IPL Auction 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders threaten BCCI to boycott mega auction if..

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore recently said that the franchise had opposed the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2025 mega auction). Venky Mysore stated that the mega auction forces IPL franchises to release a core side, which makes it difficult for players to build loyalty with teams.

Many teams have said that IPL should move away from the mega auction format. Notably, without mega auctions, players miss opportunities for salary increases. The IPL aims for all ten franchises to be competitive and fight for playoff spots. The last mega auction took place before the IPL 2022 season.

Kolkata Knight Riders Didn't Want A Mega Auction - Venky Mysore

Speaking to RevSportz, Venky Mysore said that the mega auction format stops player loyalty and brand building. Mysore pointed out that it takes several games each season for him to figure out who is playing for whom. He stated that the auction poses challenges for both franchises and their fans.

"Infact, I will even tell you we did not want a mega auction. Why should we? Why should it be that we have to leave more than two-thirds of our squad? Literally, three-fourths. I am part of this system and yet it takes me three to four games every season to figure out who is playing for who. Think about the fans. How will loyalty be built?," Mysore told RevSportz.

There Should Be A Mini-Auction Not A Mega Auction - Venky Mysore

Venky Mysore revealed that the Kolkata Knight Riders had suggested to the BCCI to conduct a mini-auction instead of a mega-auction. Mysore said that teams should have core players that fans can cheer for.

"We had suggested to the BCCI that there should be a mini-auction and not a mega auction, for that’s how you build brands and create loyalty. When fans scream ‘Andre! Andre!’ or ‘Rinku, Rinku!’, you know they are doing so because they identify with these players. It is essential we have these players with us. With the mega auction, you are forced to leave three-fourths of your squad and that’s why we were opposed to it," Mysore concluded.

Shreyas Iyer Released By Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR found it difficult to retain their top players due to the restriction of a maximum of six retentions. The Kolkata Knight Riders decided to keep Rinku Singh (₹13 crore), Sunil Narine (₹12), Andre Russell (₹12), Varun Chakravarthy (₹12), along with uncapped players Harshit Rana (₹4) and Ramandeep Singh (₹4).

Shreyas Iyer joined KKR for the IPL 2022 after being bought for ₹12.5 crore in the last mega auction. Shreyas guided the Knight Riders to their first title in a decade during the IPL 2024. Several teams, including the Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, might be looking to acquire him in the auction.

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