IPL 2025 : Aakash Chopra Makes Huge Claim, Accuses Shreyas Iyer Of Lying About KKR Retention

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Aakash Chopra has countered Shreyas Iyer's claim that insufficient communication between him and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) led to his release ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.

Shreyas, in a conversation with Indian Express, expressed his confusion over KKR's lack of effort to discuss his retention, which eventually led to their mutual parting of ways. The Punjab Kings signed him for a record-breaking ₹26.75 crore, making him their captain.

Shreyas said, "I loved my time at KKR but was left 'perplexed' when the team didn't make a 'concrete effort' to speak about retention for months. The 'lack of communication' led the parties to 'mutually' part ways."

However, on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra contradicted Shreyas' statement, saying KKR had, in fact, engaged in discussions with the player. "Shreyas Iyer was the captain. He should have been in the original scheme of things. KKR did not speak to him - he has said this in an interview. I can now confirm there were discussions between KKR and Shreyas Iyer. They had a long chat. There was no agreement. That's a separate issue," Chopra remarked.

Chopra also emphasized KKR's history of maintaining long-term relationships with players like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, and pointed out the franchise's efforts to reacquire Venkatesh Iyer at the auction after they couldn't initially retain him. "This is a franchise that invests in relationships," he added.

Chopra further suggested that Shreyas may have had his own concerns about the auction dynamics, cryptically hinting at the concept of karma. "I am not going to spell it out. Shreyas had some apprehensions about how it goes in the auction, 'if I end up somewhere, then what will happen'. It is interesting what has happened. Sometimes you start thinking, 'Karma is real yaar,' you never know. I can confirm the discussions did take place. However, Shreyas says there were no discussions. There is some discrepancy. I, too, have my sources," he said.

Shreyas had a highly successful 2024, winning the IPL, Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. As the newly appointed captain of Punjab Kings, one of IPL's least successful franchises, he now faces the challenge of leading them to their maiden title.