“I don’t feel KKR will think about Mitchell Starc” – RP Singh on Kolkata Knight Riders’ potential retentions ahead of IPL 2025 auction

Former Indian fast bowler Rudra Pratap Singh reckons defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders might not consider Mitchell Starc for the potential retention ahead of the IPL auction. According to new retention rules released by the IPL governing council on Saturday, every franchise can retain a maximum of six players through retention or Right to Match card. 

Meanwhile, Starc was roped in a whooping amount of INR 24.75 crores in the IPL 2024 mini auction but he proved to be expensive throughout the season. The Australian scalped 17 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 26.11 and a high economy rate of 10.61.

“They will not have the temptation of Mitchell Starc, that’s what I feel, because even last year, he made an impact only in the big matches, and his recent performances have not been that good as well. So I don’t feel KKR will think about Mitchell Starc,” RP Singh said on Colors Cineplex.

Singh also feels KKR might not retain Nitish Rana as well. The left-hander scored 42 runs in two matches he played in IPL 2024.

“If I tell my five or six players here, Aakash bhai (Chopra) spoke about Nitish Rana but his recent performance has not been that good. He can be a good option as a left-handed batter but I don’t think they will go with him,” RP Singh observed.

Singh, who had a smooth bowling action, said KKR should retain their skipper Shreyas Iyer, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh. The former UP pacer wants KKR’s think tank to back Rinku Singh ahead of Venkatesh Iyer.

“The captain will remain with them. Along with Varun Chakaravarthy, they will have Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Rinku Singh. I will not leave Rinku Singh but I feel the franchise might be considering Venkatesh Iyer better,” he said.

“Both players are with them for a long time. I will go with Rinku Singh but the franchise might think differently. These are my players. Among the uncapped players, no special name is being seen, whom you can keep,” RP Singh added.

Venkatesh Iyer scored 370 runs in 13 innings of IPL 2024 whereas Rinku Singh didn’t get many opportunities as he batted lower down the order.