IPL 2025 KKR Retained Players List – All Combinations Explored

Andre Russell and Sunil Narine under the radar as we look at the best retained players list for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for IPL 2025.

The 2024 IPL champions, Kolkata Knight Riders will be one team that would not want to start afresh in the 2025 season. The team won their third IPL after a gap of almost 10 years with a strong core and team. But unfortunately, if not most, some of the quality players will have to bid farewell to the team with the IPL 2025 Mega Auction in focus. 

With IPL 2025 Auction being a Mega Auction, KKR will only be allowed to retain 4-6 players. This will be a big bummer for the team given they are title defenders, and would have ideally liked to continue with almost the same squad. The management might also be in favor of retaining as many players as possible, and would have suggested the same in the recent IPL Managers meet.

But, as we know the reality might be far off from what KKR may want. KKR does have some 8-10 quality players in their side, and would have ideally liked to retain all those players. But with KKR being allowed only 4-6 players to retain for IPL 2025, let’s explore the complete combinations that Kolkata Knight Riders may look at when it comes to their retained players for IPL 2025.   

IPL 2025 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Retained Players List – All Combinations

Scenario One – 4 Players Retained

Let’s start with the first scenario of retaining 4 players. If we talk about KKR’s potential four players, we will have to start with Shreyas Iyer. Iyer, the Captain and leader of the Kolkata Knight Riders team led them to their third IPL title. With his batting returns also being good, it is a no-brainer for KKR to retain him as the first player. The only thing debatable for Iyer may be his retainer price. Doubt KRK will spend the highest price bracket on him

Following Shreyas shall be KKR’s two most valuable players when it comes to all-round performance, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine. Both have been stalwarts for KKR when it comes to not only building the team but also improving the team’s brand image. Both provide potent utility in both departments and are still good when it comes to fitness for another 1-2 years. 

Finally, for the fourth spot, the team will mostly proceed with Rinku Singh. Rinku may not have had the desired impact in IPL 2025 as he usually has had in previous years, but his potential and ability to finish are phenomenal. He is doing the toughest job in cricket, and that is to finish matches. Thankfully, his calm and composed nature has helped him finish quite a good number of matches.

ALSO READ: IPL 2025: All 10 Teams Best Retained Squad Players List

Scenario Two – 5 Players Retained

Now, moving on to scenario two which is retaining 5 players. If we were to select five players, KKR will select the four as defined above in the form of Andre Russell, Shreyas Iyer, Sunil Narine, and Rinku Singh. For the fifth option, KKR should mostly select Venkatesh Iyer above anyone else. Of course, Venkatesh isn’t the most flamboyant name in the side, but he has been a match-winner for them, and also played a key role in the final. 

Scenario Three – 6 Players Retained

Finally, talking about the best 6-player scenario, KKR shall mostly opt for Harshit Rana above the likes of potential options like Varun Chakravarthy, Nitish Rana, Phil Salt, and Vaibhav Arora. Harshit is one of the best emerging fast bowlers in the country, and he has also recently been selected for the Indian team. With an eye on the future, it makes sense to invest in Harshit Rana more than anyone else. 

IPL 2025 KKR Best Retained Players List:

1. Andre Russell
2. Shreyas Iyer
3. Sunil Narine
4. Rinku Singh
5. Venkatesh Iyer
6. Harshit Rana

So, that’s about the best retain players list for KKR for IPL 2025. Overall, if given an option, other than the 5 players mentioned above, KKR may also retain the likes of Phil Salt, Varun Chakravarthy, Nitish Rana, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and Vaibhav Arora. While they may not be able to retain more than 6, if given an option for uncapped players, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Vaibhav Arora may be the two more names to explore. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your take on the retained players list scenarios for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for IPL 2025? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.