KKR Faces Tough Retention Decisions After Winning Third IPL Title

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), led by Shreyas Iyer, clinched their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title with an impressive 8-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. As the team prepares for the IPL 2025 player retentions, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh expressed that KKR faces a challenging task in choosing who to retain or release, given their dominant performance in the last season. Harbhajan praised KKR's efforts and suggested the core group that should be retained to maintain their winning momentum.

Harbhajan specifically recommended retaining uncapped player Ramandeep Singh, who has shown promising performances in IPL 2024 and in domestic cricket. Sharing his insights in an interview with Star Sports, Harbhajan said, “KKR dominated the entire season, so it will be difficult for them to decide on retentions. With limited spots available, I believe Shreyas Iyer, Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh should be the main players to retain. Ramandeep Singh, given his strong recent form, would be my choice for the sixth player.” Harbhajan emphasized that Ramandeep has proven his abilities and would add significant depth to the squad.

In a significant coaching move, KKR appointed former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as their new mentor, succeeding Gautam Gambhir. Bravo, who retired from international cricket in 2021 and ended his IPL playing career last year, has recently transitioned into coaching roles. After serving as a bowling coach for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Afghanistan national team, Bravo now brings his expertise to KKR, marking his second coaching role in the IPL. This addition aims to strengthen KKR’s approach, drawing on Bravo's extensive experience in the league.

As the IPL 2025 season approaches, KKR’s management faces crucial decisions that will shape their lineup for the upcoming season, making it an exciting time for the franchise and its fans.