IPL Retention 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders set to Release their Highest Four earners from IPL 2024 as Shreyas, Russell set for Auction

With just a day remaining before the IPL 2025 retention deadline, the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders are pondering a humongous shift in their squad.

KKR, the IPL 2024 champions, are poised to release some of their key players from the yesteryears. As per reports, the Knight Riders are eyeing to keep four players ahead of auction next month.

Shreyas Iyer Andre Russell KKR — Shreyas Iyer and Andre Russell (Image: IPL)

The franchise is expected to retain Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, and uncapped fast bowler Harshit Rana. KKR's retention strategy might also include Ramandeep Singh, a promising lower middle-order batter. If retained, this would leave KKR with only one right-to-match option for a capped player at the auction.

IPL Retention 2025: No Shreyas Iyer for KKR

However, they are unlikely to keep their title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer and star allrounder Andre Russell. Shreyas Iyer is set to Leave Kolkata Knight Riders due to differences in salary, while star player Andre Russell is unlikely to find a place in their retention books.

Russell had a fantastic campaign for KKR with the bat and ball last season but the Knight Riders may use the RTM card to reinstate the Jamaican. Along with Russell, IPL's richest man Mitchell Starc may find him out of the KKR setup as well. The Australian was signed for Rs 24.75 crore in the IPL 2024 auction and despite his poor performance during the league phase that year, he played crucial roles in both the playoffs and the Final. But he is likely to seek pastures new in the auction.

With that, KKR are set to release all of their top four earners from IPL 2024 (except Varun Chakravarthy, who was joint 4th highest earner at KKR).

KKR Top Earners in IPL 2024

Player	Salary (in INR)	Retention Status
1. Mitchell Starc	Rs 24.75 crore	Released
2. Shreyas Iyer	Rs 12.25 crore	Released
3. Andre Russell	Rs 12 crore	Released
4. Venkatesh Iyer	Rs 8 crore	Released

The IPL has set specific minimum deductions from the auction purse for each retained player. These deductions are INR 18 crore for the first player, INR 14 crore for the second, INR 11 crore for the third, INR 18 crore for the fourth, INR 14 crore for the fifth, and INR 4 crore for an uncapped player. Franchises have flexibility in paying more or less than these amounts.