Shreyas Iyer recently opened up about his departure from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after leading the team to their first IPL title in 10 years in the 2024 season. Despite expectations that he would be retained, KKR released him before the mega auction last November, citing a lack of communication. This decision left Iyer feeling perplexed, as he had believed he would be retained following discussions right after the IPL championship.
After missing the 2023 season due to a back injury, Iyer returned to KKR the following year and, with mentor Gautam Gambhir, guided the team to their third title. However, the lack of communication from KKR regarding his retention led to his departure. Despite feeling disappointed by the lack of communication until the final week before the retention deadline, Iyer ultimately decided to part ways with the franchise.
During the auction, Iyer became the costliest player in IPL history when Punjab Kings acquired him for INR 26.75 crore, before Rishabh Pant surpassed him with a bigger deal. Reflecting on the auction, Iyer expressed his surprise at the intense competition for him and admitted to shutting himself off during the bidding process.
Overall, Iyer’s departure from KKR was attributed to the breakdown in communication between him and the franchise. Despite the disappointment, he is now focused on his new chapter with Punjab Kings and remains grateful for the time he spent at KKR, where he enjoyed success and a strong connection with the fans.
Follow Franchise Cricket for more IPL news.
