IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer reveals all about being thrown out of KKR

Indian Premier League (IPL) winning captain Shreyas Iyer has broken his silence on his exit from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after a prolific 2024 season. Shreyas Iyer said that there was a lack of communication from the franchise regarding his retention, which led to uncertainty about his future with the team.

The 30-year-old cricketer attracted attention in the IPL 2025 mega auction due to his batting skills and leadership experience. He became one of the most expensive acquisitions, with Punjab Kings securing him for Rs 26.75 crore. Iyer was recently appointed as the captain of PBKS for the upcoming IPL 2025 season.

Shreyas Iyer Led Kolkata Knight Riders to Their IPL 2024 Title

Shreyas Iyer led the Kolkata Knight Riders to their IPL 2024 title. However, the right-handed batter was not retained by the franchise and was placed in the auction pool. KKR's decision to part ways with Iyer, especially after he ended the team's 10-year title drought, surprised fans and disappointed the player.

Many expected the batter to be retained, but KKR chose a different path when it came time for retentions. They kept players like Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Rinku Singh, among others. KKR attempted to bring Iyer back but could not afford him beyond the Rs 10 crore mark due to their limited budget.

There Was a Layover and No Concrete Effort in Having a Retention Talk - Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer said that he was disappointed over the lack of communication from Kolkata Knight Riders regarding his retention. He recalled that they had a conversation about retention right after the victory, but there was no "concrete effort" by KKR regarding the retention.

“Certainly, I had a fantastic time winning the championship at KKR. The fan following was outstanding; they were electrifying in the stadium, and I loved every moment I spent there. So obviously, we had a conversation (about retention) straight after the IPL championship," he was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

"But for a few months, there was a layover and no concrete effort in having a retention talk. I was perplexed about what was happening. So, because of a lack of communication, we came to a situation where we parted ways mutually. And that’s the long and short of it," Iyer added.

Whatever Is Written Is Supposed to Happen - Shreyas Iyer

With no updates on his future and only learning about the situation a week before the retention date, Shreyas said that he decided to enter the IPL 2025 mega auction, accepting that whatever happens is meant to be.

“Yes, obviously disappointed, because when you don’t have a certain line of communication and if you get to know things one week prior to the retention date, then obviously something is lacking over there. So, I had to take a call. Whatever is written is supposed to happen," he added.

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