Shreyas Iyer was one of the most-talked-about players in the IPL retention process. So was Andre Russell. And Phil Salt. Why did KKR not retain Iyer? Why did they pay the maximum for Rinku Singh – more than for Sunil Narine and Russell? Were they not in touch with Iyer, as some reports claimed? Did Iyer ask for an exorbitant amount of money as some others have suggested?
The man to answer each of these questions was Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR. In his first interview since the process ended, Mysore answered all the tough questions.
Excerpts from the conversation:
Boria: Why did you not retain Shreyas Iyer? He was your skipper. He led you to the title. So why not retain him?
Venky Mysore: Shreyas Iyer was the first name in our retention list. However, the retention process isn’t a one-way street. It is not just about the franchise. It is also about the player wanting to be retained, to continue with the franchise. Of course Shreyas was the first name in our list. He was the skipper. That’s why we got him in 2022. Even when he was injured, we had made it clear that the captaincy was there for him to take back. So you can very well understand. However, there are often things that you don’t control. If a player wants to test his market value, and the auction is the best marketplace to do that, it is always fair to let him to do so. That’s what we at KKR have always believed in, and have backed our players. At a personal level, I share a very good rapport with Shreyas, but it is also true he should have the freedom to decide.
Boria: So, clearly you are telling me it was his call. Do you feel let down or disappointed by this? After what KKR has done, even waiting for him to recover and captain the team, do you feel hard done by?
Venky Mysore: These are harsh words. I don’t think we should look at it that way. Rather, we should all accept that things did not work out. Despite the best of intentions at times, things happen and that’s how it is. This is how things operate at times, and you need to accept that and move on.
Boria: Tell me the Andre Russell story. Even we, and I will put my hand up here, had heard from strong sources that you were considering releasing Russell. Clearly, that wasn’t the case. Was there any doubt on Russell?
Venky Mysore: Sunil Narine has been playing for us for more than a decade. Andre is playing for us for close to a decade. They play for all our other franchises as well, and have won many titles with us. They have both won many MVPs in the IPL. So the truth is it was a no-brainer that both will be retained. It is also about the brand – they are identified with the purple and gold. The fans love them both. And their contributions speak for themselves. So there was never any debate over retaining them. And that’s why we did not react. Even when Andre had the issue with WADA, we had a contract ready for him. He says that very fondly. You will see some of these players play for the purple and gold for as long as they play. That’s how it is.
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Here is @VenkyMysore @KKRiders on Shreyas Iyer.
“He was number 1 in our retention list”.
What happened then? Full intrw 1130am tomorrow. @RevSportzGlobal @rohitjuglan @CricSubhayan @shamik100 @KKR_Co @KkrKaravan @KnightsVibe @KnightClub_KKR @KKRUniverse pic.twitter.com/si3hoCxdsh
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) November 1, 2024
Boria: Loyalty. That’s how a brand is built.
Venky Mysore: (Jumps in). In fact, I will even tell you we did not want a mega auction. Why should we? Why should it be that we have to leave more than two-thirds of our squad? Literally, three-fourths. I am part of this system and yet it takes me three to four games every season to figure out who is playing for who. Think about the fans. How will loyalty be built? We had suggested to the BCCI that there should be a mini-auction and not a mega auction, for that’s how you build brands and create loyalty. When fans scream ‘Andre! Andre!’ or ‘Rinku, Rinku!’, you know they are doing so because they identify with these players. It is essential we have these players with us. With the mega auction, you are forced to leave three-fourths of your squad and that’s why we were opposed to it.
Boria: You mentioned Rinku Singh. How come you are paying him the maximum money? More than Sunil or Andre?
Venky Mysore: There is nothing really to read into it. Rather, think of his story. He came to us for 55 lakhs. Then went up to 65 lakhs. Now, he is one of the most-loved cricketers and all of 70,000 fans chant his name. He is a national team player and deserves every bit of it. These are stories we are proud of, and it was essential we recognise his growth and celebrate that.
Boria: Who are the players you had the most difficulty releasing? Phil Salt is one name that comes to mind. Mitch Starc.
Venky Mysore: We wanted to retain at least eight to nine players. You also need to mention Vaibhav Arora. Think how he got us important wickets in the play-off stages – semi- final, final. His contributions can never be forgotten. That’s what I am saying, you can’t just leave these players who have been with you. But then, rules are rules and you need to function within them. It isn’t ideal, but it is as it is.
Boria: Finally, you have lost half your coaching staff – Gautam [Gambhir], Abhishek [Nayar] and Ryan [ten Doeschate] – to the Indian team.
Venky Mysore: And not the first time. Some say this is a feather in our cap, and I tell them we don’t need such feathers anymore. But then, we have always encouraged them to grow and will never stand in the way of growth in their careers. We still have a very strong group in Chandru Pandit, Bharath Arun and Carl Crowe, and have also identified a fielding coach. We will make up for sure. There is nothing to worry.
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