KKR CEO Explains Shreyas Iyer's Release Ahead of IPL 2025 Mega Auction
Mysore emphasized that the retention process requires mutual agreement between the franchise and the player. He explained, "What is fundamental to a retention is that it's a matter of mutually agreeing. It's not a one-sided right that the franchise has; the player has to consider various factors and agree."
Venky Mysore, the CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has provided insight into the franchise's decision to not retain captain Shreyas Iyer for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. Iyer, who led KKR to a resounding victory in the 2024 season, was a top candidate for retention but ultimately parted ways with the franchise as they decided to keep six other players.
In an interview with RevSportz, Mysore revealed that the decision was influenced by Iyer's own desire to test his value in the auction market rather than a lack of interest from KKR. He stated, "He was No. 1 on our list (for retention). He’s captain, and we have to build everything around the leadership. We picked him for this specific reason in 2022."
Mysore emphasized that the retention process requires mutual agreement between the franchise and the player. He explained, "What is fundamental to a retention is that it's a matter of mutually agreeing. It's not a one-sided right that the franchise has; the player has to consider various factors and agree."
He further elaborated that when an agreement fails to materialize—possibly due to financial considerations or a player's desire to assess their market worth—the decision-making can shift. Mysore noted, "Somewhere along the line, if that agreement doesn't happen because of factors like money or someone wants to test their value, then the decision is influenced."
Despite the personal rapport he shares with Iyer, Mysore acknowledged the batter's inclination to explore his options in the auction. "In this case, it so happened that he felt it was best, and we're always supportive of the players when it comes to going to the auction and testing their value," he stated.
With several franchises such as Punjab Kings (PBKS), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) actively seeking new leadership, Iyer is expected to attract significant interest in the upcoming mega auction. His leadership skills, combined with his impressive performance, could make him a hot commodity as teams look to bolster their squads for the next season.
