The famous Eden Gardens in Kolkata is all set to undergo a massive makeover in 2025 before the T20 World Cup 2026. For the same reason, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders may have to move their base to some other place for a few if not all the matches. And, Tripura becomes the frontrunner as it could host the IPL as well.

KKR to play a few games at Narsingarh

Notably, the construction for the international cricket stadium at Narsingarh started way back in 2017 for an estimated cost of INR 185 crore and the stadium is now nearly ready to host matches as well. Tripura Cricket Association secretary Subrata Dey also confirmed that the stadium will be ready by February 2025 as well. He also confirmed that the stadium could host KKR or some other state as well.

“IPL chairman Arun Kumar Dhumal recently visited the proposed international stadium at Narsingarh on the outskirts of the state capital. He said if the stadium’s is ready before February next year, it could be made second home ground of KKR or some else other state will get the benefit,” Subarta was quoted as saying by News18.

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TCA secretary hopeful of hosting KKR games

“Since it is a golden chance to host IPL matches at the proposed stadium, we have summoned a reputed construction agency to expedite work and get it completed by February 2025. The TCA will review the construction work and if the agency fails to meet the deadline, we will terminate it and engage a new firm to complete the remaining work,” he further added.

However, the deadline to set up the stadium was 22 months but it has taken seven years since the project started as well. The TCA has also asked the firm to finish the rest of the work in the stipulated time as he is assured of hosting at least two of KKR’s games next year as well.

“If we could complete the stadium’s work by February next year, I am confident of hosting at least two IPL matches of KKR at Narsingarh International Cricket Stadium”, he said.

As all 10 franchises gear up to lock horns in the upcoming mega auction in Riyadh later this month, most of their quest will be centered around looking for a new captain. The Indian wicketkeepers featuring the likes of Rishab Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer will also be in contention in this year’s mega auction race. 

As many as four IPL franchises have released their respective captains ahead of the grand Riyadh auction. Faf has been released by RCB, KL Rahul released by LSG, Pant released by DC, and Iyer released by the defending champions KKR to name a few. With sweeping changes expected across the horizon, we highlight some common problems the franchises are expected to encounter in this forthcoming auction. 

Common headaches for all franchises ahead of the IPL auction

As we have now learnt, teams have expressed their desire to let go of their captains. The exit of the past skippers will undoubtedly leave a power vacuum. KKR, RCB, LSG, and DC will be without their former captains who performed remarkably well for them over the years. The gap can also result in decreased performance and impact on the field as well as off-the-field relationships between the players and the coaching staff. In other words, with new talent onboard, success may not always be guaranteed as the players and the management need to starch from scratch while forging new relations. 

Besides, the departure of other veteran players like Pant or Iyer can leave the team vulnerable on the biggest of stages. Iyer, who was the winning captain of KRR last year comes with a lot of experience and the franchise could have certainly benefitted from him once again in the next season. However, the arrival of a fresh captain can potentially change the dynamics and the composure of the KKR team for the worse. 

While some teams are on the lookout for fresh talent to lead their side, others are also gearing up to find match-winners in the form of wicket-keepers such as Rishab Pant and KL Rahul.  The franchises will have a lot of tough decisions to make as we fast approach the mega auction so don't be surprised if they make any move out of the ordinary.  

The three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will play the IPL 2025 as the defending champions. They have announced the retained played before the mega auction. 

Apart from winning the IPL 2024 after defeating SunRisers Hyderabad in the final, KKR won their first two IPL trophies in 2012 and 2014. 

Before winning the IPL 2024 trophy, KKR finished the league stage as the points table leader. 

Shreyas Iyer has been leading the KKR since the 2022 edition and he led the team to win the trophy in the last season. However, due to his unavailability for the 2023 season due to an injury, Nitish Rana led the team in the 2023 season. 

Talking about KKR’s success, we should also talk about their runners-up finishing at the Champions League T20 2014, which is now defunct. 

Kolkata Knight Riders player retention

KKR retained six players for INR 57 crore. The defending champions have retained four capped and two uncapped players. Due to using four capped (18 cr+14 cr+11cr+18cr) and two uncapped players (4 cr+4 cr), KKR will lose INR 69 crore. So, they will start the mega auction with a purse value of INR 51 crore.  

(Capped)

Rinku Singh (Indian): INR 13 Crore

Varun Chakravarthy (Indian): INR 12 Crore

Sunil Narine (Trinidadian): INR 12 Crore

Andre Russell (Jamaican): INR 12 Crore

(Uncapped) 

Harshit Rana (Indian): INR 4 Crore

Ramandeep Singh (Indian): INR 4 Crore

Right-to-Match (RTM) card availability for the mega auction

None

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opening batter, visited Kolkata last Friday to record a farewell video for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. Sources confirm that this video marks his goodbye to the franchise, following his successful tenure as team mentor, where he played a crucial role in guiding KKR to the IPL title. Gambhir’s departure from KKR comes as he is set to take on a new and prestigious role as the head coach of the Indian cricket team, replacing Rahul Dravid.

Gambhir sets to lead India

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has granted Gautam Gambhir the autonomy to select his coaching staff for the national team. This move underscores the trust and confidence the BCCI has in Gambhir’s vision for Indian cricket. While it remains uncertain whether a dedicated batting coach will be appointed, given Gambhir’s expertise as a successful opener, one name has already emerged as a potential addition to his support team.

See Also: KL Rahul or Hardik Pandya likely to lead India in the ODI series vs Sri Lanka – Cricket Winner

Gambhir has expressed his desire to include Abhishek Nayar, a former cricketer and seasoned coach, in his coaching setup. As Gambhir prepares to step into his new role, the cricketing community eagerly anticipates the impact of his leadership and the formation of his coaching staff.

Reason for delay in announcing new Indian Cricket team head coach

The Indian cricket team remains without a designated head coach after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended with the T20 World Cup 2024. A second-string team is currently in Zimbabwe, with NCA head VVS Laxman temporarily filling the head coach role. The BCCI has interviewed Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman, with Gambhir expected to be appointed.

However, the official announcement has been delayed due to ongoing salary negotiations between Gambhir and the board. BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed that the new coach will take charge from the Sri Lanka series starting July 27. The board also plans to allow Gambhir a free hand in selecting his support staff, potentially foregoing a batting coach given Gambhir’s experience as an opener.

As per reports in the News18 Bangla, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has approached former India Head Coach Rahul Dravid for the mentor’s post. However, this move came after Dravid’s stint finished with the Indian Team following their T20 World Cup win.

While the reports suggested that former India opener Gautam Gambhir would replace Rahul Dravid as the Team India Head Coach, it is noteworthy that under Gautam Gambhir’s mentorship, KKR won their third IPL title this season as well.

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“Next week I will be unemployed” – Rahul Dravid

However, Rahul Dravid replaced Ravi Shastri as India’s head coach in 2021. During Rahul Dravid’s tenure, Team India played three ICC finals in 12 months. India reached the final of the World Test Championship final and ODI World Cup final at home but in both cases, they lost to Australia. However, they finally end their drought of ICC trophies with the T20 World Cup win recently where they beat South Africa in a nail-biting match.

However, following India’s win, Rahul Dravid was asked about his new venture, to which he shared that he would be “jobless.” “I will be able to move on quickly from this win, next week I will be unemployed (laughs). I don’t want to think too far ahead, but yes, I hope, I will be able to move on. I think that’s what life is all about,” PTI quoted Dravid.

Veteran India player turned mentor Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli’s on-field relationship made headlines a few times when the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) played against each other in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. In the recently-concluded season, Gambhir as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor ‘hugged it out’ with Virat Kohli to make things normal for them and everyone.

Gautam Gambhir mentored KKR in IPL 2024

However, Shreyas Iyer-led KKR, under the guidance of Gambhir, beat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to win their third IPL title. After the win, Gambhir became the frontrunner for the Indian men’s cricket team’s head coach job after Rahul Dravid’s tenure end following the 2024 T20 World Cup.

“The perception is far away from the reality. My relation with Virat Kohli is something this country doesn’t need to know. He has as much right as I do to express himself and help our respective teams win. Our relation is not to give masala to public,” Gambhir told Sportskeeda.

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Earlier, Virat Kohli had recalled his ‘viral’ hug with him as well, saying: “People are very disappointed with my behaviour. I hugged Naveen, and then the other day, Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) came and hugged me. Your masala is over so you’re booing. We’re not kids anymore.”

Gambhir and Kohli both moved on

Notably, the on-field flare-ups between Gambhir and Kohli are well-known, but now it seemed they have moved on from their past rivalry. The duo was seen hugging each other after a match between KKR and Royal Challengers Bengaluru as well and a clip of them chatting went viral on social media as well.

Meanwhile, a BCCI source recently revealed that the Gambhir-Kohli bust-up has ended as well. “If people are talking about Gambhir’s friction with Virat Kohli, it can be confirmed that the two have always got along well off the field,” the source added. “Even after the bust-up during an IPL match last year, the two were made to sit down and sort out any issue if they indeed had one.”

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clinched their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title spectacularly, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Among the many celebrations, one stood out a video call to England and KKR opener Phil Salt, who played a pivotal role in the team’s success before leaving for international duty.

Phil Salt’s Role in KKR’s Success

Salt’s performance was nothing short of sensational. His highest score of 89* came at a crucial juncture, showcasing his ability to handle pressure. His four half-centuries were all scored at Eden Gardens, where he enjoyed a prolific run, scoring 358 runs in seven matches at an average of 58.33 and a strike rate of 185.19.

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KKR’s Journey to the Title

KKR’s journey to their third IPL title was marked by resilience and strategic brilliance. Under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, the team showed remarkable consistency and fighting spirit. Key victories against top teams and a solid performance in the playoffs highlighted their campaign.

The Final Match Recap

In the final, SRH won the toss and elected to bat. However, KKR’s bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc and Andre Russell, dismantled the SRH batting lineup, restricting them to a modest 113 runs. In response, KKR chased down the target in just 10.3 overs, with Venkatesh Iyer and Rahmanullah Gurbaz shining with the bat.

Phil Salt’s Video Call Celebration

As soon as KKR secured the title, the first video call was made to Phil Salt, who was back home preparing for a T20I series against Pakistan. The joyous interaction was shared on KKR’s official social media, showing Salt’s excitement and his teammates’ appreciation for his contributions.

Phil Salt and Sunil Narine: The Dynamic Opening Pair

The opening partnership between Phil Salt and Sunil Narine was a game-changer for KKR. Their complementary styles—Salt’s aggressive batting and Narine’s steady hand—created a formidable opening duo that often put KKR in commanding positions right from the start.

Salt’s journey in IPL 2024 was a story of redemption. Unsold in the previous auction, he was brought in as a replacement for Jason Roy. Salt seized the opportunity, turning his fortunes around and becoming a key player for KKR.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ended their decade-long IPL title drought with a spectacular win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Chasing a modest target of 114 runs, KKR showcased their batting depth and prowess, achieving victory in just 10.3 overs with an 8-wicket margin.

Match Overview

The IPL 2024 final occurred at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on a sunny Sunday evening. SRH won the toss and opted to bat first, aiming to set a challenging total for KKR. SRH managed to post a modest total of 114 runs in their allotted 20 overs, a target that seemed below par on a batting-friendly pitch.

See Also: Mitchell Starc hints at retiring from ODIs to play more franchise cricket

KKR’s Dominant Chase

KKR’s chase began confidently with their openers, who set a strong platform. Venkatesh Iyer was the standout performer for KKR, playing a match-winning innings of 52 not out off 26 balls. His aggressive batting included four boundaries and three sixes, maintaining a strike rate of 200. KKR chased the target in 10.3 overs, showcasing their batting depth and dominance.

SRK’s Joyous Moment

The victory sparked ecstatic celebrations among KKR players, management, and fans. Team owner Shah Rukh Khan led the celebrations, joining the team on the field.

Shah Rukh Khan, visibly overjoyed, celebrated alongside his children Suhana, AbRam, and Aryan Khan. A touching moment was captured when SRK kissed KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir on the forehead, acknowledging his pivotal role in the team’s success.

Family Moments

The victory provided heartwarming family moments. Suhana Khan hugged her father and asked, “Are you happy? I’m so happy.” This tender moment, along with the group hug that followed with AbRam and Aryan, quickly went viral on social media, endearing fans worldwide.

The team’s dominant performance, led by standout contributions from Venkatesh Iyer and Varun Chakravarthy and the strategic brilliance of Gautam Gambhir and Shreyas Iyer, was key to its success. The jubilant celebrations, particularly the heartfelt family moments, added a special touch to the occasion. As KKR basks in their glory, they promise to bring more thrilling cricket to their fans in the future.

Mitchell Starc, one of the most formidable fast bowlers in modern cricket, has long prioritized international duties over franchise commitments. However, after a stellar performance in the 2024 IPL season with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Starc is contemplating a shift in his career focus.

The Decision to Join IPL 2024

For years, Starc stayed away from the IPL to keep himself fresh for Australian cricket. His return to the IPL in 2024, after nearly a decade, was met with excitement and curiosity. Fans and analysts alike were eager to see how he would perform in the world’s most competitive T20 league.

KKR’s record-breaking bid of INR 24.75 crore (approximately $2.98 million) made Starc the most expensive player in IPL history. This financial commitment not only highlighted his value but also added pressure for him to perform.

See Also: OTD in 2012: KKR won their maiden IPL title by defeating CSK

Early Struggles in the Season

Starc’s initial outings were challenging. In his first two games, he went wicketless, conceding 100 runs in eight overs. These performances drew criticism and raised questions about his ability to adapt to T20 cricket after a long hiatus.

Despite the rough start, Starc’s experience and resilience shone through. A match-winning three-wicket haul against the Lucknow Super Giants and a four-for against the Mumbai Indians marked his resurgence. His rhythm and confidence grew as the tournament progressed.

Dominating the Playoffs

In the first qualifier against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Starc was instrumental, with figures of 3 for 34. His ability to deliver under pressure played a crucial role in securing KKR’s place in the final.

The final against SRH was the ultimate test. Starc’s 2 for 14 in a high-stakes game underscored his match-winning capabilities. His disciplined bowling dismantled SRH’s batting lineup, leading KKR to their third IPL title.

Starc’s Reflections and Future Plans

In the post-final press conference, Starc reflected on his IPL journey and the enjoyment he found in the season. He acknowledged the balance between franchise cricket and international duties, hinting at potential changes in his future commitments.

“The last nine years, I’ve prioritised Australian cricket. I have given myself a chance to give my body a break and spend some time away from cricket with my wife as well, so that’s certainly been where my head’s been for the last nine years,” Starc said at a press conference after the IPL 2024 final in Chennai.

Considering a format drop

Starc revealed his contemplation of dropping one format, possibly ODIs, to manage his workload and prolong his career. This decision would allow him to focus more on T20 leagues like the IPL and international Test matches.

“Moving forward… look, I am certainly closer to the end of my career than the start. One format may drop off. There is long time before the next one-day World Cup and whether that format continues for me or not… it may open doors for more franchise cricket.”

Franchise cricket opportunities

With the next ODI World Cup some time away, Starc is open to playing more franchise cricket. His successful IPL stint has reignited his passion for T20s, and he looks forward to returning in KKR’s purple and gold in future seasons.

“Next year – I don’t know the schedule exactly – but I’ve enjoyed it, I look forward to being back next year and hopefully be seen in purple and gold [KKR’s colours] again. “I’ve played a lot of cricket, so I know how to manage myself. I haven’t played a lot of T20 cricket in the last few years, so for me, it was trying to find that rhythm of [the] T20 format, and trying to stay ahead of batters,” Starc said.