The KKR batter Nitish Rana talked about his status with the team before the much-anticipated IPL 2025 mega auction. He expressed uncertainty about being retained, even though he has performed well for KKR over the past seven years.
Rana has played for KKR for the last six years but the franchise may not keep him since they can only hold on to six players in the upcoming auction. This means KKR will have to make tough choices about their roster for the next season.
In an interview with the Times of India Nitish Rana shared his desire to stay with the KKR. The left-handed batter mentioned that he hasn’t received any official word from the team management regarding his future as they will decide on player retention for IPL 2025.
“I have been serving KKR for the past seven years. It’s not in my hands if I will be retained; it’s up to KKR management to decide,” Rana told TOI.
“I haven’t received any calls yet. I have scored runs for KKR every year, and if they consider me an asset, they will retain me. I want to play for KKR,” he added.
The 30-year-old joined KKR before the IPL 2018 season, scoring 2,199 runs in 90 matches with an average of 28.19 and a strike rate of 136.33. He made his debut for the Indian national team after a strong IPL season in 2021.
Rana became the captain of KKR in IPL 2023 when Shreyas Iyer got injured. Unfortunately the team struggled under his leadership, finishing seventh with only six wins out of 14 matches. Rana also missed most of the IPL 2024 season due to injury playing just two matches.
He has scored over 300 runs in every IPL season except for 2024 when he managed only 42 runs at a strike rate of 123.53. KKR has yet to announce their retention list with the deadline for player submissions to the BCCI set for October 31.
