Explore the top 5 KKR stars CSK and DC might target in the IPL 2025 auction for a stronger squad. Kolkata Knight Riders have kept six players for IPL 2025: Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh. They spent 57 crores out of their 120 crore budget to retain these key players. Now, they have 63 crores left for the big auction. Rinku Singh is the most expensive, kept for 13 crores.
Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have 65 crores each for the auction and might try to buy some of KKR’s retained players. Although Kolkata released some big names, they kept their main team. CSK and DC, who didn’t perform well last season, want to add players from the defending champion team.
Here are 5 KKR players that CSK and DC might fight for in the auction.
5. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
KKR bought Gurbaz for 50 lakhs before IPL 2024. He missed most matches but played in Qualifier 1 and the final because Phil Salt left for the T20 World Cup 2024. In these two games, he scored 62 runs with an average of 31 and a strike rate of 134.78. In the final against SRH, his 39 runs off 32 balls, including five fours and two sixes, helped KKR win their third title.
Gurbaz admires CSK legend MS Dhoni and sees him as an inspiration. If CSK wants a stable batting order after Ajinkya Rahane, they might consider him. DC, needing a strong wicketkeeper-batsman after Rishabh Pant, could also go for Gurbaz.
4. Nitish Rana
Nitish Rana, who was once KKR’s captain, played only two matches in IPL 2024. He had a finger injury, and even after recovering, he wasn’t included in the team because they didn’t want to change their winning lineup. In those two matches, he scored 42 runs, with 33 as his highest score.
KKR bought Rana for 8 crores before IPL 2024. He spent six years with the team and captained them in IPL 2023, but KKR finished seventh that year. Rana could be a good option for DC, which needs a captain after releasing Pant. For CSK, he could strengthen the middle order with Shivam Dubey.
3. Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer was KKR’s most valuable player since 2021 but was released before the 2025 season. In 2024, he played 14 matches, scoring 370 runs with an average of 46.25 and a strike rate of 158.80. He also scored an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls in the final.
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Iyer can bat as an opener or in the middle order. CSK might want him for his flexibility, as they tried changing their batting lineup last year. DC could use him as an opener after releasing Jake Fraser-McGurk and Prithvi Shaw before the mega auction.
2. Philip Salt
Phil Salt gave KKR a strong start, opening with Sunil Narine. Before leaving for national duty, he played 12 matches, scoring 435 runs with an average of 39.55 and a strike rate of 182. His top score was 89* against Lucknow Super Giants.
KKR bought Salt for ₹1.5 crore before the last season. With DC releasing two main openers and David Warner not in the squad, Salt could be a good choice for them. CSK, also needing an attacking opener, might target Phil Salt too.
1. Shreyas Iyer
KKR shocked many by releasing Shreyas Iyer before the mega auction. This decision was surprising because Iyer had led KKR to the IPL title last season. Since KKR has no RTM (Right to Match) card left, other teams can easily bid for him.
Iyer played 14 matches last season, scoring 351 runs with an average of 39 and a strike rate of 146.86. Previously, Iyer was part of DC, where he led the team to the IPL 2020 finals. DC is currently searching for a new captain, and Iyer could be a strong choice. His experience as a title-winning captain will make him even more appealing.
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