Shreyas Iyer’s Departure from KKR and Entry into Punjab Kings

By Gurlal Singh

Cricket Player who is writing about cricket now.

Posted: January 22, 2025
Last updated: February 24, 2025

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Shreyas Iyer, a prominent figure in Indian cricket, has recently been at the center of discussions following his departure from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and his subsequent acquisition by Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 mega auction. Iyer was a pivotal player in KKR’s successful IPL 2024 campaign but was surprisingly not retained by the franchise for the following season.

A key issue that emerged was Shreyas Iyer’s claim of a ‘lack of communication’ with KKR management before the retention deadline. This statement came after his notable contribution to KKR’s IPL title in 2024. Despite Iyer’s apprehension regarding his future in the league, he was not retained for the upcoming season, raising questions and speculations about the internal decisions of the franchise.

In response to Iyer’s claims, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra voiced a differing opinion. Chopra suggested that while conversations might have taken place, they possibly did not reach a concrete agreement. He highlighted that KKR likely made efforts to maintain the integrity of their team, possibly prioritizing their longstanding players like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine. This suggested that while communication issues could have arisen, strategic decisions leaned towards keeping KKR’s historical core intact.

Despite the uncertainties, the outcome for Shreyas Iyer turned positive during the IPL 2025 mega auction. The Punjab Kings seized the opportunity to enlist Iyer’s services with a significant bid of INR 26.75 crores, marking him as their captain for the upcoming tournament. This noteworthy acquisition reflects Punjab Kings’ strategic investment in Iyer’s leadership and cricketing prowess as they head into the new IPL season.

The transition of Shreyas Iyer from KKR to Punjab Kings embodies the dynamic nature of IPL team compositions and the intricate decisions behind player retention and auctions. As the IPL 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Iyer to see how he navigates his new role and contributes to his new team’s aspirations.