Indian Premier League-winning KKR captain in 2024 will be a person of interest in the IPL 2025 mega auction after the Kolkata-based franchise decided not to retain him for the upcoming season.
Since debuting in the IPL with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2015, Iyer has made a huge impact across two franchises, scoring 3127 runs in 115 matches.
Reportedly, there were concerns that Shreyas Iyer would be unable to agree on a salary ahead of the retention deadline. As a result, KKR has used all its retention slots on other players to retain its core ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Now, Iyer enters the mega auction, searching for a new home. Given his skills and experience and after making a big statement with a double century in the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai, the 29-year-old is expected to spark a major bidding war, with franchises eager to bring him on board.
Here, we look at three teams – Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Punjab Kings – who are likely to make a strong bid for him in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
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RCB: Royal Challengers Bengaluru eyeing want a solid middle-order batter
With both Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell released, RCB will be looking for a batter who could prove handy in the middle-order as well as top order in T20 cricket.
RCB have retained Virat Kohli, who is likely to lead the side once again, along with Rajat Patidar and Iyer's arrival could be a massive boost for the team.
MORE: IPL 2025 mega auction: Full list of players retained by all teams
PBKS: Could Preity Zinta bring Shreyas Iyer to Punjab?
PBKS, with the highest budget of INR 110.50 crore at the auction, is also a strong contender for Shreyas Iyer. The 29-year-old is touted as one of the players to watch out for at the mega auction and could don the Punjab jersey, starting from 2025.
With Shikhar Dhawan retiring, PBKS needs a new captain. Shreyas Iyer fits the bill quite impeccably. He would also provide an experienced Indian batsman in the middle order, someone that the Punjabis have lacked in the previous seasons.
A Shreyas Iyer transfer to PBKS would mark his reunion with Ricky Ponting, their newly-appointed coach ahead of IPL 2025.
DC: Will DC make Shreyas Iyer their captain again?
Delhi Capitals could be in the market for a middle-order batter, after the release of Rishabh Pant into the mega auction roster. And to their rescue, could come their hero from the olden days, Shreyas Iyer.
Iyer has represented the national capital city for seven seasons straight, starting 2015. The Mumbai-born batter also led DC to their maiden IPL final appearance in 2020.
Having scored over 2300 runs for the franchise, Delhi management could be willing to pay big for Iyer to announce a potential comeback.
MORE: IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Which franchise will sign KL Rahul?
Can Kolkata Knight Riders use the RTM option?
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Iyer's IPL franchise from 2024, does not have the option to use any RTM card at the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. Having used all six available retention slots ahead of the auction, the defending champions do not have any RTM cards in their kitty.
The IPL 2025 mega auction would mark a new chapter in Shreyas Iyer's IPL journey. Whether he joins DC, RCB, PBKS, or any other team, Iyer is sure to bring his dynamic play skills to his new team.
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