Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) entered the IPL 2024 auction with a large purse of ₹32.7 crore after releasing the highest number of players ahead of the season. With a revamped management and a change in captaincy, KKR aimed for a fresh start while retaining a core group of players to build around.

Players Retained by KKR in IPL 2024: KKR retained 12 players for IPL 2024, including key names such as Shreyas Iyer, who missed IPL 2023 due to injury, and star all-rounder Andre Russell. They also held onto emerging talents like Harshit Rana, who was their second-highest wicket-taker in the previous season.

• Shreyas Iyer (Batter) – ₹12.25 crore
• Nitish Rana (All-rounder) – ₹8 crore
• Rinku Singh (Batter) – ₹55 lakh
• Venkatesh Iyer (All-rounder) – ₹8 crore
• Sunil Narine (All-rounder) – ₹6 crore
• Varun Chakravarthy (Bowler) – ₹8 crore
• Suyash Sharma (Bowler) – ₹20 lakh
• Andre Russell (All-rounder) – ₹12 crore
• Jason Roy (Batter) – ₹2.8 crore
• Anukul Roy (Spinner) – ₹20 lakh
• Vaibhav Arora (Bowler) – ₹60 lakh
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicket-keeper) – ₹50 lakh
• Harshit Rana (Bowler) – ₹20 lakh

Players Released by KKR in IPL 2024: KKR released a number of players ahead of the 2024 season, including seasoned cricketers like Tim Southee, Shakib Al Hasan, and Umesh Yadav, signaling a shift in team dynamics.

• Tim Southee (Bowler)
• Lockie Ferguson (Bowler)
• Litton Das (Wicket-keeper batter)
• Kulwant Khejroliya (Bowler)
• Shakib Al Hasan (All-rounder)
• Umesh Yadav (Bowler)
• Mandeep Singh (Batter)
• Narayan Jagadeesan (Wicket-keeper batter)
• David Weise (All-rounder)
• Johnson Charles (Wicket-keeper batter)
• Aarya Desai (Bowler)
• Shardul Thakur (All-rounder)

KKR’s Auction Purchases for IPL 2024: KKR made notable acquisitions during the IPL 2024 auction, including the high-profile signing of Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc for ₹24.75 crore. They also brought in players like KS Bharat, Chetan Sakariya, and Manish Pandey at affordable prices.

• KS Bharat – ₹50 lakh
• Chetan Sakariya – ₹50 lakh
• Mitchell Starc – ₹24.75 crore
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi – ₹20 lakh
• Ramandeep Singh – ₹20 lakh
• Sherfane Rutherford – ₹1.5 crore
• Manish Pandey – ₹50 lakh
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman – ₹2 crore
• Gus Atkinson – ₹1 crore
• Sakib Hussain – ₹20 lakh

KKR’s strategy for IPL 2024 focuses on a balance between retaining key performers and integrating fresh talent to maintain their competitiveness.

In a significant development for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction, the ten teams participating in the league are likely to be permitted to retain up to five players and use one right-to-match (RTM) card. According to sources, this policy is expected to be finalized soon as part of the retention rules for the 2025 season.

Unclear Details on Retentions

While the proposal is being considered, several details are yet to be confirmed. It remains unclear how many Indian players can be retained in the five slots or whether there will be a limit on overseas players. Additionally, the retention slabs, which dictate the amount deducted from a team’s purse for each retained player, are also yet to be announced.

Overall Purse Size

Though the exact overall purse for the 2025 auction is yet to be confirmed, it is expected to range between INR 115-120 crore. This would mark an increase from previous years, giving teams a larger budget to structure their squads and strategize for the auction.

The final decision on these policies is expected soon, providing clarity to franchises as they begin to plan for the 2025 season and the upcoming mega auction.

The IPL Governing Council (GC) meeting in Bengaluru faced an unexpected delay due to a bomb threat received on September 28. Originally scheduled for 11:30 AM, the meeting was pushed back by 7 hours as a precaution. The threat was reported at the Taj West End Hotel via email, prompting immediate action by the authorities. Upon inspection, no dangerous items were found on the premises. Although the IPL GC was to take place at the Four Seasons Hotel, about 6 kilometers away, the meeting was delayed as a safety measure.

The IPL GC consists of six members, including IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, and Treasurer Ashish Shelar, who were expected to attend. The BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) is also set to take place on September 29 at the Four Seasons, with other key figures in Indian cricket expected to be present.

IPL GC Agenda

The main topics on the agenda for the IPL GC are the 2025 retention rules and details of the mega auction. It is likely that teams will be permitted to retain at least 5 or possibly 6 players, but the use of Right to Match (RTM) cards remains uncertain. Reports are mixed on whether RTMs will be part of the process.

The venue and timing for the mega auction are also up for discussion. The auction is expected to take place between mid-to-end of November, likely outside India, with Dubai, Doha, and Saudi Arabia being considered as potential locations.

BCCI AGM Points

The BCCI AGM has 18 agenda points, with discussions including appointing a new representative to the ICC. Jay Shah has held this role in the past, but with his move to become ICC Chairman in December, a new representative may be appointed. Since the AGM is happening in the hometown of BCCI President Roger Binny, he could take on this role.

One notable absence from the agenda is the discussion on Jay Shah’s replacement as BCCI Secretary.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council is expected to announce new retention rules soon as they meet today. The meeting, scheduled for Saturday (September 28) at 6:30 PM at the new National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, could lead to a formal decision within 24 hours.

The decision to hold the meeting was last-minute, with notices sent to members just the previous evening. The retention policy discussion is a key agenda item, but there is a possibility that any major decisions may be presented to the general body, which will meet in Bengaluru on Sunday before they are made public.

Alongside retention policies, the Governing Council is also expected to discuss the timing and venue of the mega-auction. While November is the expected month for the auction, there is speculation it may be held in a Gulf city, with Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh as a potential host if approved by the council.

There is ongoing speculation regarding the number of player retentions allowed, ranging from 2 to 8. The BCCI is considering a middle-ground approach, likely allowing 5-6 retentions, including the Right to Match (RTM) option.

A meeting between BCCI officials and IPL team owners took place in late July to gather feedback on retention rules and other league matters.

The future of MS Dhoni’s IPL career continues to be a major topic of discussion. As fans eagerly wait for any official word on whether he will retire from the IPL, speculation is growing about what lies ahead for the cricketing legend.

Suresh Raina, a close friend and former teammate, recently expressed his hopes that Dhoni will consider playing in the Legends League Cricket (LLC) after his IPL retirement. During an event for the upcoming LLC season, Raina shared that he would love to see Dhoni in the league, although he mentioned that any talks about this would likely be between Dhoni and the LLC organizers. Raina, who has been a prominent player in the LLC, said that only time will tell how many more years Dhoni will continue in the IPL.

Dhoni has been a cornerstone of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and there’s still uncertainty about his future with the team. However, CSK has reassured fans that Dhoni’s decision to stay or retire rests entirely with him. Despite the ongoing debates, his fans are hopeful that he will continue to play in the IPL for at least one more season.

As for the Legends League Cricket, the third edition is scheduled to start on September 20. The league will feature some of the game’s most iconic players, and Raina, who will lead one of the teams, is certainly excited about the prospect of his longtime teammate joining him on the field again.

Former Australian captain Steve Smith is set to make a return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a three-year hiatus. Smith, who has been out of the IPL spotlight after going unsold in recent auctions, has now confirmed that he will be putting his name in the upcoming mega auction later this year.

Smith’s Desire to Return

• Smith’s decision to return to the IPL comes after his impressive performance in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024, where he reignited his passion for franchise cricket.
• The Australian batting star made his IPL debut in 2010 and has played for several franchises, including Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK), Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Rising Pune Supergiant (RPSG).
• “I’d love to be part of the IPL once again. I’ll be putting my name in the auction,” Smith told CODE Sports.

IPL Journey So Far

• Matches Played: 103
• Total Runs: 2485
• Centuries: 1
• Fifties: 11
• Smith’s last IPL appearance was in 2021, where he struggled to find form, scoring just 152 runs from 8 games.

Recent Performance

Smith’s recent stint with the Washington Freedom team in MLC 2024 saw him leading the team to their first title win and finishing as the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament. This performance has sparked his interest in returning to the IPL and making a mark once again.

Summary Table

Rishabh Pant, currently the third-highest run-scorer and fourth-most dismissals as a wicketkeeper in IPL history, faces an uncertain future with the Delhi Capitals (DC). Recent reports suggest that the DC management is unhappy with Pant’s captaincy and may not retain him for the IPL 2025 season.

The news follows Suryakumar Yadav’s recent appointment as India’s new T20I captain, replacing Hardik Pandya. Amid these developments, Sourav Ganguly, who is expected to become DC’s new head coach, is reportedly keen on keeping Pant. However, should Pant leave, he might join the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a move that has sparked considerable interest.

CSK, led by the legendary MS Dhoni, could be looking for a new wicketkeeper and leader as Dhoni’s physical struggles and reduced involvement in recent seasons have raised questions about his future. Pant, at 26, is seen as a strong candidate to step into Dhoni’s shoes, potentially offering CSK a dynamic and experienced replacement.

With Dhoni possibly nearing the end of his career, Pant’s potential arrival could be a fitting transition for the Yellow Army.

The IPL 2024 season looms ahead, igniting enthusiasm among cricket enthusiasts globally. Set to kick off on March 22, the tournament’s opening match between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) promises an exhilarating start. While the IPL organizers have revealed the schedule for the initial 17 days, comprising 21 thrilling matches, the full fixture list awaits confirmation due to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in India. Nonetheless, anticipation runs high as fans eagerly await another action-packed season of the Indian Premier League.

Which IPL match is on April 1?

On Monday, April 1st, Mumbai Indians (MI) will face Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Mumbai at 7:30 PM.

The IPL 2024 season is on the horizon, sparking excitement among cricket fans worldwide. With the tournament scheduled to commence on March 22, the opening clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) sets the stage for a thrilling start. Recently, the IPL organisers unveiled the schedule for the first 17 days, featuring 21 exhilarating matches. However, the complete fixture list is pending due to the impending Lok Sabha elections in India. Nonetheless, anticipation is high as cricket enthusiasts eagerly await another action-packed season of the Indian Premier League.

Which IPL match is on March 22?

On March 22, the Chennai Super Kings will face the Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai.