IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer could be sacked as KKR captain, Andre Russell to be top retention

Kolkata Knight Riders are likely to retain their captain Shreyas Iyer and star all-rounder Andre Russell ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The deadline to announce the list of retained players is October 31.

While Russell is set to be retained as the highest paid player, Iyer's retention is not yet confirmed as he could be removed from the captaincy role.

Both Shreyas Iyer and Andre Russell are two key players for KKR and played big roles in the team's title win last season. Although KKR would like to retain both of them, but it remains to be seen whether they manage to do it or not.

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Shreyas Iyer to be removed as KKR captain?

Shreyas Iyer is understood to be retained, although, not in the highest price tag. Iyer joined KKR for INR 12.25 crore in the IPL 2022 auction.

Reportedly, there is no confirmation on Iyer leading KKR in the upcoming season as he could be removed from the captaincy and could join another franchise after entering the mega auction.

If Shreyas Iyer chooses to go into the mega auction, he is likely to fetch a high amount as numerous franshises are looking for a captain for the upcoming years. An Indian captain is always in high demand and Iyer fulfills that criteria.

Teams like Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals are searching for a captain and they could raise a high bid for Iyer which can get him good money.

Shreyas Iyer also has a good record as a captain in the Indian Premier League. Under his captaincy, Delhi Capitals finished as the runners-up of IPL 2020. In the last season, he led Kolkata Knight Riders to a third IPL title win.

Thus, his leadership credentials can earn him big money. Alongside being a captain, Iyer is also a capable middle order batter and is a game-changer in the middle order.

KKR likely to retain Andre Russell in the highest price tag

Meanwhile, Andre Russell is one of the prime all-rounders in IPL history. According to TOI, he is the frontrunner to be retained with a high price tag. Russell was retained for INR 12 crore in the IPL 2022 auction by the franchise. He is expected to get a raise this time around.

Andre Russell has been associated with Kolkata Knight Riders since 2014 and has been involved in franchise's two IPL title wins out of three. He played a key role in Kolkata's title victory in IPL 2024.

The allrounder scored 222 runs with the bat in 9 innings at an average of 31.71 and a strike rate of 185. He also had a great time with the ball and finished as his team's joint-highest wicket taker of the season with 19 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 15.52.

New IPL rentention rules

According to the new IPL rules, a franchise can retain a maximum of six players in which one has to be an uncapped player. A team can pick a maximum of two uncapped players in the squad.