Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have finalized their IPL 2025 squad. Their bold auction strategy stunned fans and experts alike. The franchise entered the mega auction in Jeddah with a ₹51 crore budget. Their aggressive bidding for star all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer stole the spotlight. By securing Iyer for ₹23.75 crores, KKR showed their intent to keep their core team for the next season.
Before the auction, KKR kept six key players: Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh. They spent ₹57 crores on retentions. But, the IPL salary cap rules limited them to ₹51 crores for new signings. However, the franchise has assembled a formidable squad within that constraint.
KKR’s Costliest Player in IPL 2025 Mega Auction
Venkatesh Iyer became KKR’s most expensive signing. The franchise outbid RCB in a heated auction. The ₹23.75 crores spent on Iyer shows KKR’s reliance on his great performances in recent seasons. His skills and match-winning performances made him a must-have for the Riders.
Full list of retained players:
| Player | Nation | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Rinku Singh | India | INR 13 crore |
| Sunil Narine | West Indies | INR 12 crore |
| Andre Russell | West Indies | INR 12 crore |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | India | INR 12 crore |
| Harshit Rana | India | INR 4 crore |
| Ramandeep Singh | India | INR 4 crore |
Players Bought by KKR in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction
Here is a list of players KKR acquired in the mega auction. It includes their roles and prices:
| Player | Nation | Role | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venkatesh Iyer | India | All-Rounder | 23.75 Crores |
| Quinton de Kock | South Africa | Wicket-Keeper | 3.60 crores |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | Wicket-Keeper | 2 Crores |
| Anrich Nortje | South Africa | Bowler | 6.50 crores |
| Angrish Rahuvanshi | India | Batter | 3 crores |
| Vaibhav Arora | India | Bowler | 1.80 crores |
| Mayank Markande | India | Bowler | 30 Lakhs |
| Rovman Powell | West Indies | All Rounder | 1.50 crores |
| Manish Pandey | India | Batter | 75 Lakh |
| Spencer Johnson | Australia | Bowler | 2 Crores |
| Ajinkya Rahane | India | Batter | 1.50 crores |
| Umran Malik | India | Bowler | 75 Lakh |
| Anukul Roy | India | All-Rounder | 40 Lakh |
| Moeen Ali | England | All-Rounder | 2 Crores |
| Luvnith Sisodia | India | Wicket-Keeper | 30 Lakh |
Full KKR Squad for IPL 2025
As the auction continues in Jeddah, here is the updated full squad of Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2025:
| Wicket-Keeper | Batter | All-Rounder | Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock ✈️ | Rinku Singh | Sunil Narine ✈️ | Harshit Rana |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz ✈️ | Ramandeep Singh | Andre Russell ✈️ | Varun Chakaravarthy |
| Luvnith Sisodia | Angrish Raghuvanshi | Venkatesh Iyer | Anrich Nortje ✈️ |
| Manish Pandey | Rovman Powell | Vaibhav Arora | |
| Ajinkya Rahane | Anukul Roy | Mayank Markande | |
| Moeen Ali | Spencer Johnson | ||
| Umran Malik |
Key Takeaways from KKR’s IPL 2025 Auction Strategy
KKR’s approach to the auction has been both bold and calculated. They aim to secure top talent while sticking to a tight budget. Spending nearly half their purse on one player shows a high regard for Iyer’s skills as a versatile leader.
The franchise has a core of experienced, winning players: Russell and Narine. This ensures continuity and balance.
Stay tuned for live updates on the IPL 2025 mega auction. We’ll cover all team rosters and key player signings.
