The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have made headlines recently, not just for their retentions but for what seems to be a communication gap with two of their former stars, Shreyas Iyer and Mitchell Starc. Both players were instrumental in KKR’s previous seasons and were expected to be retained, given their immense contributions to the team. However, they were left out, and now reports suggest that there may have been a lapse in communication between the franchise and the players.
What Happened with Shreyas Iyer and Mitchell Starc?
Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to success in the past, was expected to be retained by the franchise, especially considering his consistent performance. In IPL 2024, Iyer scored 351 runs in 14 matches at an impressive average of 39, including two fifties, and showed exemplary leadership on the field. Similarly, Mitchell Starc, KKR’s marquee player at INR 24.75 crore, took 14 wickets in 11 matches, with a standout performance in the finals that earned him the Player of the Match award.
According to KKR CEO Venky Mysore, the franchise aimed to maintain transparency with the players throughout the retention process. “First and foremost, I think our approach has always been to maintain transparency and have proper conversations with everyone,” Mysore had stated, noting that he engaged with both retained and non-retained players.
However, as per recent reports, it appears that the communication may not have been as thorough as initially indicated. The Times of India reported that Shreyas Iyer was only contacted on October 27, just a few days before the retention deadline of October 31. Meanwhile, Starc mentioned to The Daily Telegraph that he hadn’t heard from KKR at all, adding to the speculation of a breakdown in communication.
A Surprising Move
The lack of communication has come as a shock to fans and analysts, especially given the role both Iyer and Starc played in KKR’s recent success. Fans are questioning the rationale behind the decision to let go of two key players, and the uncertainty around the retentions has cast a shadow over KKR’s management decisions ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
KKR’s IPL 2025 Retained Players and Remaining Purse
KKR’s retained players for the IPL 2025 season include:
- Rinku Singh – ₹13 crore
- Varun Chakravarthy – ₹12 crore
- Andre Russell – ₹12 crore
- Sunil Narine – ₹12 crore
- Harshit Rana – ₹4 crore
- Ramandeep Singh – ₹4 crore
With these retentions, KKR heads into the auction with a remaining purse of ₹63 crore. However, the absence of players like Iyer and Starc may require the franchise to fill some significant gaps in the lineup.
A Cause for Concern?
KKR’s approach towards retentions has sparked a debate about player relations and team management in the IPL. While KKR has historically maintained strong ties with its players—seen in the example of Gautam Gambhir’s association with the franchise even after his retirement—this recent incident with Iyer and Starc raises concerns over how the team handles communication with key players.
As the franchise moves forward into the mega auction with ₹63 crore, it remains to be seen how KKR will address these gaps and whether the absence of Iyer and Starc will impact the team’s performance in IPL 2025. The fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the management’s decisions play out in the upcoming season.