Shreyas Iyer Gautam Gambhir for KKR. Image Credits: X
The parting of Shreyas Iyer and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction remains one of the most discussed things amongst Indian Premier League fans. Shreyas Iyer has shown great captaincy skills, and his highest point came for KKR in IPL 2024.
Iyer ended Kolkata Knight Riders’ wait for another IPL title since 2014, as they defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024 final and lifted the trophy. Many expected that KKR would go over and beyond to keep Shreyas and retain him. However, to the surprise of many, KKR and Shreyas Iyer parted ways, and Iyer entered the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Shreyas Iyer’s legacy with KKR
Shreyas Iyer had played for Delhi Capitals till 2022, taking them into the IPL finals in 2020. He then moved to KKR after DC decided to go with Rishabh Pant as captain. Iyer then missed the IPL 2023 due to an injury, while KKR assured him that he would regain the captaincy on his return.
And KKR dominated the IPL 2024 season, with Shreyas Iyer leading from the front and ended up winning the IPL 2024 for the franchise. This win made KKR three-time IPL champions with wins in 2012, 2014, and 2024.
KKR CEO Venky Mysore’s reasoning behind releasing Shreyas Iyer
While it was highly expected that Shreyas Iyer would be retained by KKR, the franchise and the star cricketer reportedly didn’t work things out despite negotiations. Even KKR CEO Venky Mysore had spoken about the same in an interview with RevSportz.
“Shreyas Iyer was the first name in our retention list. However, the retention process isn’t a one-way street. It is not just about the franchise. It is also about the player wanting to be retained, to continue with the franchise. Of course, Shreyas was the first name in our list. He was the skipper. That’s why we got him in 2022.
However, there are often things that you don’t control. If a player wants to test his market value, and the auction is the best marketplace to do that, it is always fair to let him do so. That’s what we at KKR have always believed in and have backed our players. At a personal level, I share a very good rapport with Shreyas, but it is also true he should have the freedom to decide,” Mysore told Boria Majumdar.
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Ex-KKR coach Chandrakant Pandit shares his thoughts on Iyer being released by KKR
Chandrakant Pandit, the former head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), believes it was regrettable that the team decided not to keep Iyer before the IPL 2025 auction. The seasoned coach was a member of the IPL 2024 winning team, along with Shreyas and mentor Gautam Gambhir.
“Unfortunately, we missed him. Shreyas is a wonderful player who won the trophy for KKR as captain, and he has handled the team well. But sometimes, certain circumstances force you to leave such players. Because there are big strategies. Obviously, as a coach, when I was at KKR, I felt bad about that. Because it was not a purposeful thing, but it didn’t work for us.
I mean, it’s not only Shreyas, but I also think [Phil] Salt or other players when we talk about it. I would really want to appreciate the owners—Mr. Shah Rukh Khan, Mr. Jai Mehta, and Juhi Chawla—and CEO Venky Mysore. They were all very supportive,” Pandit said to RevSportz.
Shreyas and his success with Punjab Kings
Shreyas Iyer was the second most expensive player sold in the IPL 2025 auction, with Punjab Kings paying INR 26.75 crores for his services. Iyer didn’t let down his new team, and PBKS topped the points table in the season and played the final. They lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a close game but won the hearts.
Iyer led from the front, scoring 600+ runs in the season. The PBKS franchise is doing well in IPL 2026 as well, topping the charts with 5 wins from 6 games and 10 points.
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