IPL Auction 2025: KKR to reacquire Shreyas Iyer, DC to use RTM for Rishabh Pant, reveals legendary cricketer

Legendary India National Cricket Team batsman Sunil Gavaskar has opined that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) would be looking to bring Shreyas Iyer back to their squad at the IPL Auction 2025.

The legendary cricketer also reckoned that the Delhi Capitals (DC) would use RTM to reacquire the services of the star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant at the IPL Auction 2025.

Also Read: Shreyas Iyer appointed as captain of Mumbai for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy; Prithvi Shaw returns

IPL Auction 2025: Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant were not retained by KKR and DC

In what was a shocking development, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) didn't retain their title-winning skipper, Shreyas Iyer, ahead of the IPL Auction 2025.

Reports revealed that the star player was always on KKR's radar for retention, but the two parties didn't reach a financial agreement and the decision was made to part ways.

After releasing Iyer, KKR retained Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Harshit Rana and Ramandeep Singh.

Not just Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul were the other two captains who were released by their respective franchises.

Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals decided to retain Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel, while Lucknow Super Giants retained Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan and Ayushi Badoni.

IPL Auction 2025: There could be a disagreement on the fees - Sunil Gavaskar on Shreyas Iyer's non-retention

Speaking on the Star Sports show 'Game Plan', Sunil Gavaskar said that Shreyas Iyer might have been released by KKR due to a price disagreement, and the franchise might bid for him at the auction.

Gavaskar also feels that Iyer will be in heavy demand at the auction as Delhi Capitals (DC) will bid for him if Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) don't. He said:

"When KKR won last year (IPL 2024), Shreyas Iyer was the captain. As I said earlier for Rishabh Pant as well, at times, there could be a disagreement on the fees."

"However, I also feel once Shreyas Iyer comes into the auction, KKR might also bid for his services. If KKR don't bid, I feel Delhi will do that," the former India captain added.

IPL Auction 2025: So I feel Delhi will definitely try to use the RTM card or bring Rishabh Pant back into their team - Sunil Gavaskar

Talking about Rishabh Pant and the Delhi Capitals situation, Sunil Gavaskar stated that the Delhi Capitals might bring him back to the squad using RTM.

"Delhi will want him because they will also need to find a captain if Rishabh Pant isn't in their team. So I feel Delhi will definitely try to use the RTM card or bring Rishabh Pant back into their team at the auction," he said.

He further stated that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will target KL Rahul at the auction.

"I feel RCB might try to bring KL Rahul to Bengaluru. Chennai Super Kings can also try to bring him with them. So I feel these two southern franchises, Hyderabad might also do that, but Chennai and Bengaluru will definitely try for Rahul's services," Gavaskar observed.