Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won their third title in the 2024 season, their first in ten years. They had a full team and played like a well-oiled machine, with each player playing their role to perfection.

Looking ahead to next season, they will have to make some tough decisions and leave out several quality players to prepare for the next edition. However, they could also make some shocking retentions and retain some players who appear to be released by the franchise.

We look at three shocking retentions that KKR could make ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.

Phil Salt

Phil Salt was one of the main reasons behind KKR’s winning campaign last season, scoring 435 runs at an average of 39.54 and a strike rate of 182 in 12 innings, including four fifties. Despite performing so well, KKR is expected to release him as they have a glut problem.

However, Salt is an aggressor at the top and keeps wickets while also having experience playing in the league. Given his contributions, he will advance a case and can be a long-term investment for the franchise.

Also Read: Three Impact Retentions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Could Make Ahead of IPL 2025 Auction

Venkatesh Iyer

Another player who played a key role in KKR’s winning campaign, Venkatesh Iyer, is another player KKR can look to retain ahead of other big names. He was among the most consistent KKR batsmen in the competition and played a crucial role in playing timely knocks.

He is a solid middle-order batsman and can also contribute with the ball, apart from being a proven player, making him a complete package. Since he brings consistency and LHB factor to the table, Venkatesh can be an option to retain, especially after his performances last season.

Suyash Sharma

Suyash Sharma is a skilled player but he didn’t get many opportunities last season. However, KKR can try to retain him as an uncapped player because retaining Varun Chakravarthy will not be easy among so many star players.

So, they can stay with Suyash and get a long-term investment for the next few years for just INR 4 crores. Barring Ramandeep Singh, KKR will have to make a decision between Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Suyash and they can opt for the latter.

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