There have been a plethora of discussions going on regarding the IPL mega auctions and which franchises will break their sweat over retaining which top player in their squad as the deadline inches closer with time. The reigning champions of the Indian Premier League, the Kolkata Knight Riders' strategy was something which has been deliberated a great deal.
In a recent discussion, former India cricketer, Parthiv Patel, discussed the problem of plenty encountered by KKR and passed a verdict that they would want to retain as many players as possible. Patel pointed how that the Kolkata squad was quite tar studded and that the team will try to retain as many players as possible among them. Hence he believes that KKR have a strong core and they will most likely stick to it at all cost. Furthermore, Parthiv also indicated that KKR might have to place either of Salt or Rana into the auction, but was confident that the IPL 2024 winners would end up with a robust roster.
"KKR faces tough decisions with this squad. Phil Salt has been a standout performer, even though he didn't play in the knockout rounds. Together with Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, and even Venkatesh Iyer - another retained player - they've built a very strong squad. That's why they'll aim to retain as many players as possible," Parthiv was quoted as saying in a JioCinema release.
"It may come down to either Phil Salt or Harshit Rana for the auction, which will be a tough call for KKR. I anticipate extended discussions as reaching a consensus may be challenging. But having this type of 'problem' - choosing among strong options - is a positive. No matter the outcome, KKR will end up with a solid squad," he continued.
Also Read: Reports: Kolkata Knight Riders set to release Andre Russell, Shreyas Iyer
He manages pressure well and has truly earned his retention spot: Parthiv
Besides, Parthiv Patel also predicted Rinku to reap immensely from the retention process, and explained as to why the power-hitter deserved his place on the side. He specifically pointed that batter's impeccable consistency over the years with KKR. Moreover, he also proved his mettle in the international arena while playing for Team India.
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"Rinku Singh stands to gain significantly from these retention choices. Without a doubt, he deserves it - he's been consistently impressive for three years, initially signing for around 70-75 lakhs, and has now proven his skill on the international stage. He manages pressure well and has truly earned his retention spot," Patel concluded.
The three-time champions are set to release Shreyas Iyer after failed salary negotiations with the franchise, according to reports. This implies that KKR would be in search of a new skipper come the mega auction.
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