Shreyas Iyer Set to Leave KKR Amid Contract Negotiations

Shreyas Iyer appears to be on his way out of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), with indications that he will not be included in the team’s retention list to be submitted to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later today. The negotiations between Iyer and KKR’s management have been challenging, leading the defending champions to seemingly abandon their captain.

While KKR has the option to utilize the Right to Match (RTM) card during the upcoming auction, it seems increasingly likely that Iyer will not return for the next season. His potential as a captain in the IPL is recognized, especially following KKR's championship victory last season. There are rumors that Iyer has caught the attention of several franchises looking for leadership options.

Reports suggest that Iyer is seeking a substantial salary, which could be complicating his negotiations. While players are entitled to value their experience and past performances, discussions often hinge on factors such as fitness, recent form, and current standing in international cricket. Iyer’s valuation is particularly scrutinized in the data-driven environment of the IPL.

Currently, he is earning INR 12.25 crore, the amount he was bought for by KKR in the 2022 auction. During that season, he scored 401 runs in 14 matches at an average of 30.85. In the following season, he scored 50 runs less, maintaining an average of 39 largely due to five not-out innings. Notably, he missed the 2023 season due to a recurring back injury that required surgery. Across nine IPL seasons and 115 matches, he has accumulated 3,127 runs at an average of 32.24 and a strike rate of 127.48. Currently, he does not hold a central contract with the BCCI and is out of the Indian national team, having fallen out of favor with selectors.

As the retention deadline approaches, teams are grappling with ethical questions regarding discussions with players still under contract, an issue raised to the BCCI’s attention. It is believed that player agents are playing a significant role in facilitating negotiations behind the scenes, discussing potentially astronomical salaries.

The unpredictability of the auction dynamics raises questions about how assured players can be of a high bid. The new RTM rule allows franchises to match a player’s bid up to a pre-agreed amount if they choose to exercise the RTM option. However, if a team opts not to use it, a player could end up receiving significantly less than expected.

For instance, if a player enters the auction with an expected value of INR 25 crore, but bidding closes at INR 15 crore, the original franchise can only raise the bid to INR 25 crore if they decide to use the RTM. Without that option, the player might only secure the lower INR 15 crore.

With ten teams each having six RTM options, the upcoming auction could see a flurry of activity, with at least 25 RTM options potentially in play. Yet, the risk remains that promises made during pre-bid negotiations may not materialize, leading to uncertainty for many players, including Iyer.