The IPL retention deadline is nearing thick and fast and rumours have already started to float around. All the focus will be on Kolkata Knight Riders as the defending IPL champions have a number of star players at their disposal.

BCCI already announced the retention rules ahead of the IPL 2025 season and all the IPL franchises are set to face some real selection headache. As per an IANS report, Shreyas Iyer’s KKR future is hanging over a thread as the IPL franchise is weighing all their possible options before taking a final call.

Iyer ended KKR’s prolonged title drought as he guided the Kolkata-based franchise to a third title last season. The three time IPL winning franchise has an abundance of talents in their ranks and the hierarchy might have to let go of some of the high profile names to balance out their squad.

The same report reveals Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Rinku Singh and Harshit Rana could be retained ahead of the retention deadline day. Harshit received an India call-up across all the formats but the player is yet to make his debut and hence he can be retained as an uncapped player. He picked up 19 wickets as KKR romped their way to the title.

Rinku didn’t have the best of IPL in 2024, but the youngster has been with KKR since 2018 and has an emotional bond with the team. Both Russell and Narine also have been a pivotal part of the setup and are all set to retain their place alongside Varun Chakaravarthy who headlined KKR’s campaign with 21 wickets.

If the current scenario remains, Iyer will enter the auction and there won’t be a dearth of suitors as various reports have linked him with multiple IPL teams over the last few days.

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