KKR Uncertain on Retaining Nitish Rana Ahead of IPL 2025 Mega Auction

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Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) batter Nitish Rana is hopeful of being retained by the franchise ahead of the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) mega-auctions. Despite being a key player for KKR since 2018, Rana revealed that he is yet to receive any official communication regarding his future with the team.

After clinching the 2024 IPL title in commanding fashion, KKR faces a challenging task of deciding which players to retain. The team can retain or reacquire up to six players, using a combination of direct retentions or utilizing the Right to Match (RTM) card during the auctions. 

As one of KKR’s most consistent performers over the years, Nitish Rana is hopeful that his services will be valued by the franchise.

“I’ve been with KKR for the last seven years, but whether I stay or not is up to the management,” Rana shared in a recent interview with the Times of India. “I haven’t received any calls yet. I’ve contributed runs consistently, and if they see me as an asset, they will retain me. I want to continue playing for KKR.”

Nitish Rana’s Contributions to KKR

Since joining the Kolkata-based team in 2018, Rana has been a reliable top-order batsman. Throughout his stint, he has consistently scored over 300 runs each season, except for 2024 when injuries limited his participation. In the 2024 season, he only managed to play two games, scoring 42 runs at a strike rate of 123.53. 

Despite this minor blow, Rana’s performance over the years has been instrumental to KKR’s campaigns. Notably, in the 2023 season, he stepped up to lead the team when regular captain Shreyas Iyer was injured. However, under his leadership, KKR struggled and finished seventh in the points table.

Waiting for KKR’s Next Move

With the deadline for team retentions set for October 31, 5 PM IST, KKR is expected to announce their retained players soon. Whether Nitish Rana will continue his journey with the franchise remains to be seen, but his track record and loyalty to KKR make him a strong contender for retention.

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