• By Namrata Vijay
  • Sat, 02 Nov 2024 10:27 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

IPL 2025 Retentions: KKR batter Venkatesh Iyer was one of the few players who wasn't retained by the franchise before the IPL 2025 mega auction. The star batter finally opened up to this decision and reckoned that although he did want to play for them but eventually accepted their decision.

The three-time IPL champions made some bold decisions on Thursday, which was the last day for all the franchises to unveil their retention list. They decided to retain players like Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Rusell, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh and instead released their skipper Shreyas Iyer.

During an interaction with RevSports, Venkatesh Iyer revealed that the franchise retained some of the good players, especially those, who could both bat and bowl for 14-20 overs in a match.

Also Read: R Ashwin scripts history, joins Anil Kumble in elite list after taking three-wicket haul

“KKR has had a very good retention. I think they have covered easily 14-16 overs and with the bat, they have almost covered five positions. So, they had a great retention but I would have loved to be on that list. KKR has given me a big breakthrough and I have given everything for KKR and beyond cricket, there’s something called emotion,” Venkatesh was quoted as saying on Revsportz.

He did admit that he was sad but he acknowledged the choices he made from a ractical point of view. He also revealed that he was the part of both the part of the decision and he was grateful to them as it was KKR through which he grabbed the attention of the fans.

“This is a family. There’s so much emotion. It kind of makes me teary-eyed that my name is not on the retention list but I am a practical guy. I understand how it works. I was on the receiving end of being one of the retentions in 2022 and I knew how it feels to be retained and to be left out as well. So, I think KKR has had a great retention, really happy about that. I would love to be there and the doors are open. If I have a good auction then I might still end up playing for the team I love the most," he concluded.

The franchise retained players like- Rinku Singh (Rs 13 Crore), Varun Chakravarthy (Rs 12 Crore), Sunil Narine (Rs 12 Crore), Andre Russell (Rs 12 Crore), Harshit Rana (Rs 4 Crore) and Ramandeep Singh (Rs 4 Crore). They would be entering the auction with a purse of Rs 51 crore.