KKR unlikely to retain Shreyas Iyer for IPL 2025: Report

Star India batter Shreyas Iyer is unlikely to be retained by his Indian Premier League franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders. The veteran Mumbai batter has become a tough negotiator in discussions with the team's management, forcing them to seemingly give up on their captain as well. However, it is now certain that he won't be on KKR's retention list as well, which will be submitted to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday evening as well. While the option to exercise the Right to Match (RTM) card is available, that will be during the time of auction, sometime next month as well.

However, it's understood that Shreyas Iyer was asking for an exorbitant fee. And, the professionals in the IPL look over other facts - fitness issues, recent performances and current international status also play a key part for a player. Moreover, the valuation of the IPL depends on serious data crunching too.

KKR bought Shreyas Iyer with a whopping price of INR 12.25 crore

His current IPL salary is INR 12.25 crore, with which KKR bought him in the 2022 auction. In that season, he scored 401 runs in 14 games which came at an average of 30.85. In the 2024 season, he scored 50 runs fewer, at an average of 39, thanks to five unbeaten innings as well. He also missed the 2023 season due to a recurring back injury that required surgery too. Overall, in nine seasons and 115 games, he has 3127 runs which came at an average of 32.24 and strike rate of 127.48 as well. He is currently without a BCCI central contract and he is out of the Indian team too, after missing a Ranji Trophy match last season as well.

"As of last Friday, the two parties hadn't spoken. There was lot of word going around on Shreyas Iyer and KKR but the two never sat across the table to have any discussion with regards to the plans for future or the IPL retentions. The first conversation happened on Sunday," said a source close to developments.

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According to the report, sources close to the developments have shared their views on it.

KKR won their third IPL title under Shreyas Iyer this season

"Iyer won a title last season, has been a proven leader when he successfully led Delhi Capitals. He has been a hot property in the league and it's no surprise there were approaches from multiple franchise the moment KKR chose to take a backseat. If he goes into the auction pool, there will be at least three franchises who would be looking to get him. Indian middle-order bat, proven leader. Who would want to miss that combination? Not many," a source told TOI.

Meanwhile, former India player Harbhajan Singh named Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Phil Salt, and Sunil Narine as five possible retentions by KKR to keep their core group intact as well.

“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," Harbhajan told Star Sports.