IPL 2025 KKR Retained Players Full List: Kolkata Knight Riders Reveal Full List of Retained Players; Rinku Singh Bags Team’s Highest Contract At 13 Crore

IPL 2025 Retentions: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have officially announced their list of retained players for the IPL 2025 season, choosing to hold onto several key performers while making the surprising decision to release their captain, Shreyas Iyer. The decision signals a shift in strategy as the team looks to build around a combination of seasoned stars and emerging talent.

KKR’s Retained Core: Narine, Rinku, Varun, and Harshit Rana

Among those retained are stalwarts who have long served as the backbone of KKR. Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, two of the franchise's most iconic overseas players, are set to return in 2025. Narine, a master spinner and a consistent performer, and Russell, a power hitter and explosive all-rounder, are expected to provide the experience and match-winning abilities KKR needs.

Additionally, Varun Chakravarthy, KKR’s mystery spinner who has been a valuable asset in recent seasons, has also been retained, adding depth to their spin department. The franchise showed faith in Rinku Singh as well, who not only proved his mettle as a dependable middle-order batsman but has also now become the team's highest-paid player at ₹13 crore. Rinku's ability to handle pressure and play crucial innings has made him an integral part of the KKR setup.

Youngsters Harshit Rana and Ramandeep Singh have also found a place in the retention list, reflecting KKR's commitment to nurturing emerging talent while maintaining a balanced squad.

IPL Retention List 2025: Players Retained By KKR

- Rinku Singh

- Sunil Narine

- Varun Chakravarthy

- Harshit Rana

- Ramandeep Singh

- Andre Russell

KKR's Winning Captain Shreyas Iyer Released

One of the biggest surprises from the announcement was the release of Shreyas Iyer. Iyer, who was appointed captain in recent seasons, has led the team with poise, but his departure indicates that KKR might be exploring new leadership options. The absence of Iyer opens the door for a potential leadership shake-up, with the franchise likely to lean on senior players like Russell or Narine to step into a guiding role.

Record-Breaking Starc Released

Mitchell Starc, whom KKR bought for a record-breaking INR 24.75 crore at the IPL 2024 auction, has been released. While Starc's performance in the league phase was underwhelming, he redeemed himself with impressive figures of 3/34 and 2/14 in the playoffs and final. Yet, with a limited number of retention slots, KKR decided to free up resources by releasing the Australian speedster.

Rebuilding Phase Ahead for KKR

With this reshuffle, KKR appears to be heading into a new era, focused on building around a smaller core. While Iyer’s and Starc’s ldeparture may concern fans, the franchise’s investment in consistent performers and rising talent indicates a commitment to long-term stability. As the mega auction approaches, KKR’s strategy will be under the spotlight, with fans eager to see how they capitalize on their new direction for the 2025 IPL season.