Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The IPL 2025 retention list of the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has come quite surprising for fans, as captain Shreyas Iyer’s name was missing. In a surprising move, KKR left out their IPL 2024 winning captain, the decision that has shocked fans who expected Iyer to continue leading the franchise. Instead, the franchise has shown faith in veterans, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, retaining them for INR 12 Crore each.
With multiple reasons circulating, we have analyzed and come up with three possible reasons why Shreyas Iyer isn’t on the retention list for the IPL 2025 season and will not return for the purple and gold franchise.
Three possible reasons behind KKR's decision to release Shreyas Iyer
Financial considerations
Reports suggest that negotiations between KKR management and Shreyas Iyer took place before the retention deadline. However, the talks didn't materialise as Iyer demanded an increase in his pay. In 2023, Iyer was purchased for INR 12.25 Crore. The franchise seems to be keeping its options open, possibly aiming to acquire a strong Indian middle-order batsman at a comparatively lower price during the auction.
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Team balance issues
Despite scoring 351 runs at an average of 39.00 in 14 matches during IPL 2024, Shreyas Iyer's batting approach was a cause of concern. His tendency to take time settling at the crease, particularly during crucial scoring phases, often affected the team's momentum. This approach resulted in limited opportunities for power-hitters like Andre Russell and Rinku Singh.
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Iyer vs. Gambhir - Who led the title win?
While Shreyas Iyer was the captain, many fans and cricket experts attributed KKR's 2024 title victory to mentor Gautam Gambhir's influence. Strategic decisions, such as using Sunil Narine as an opener for a better opening - led many to believe that Gautam Gambhir was behind KKR's success. This perception might have influenced the management's decision to explore different captaincy options while maintaining their winning formula.
