:
Matches: 15
Runs: 222
Strike Rate: 185.00
Wickets: 19
Economy: 10.05
Overall IPL Stats:
Matches: 127
Runs: 2484
Average: 29.26
Strike Rate: 174.93
Wickets: 115
Even with the fitness issues, Andre Russell remained a substantial all-rounder for KKR. His power-hitting and ability to deliver on big moments make him invaluable. Retaining him assures KKR of a match-winner in both the batting and bowling departments.
Also Read: What Is Right To Match (RTM) Rules? Explained Ahead Of IPL 2025 Auction
3. Varun Chakravarthy
IPL 2024 Performance:
Matches: 14
Wickets: 21
Economy Rate: 8.04
Overall IPL Stats:
Matches: 70
Wickets: 83
Economy Rate: 7.56
Varun Chakravarthy continued to be KKR’s go-to spinner, taking some crucial wickets throughout the season. Across seasons, Chakravarthy has been a mainstay of KKR’s bowling attack bringing in that control and handing them the much-needed breakthroughs.
2. Rinku Singh
IPL 2024 Performance:
Runs: 168
Average: 18.66
Strike Rate: 148.67
Overall IPL Stats for KKR:
Matches: 46
Runs: 893
Average: 30.79
Strike Rate: 143.33
Rinku Singh has been an emerging star for KKR and Team India alike and has proven his ability to be a good finisher. His hitting abilities of hitting sixes whenever he desires make him a worthy asset for KKR’s future.
1. Sunil Narine
IPL 2024 Performance:
Wickets: 17
Economy Rate: 6.69
Total runs: 488
Strike rate: 180.74
Overall IPL Stats:
Matches: 177
Wickets: 180
Economy Rate: 6.73
Runs- 1534
Strike rate- 165.83
KKR go for retaining Sunil Narine for IPL 2025 as he has won matches single-handedly, which is a vital characteristic, besides being an excellent bowler and pinch-hitter with lots of experience. He had a dream season for KKR as he was the top run-getter as well as 3rd most wicket-taker. He emerged as the best all-rounder of the IPL 2024 season.
Retention of five players in the form of Shreyas Iyer, Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, Rinku Singh, and Sunil Narine should give KKR a strong core for IPL 2025. Each of these players has proven his mettle earlier and is quite capable of leading KKR to greater heights. A balanced core with strategic additions at the auction will help KKR strive for a better and more consistent campaign in the new season.
