With the IPL Retentions deadline approach, franchises have gone into overdrive mode, with a surprise move from defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who want to have all-rounder Andre Russell as their first retentions ahead of captain Shyreas Iyer. RCB Retentions For IPL 2025: List of Players Royal Challengers Bengaluru Can Likely Retain Ahead of Indian Premier League Mega Auction.

As reported by Times of India, KKR are willing to shell the maximum retention amount for Russell, who has been their backbone since arriving in the franchise. Interestingly, Russell was retained by KKR ahead of the IPL 2023 edition as well for INR 12 Crore, despite undergoing a lean patch in the previous season.

Iyer, who lifted a third IPL title for KKR, is likely to be removed from the captaincy role but still be retained, which remains unclear. Several teams are eying good domestic captains, which is where Iyer comes in and could be lapped by former franchise Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, or Lucknow Kings.  IPL 2025 Mega Auction Likely to Take Place in Riyadh on November 24 and 25: Report.

Having won IPL 2024, KKR would be spoilt for choices as their retention picks, with players like Rinku Singh, Ventakesh Iyer, Varun Chakavarthy, Sunil Narine, and Nitish Rana in their squad. Recently, Rana stated that KKR management has not reached out to the Uttar Pradesh player regarding retention.

KKR will head into the IPL 2025 Mega Auction with a new support staff,  mentored by former West Indies player Dwayne Bravo, who replaces  Gautam Gambhir, who moved into a coaching role with Team India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 21, 2024 05:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).