Russell to Narine: KKR's probable retained players | IPL 2025 auction

KKR is filled with star players, which means picking the best possible names for retention will require a lot of brainstorming by the team management.

The preparations for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will officially begin with its mega auction later in November, but before that, teams will have to submit their official retention list to BCCI by the end of this month, i.e., October 31, 2024. While all teams are busy finalising their list, one team whose list will be one of the most awaited among the fans would be the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The Kolkata-based franchise won their third title after beating SRH in the IPL 2024 final. The team is filled with star players, which means picking the best possible names will require a lot of brainstorming by the team management. But who are the top contenders to make the cut for KKR? Let’s take a look. 

Andre Russell 

The West Indian hard-hitting all-rounder has been one of the key players in KKR’s recent success. His ability to score quick runs and take wickets in the middle overs makes him a prime candidate for making it to KKR’s official retention list for IPL 2025. As per reports, Russell can be awarded the top spot on the retention list with Rs 18 crore as his contract amount. 

Andre Russell stats for KKR
Year	Mat	No	Runs	HS	Avg	SR	100	50	4s	6s	CT
Career	126	20	2484	88*	29.22	174.93	0	11	170	209	35
2024	14	2	222	64*	31.71	185	0	1	20	16	3
2023	14	3	227	42	20.64	145.51	0	0	13	18	6
2022	14	3	335	70*	37.22	174.48	0	1	18	32	2
2021	10	2	183	54	26.14	152.5	0	1	14	14	2
2020	10	0	117	25	13	144.44	0	0	9	9	2
2019	14	4	510	80*	56.66	204.81	0	4	31	52	4
2018	16	3	316	88*	28.72	184.79	0	1	17	31	8
2016	12	1	188	39*	26.85	164.91	0	0	10	15	2
2015	13	2	326	66	36.22	192.89	0	3	35	19	6
2014	2	0	2	1	1	25	0	0	0	0	0

 

Shreyas Iyer 

The Indian batter Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to their first title after 2014 and third overall title earlier this year, can be rewarded with the second spot on the retention list for Rs 14 crore. His exceptional leadership skills and ability to control the match's pace in the middle order can prove useful for KKR in their title defence.

 

Shreyas Iyer stats for KKR
Year	Mat	No	Runs	HS	Avg	SR	100	50	4s	6s	CT
Career	115	18	3127	96	32.24	127.48	0	21	271	113	49
2024	14	5	351	58*	39	146.86	0	2	34	14	10
2023	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP
2022	14	1	401	85	30.85	134.56	0	3	41	11	5

 

  Nitish Rana 

One of the most consistent performers for KKR, Rana has been a team man ever since he joined the side. He even led the team during IPL 2023 when Shreyas Iyer got injured before the tournament. Rana can be offered the third spot on the retention list for Rs 11 crore. 

Nitish Rana stats for KKR
Year	Mat	No	Runs	HS	Avg	SR	100	50	4s	6s	CT
Career	107	9	2636	87	28.65	135.04	0	18	234	132	24
2024	2	0	42	33	21	123.53	0	0	5	1	0
2023	14	1	413	75	31.77	140.96	0	3	39	20	3
2022	14	1	361	57	27.77	143.82	0	2	29	22	6
2021	17	3	383	80	29.46	121.97	0	2	34	17	4
2020	14	0	352	87	25.14	138.58	0	3	43	12	2
2019	14	1	344	85*	34.4	146.38	0	3	27	21	3
2018	15	2	304	59	23.38	131.03	0	1	26	14	2

 

Sunil Narine 

The West Indian bowling all-rounder joined KKR in 2012 and has been with them ever since. He was part of KKR’s three title-winning teams. Along with his bowling, he has proved himself as quite an exceptional opener with the ability to score quick runs during the powerplay. It will not be a surprise to anyone if KKR’s team management decides to retain him at the number four spot for Rs 18 crore. 

Sunil Narine stats for KKR
Year	Mat	Balls	Runs	WKTS	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4W	5W
Career	177	4076	4571	180	5/19	25.39	6.73	22.64	7	1
2024	15	330	368	17	2/22	21.65	6.69	19.41	0	0
2023	14	288	383	11	3/33	34.82	7.98	26.18	0	0
2022	14	336	312	9	2/21	34.67	5.57	37.33	0	0
2021	14	336	361	16	4/21	22.56	6.44	21	1	0
2020	10	228	302	5	2/28	60.4	7.94	45.6	0	0
2019	12	266	347	10	2/19	34.7	7.82	26.6	0	0
2018	16	366	467	17	3/18	27.47	7.65	21.52	0	0
2017	16	354	412	10	2/29	41.2	6.98	35.4	0	0
2016	11	257	304	11	3/26	27.63	7.09	23.36	0	0
2015	8	192	234	7	4/19	33.42	7.31	27.42	1	0
2014	16	384	407	21	4/20	19.38	6.35	18.28	2	0
2013	16	384	350	22	4/13	15.9	5.46	17.45	2	0
2012	15	355	324	24	5/19	13.5	5.47	14.79	1	1

 

Rinku Singh 

One of the hottest talents in T20 cricket, the explosive middle-order batter has proved himself as a match-winner for KKR in the last couple of seasons. KKR might find it tough to buy him back if they decide to let him go before the auction. Hence, he can be awarded Rs 14 crore with the fifth spot on the retention list. 

Rinku Singh stats for KKR
Year	Mat	No	Runs	HS	Avg	SR	100	50	4s	6s	CT
Career	45	11	893	67*	30.79	143.34	0	4	67	46	30
2024	14	2	168	26	18.67	148.67	0	0	13	8	7
2023	14	6	474	67*	59.25	149.53	0	4	31	29	8
2022	7	2	174	42*	34.8	148.72	0	0	17	7	9
2020	1	0	11	11	11	100	0	0	1	0	1
2019	5	1	37	30	18.5	108.82	0	0	1	2	1
2018	4	0	29	16	7.25	93.54	0	0	4	0	4

  KKR Full squad for IPL 2024 and their salary

 

Player	Nationality	Role	Price
Shreyas Iyer	Indian	Batsman	₹12,25,00,000.00
Nitish Rana	Indian	All-Rounder	₹8,00,00,000.00
Rinku Singh	Indian	Batsman	₹55,00,000.00
Anukul Roy	Indian	All-Rounder	₹20,00,000.00
Vaibhav Arora	Indian	Bowler	₹60,00,000.00
Suyash Sharma	Indian	Bowler	₹20,00,000.00
Rahmanullah Gurbaz	Overseas	Wicketkeeper	₹50,00,000.00
Jason Roy,	Overseas	Batsman