NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made unexpected decisions during the IPL retentions, releasing their IPL-winning skipper Shreyas Iyer. The franchise also released Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, whom they had acquired for Rs 24.75 crores at the IPL 2024 auction, setting an IPL record for the highest-paid player.
The franchise has retained Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh ahead of the IPL 2025 Auction.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph about his release from KKR before IPL 2025, Starc expressed his dissatisfaction about the lack of communication.
"I still haven't heard from them," Starc revealed to The Daily Telegraph.
"It is what it is, that's franchise cricket, so all barring the Hyderabad boys (Pat Cummins and Travis Head) will be in the auction."
Despite an average season overall, Starc contributed significantly to KKR's championship victory, earning a Man of the Match award with figures of 2/14. His total tally for the season stood at 17 wickets from 13 matches.
The release of Australian players extended beyond Starc, with notable names such as David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, and Mitch Marsh also entering the auction pool.
Sunrisers Hyderabad retained only two Australian cricketers - Travis Head and Pat Cummins.
