After retaining their core players, Kolkata Knight Riders made smart choices in the IPL 2025 mega auction, strategically filling gaps in their squad. The franchise splurged on young all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer and made some quality value buys, while also securing a like-for-like replacement for Mitchell Starc. With a strong team in place, KKR is well-positioned for another successful season under a new captain.
After a disappointing performance in the previous season, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) underwent a significant overhaul during the IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise retained some of their key players, including Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Pat Cummins, but also made some shrewd acquisitions to address their weaknesses.
Key Acquisitions
KKR's top pick in the auction was Venkatesh Iyer, the young all-rounder who impressed in the previous edition of the tournament. Iyer can provide both batting and bowling depth to the side, offering flexibility and balance to the lineup.
The franchise also made a wise move by signing Sam Curran, the English all-rounder who has proven his worth in both international and franchise cricket. Curran's ability to swing the ball and hit big shots will be valuable to KKR.
In search of a replacement for Mitchell Starc, KKR acquired Lockie Ferguson, the Kiwi fast bowler known for his pace and accuracy. Ferguson will likely lead the pace attack alongside Cummins and Tim Southee.
Other Noteworthy Additions
Besides their major signings, KKR also made some value-for-money purchases. They secured the services of opener Ajinkya Rahane, who brings experience and stability to the top order.
Rinku Singh, the uncapped batsman, was another notable addition. Singh has performed consistently in domestic cricket and could provide KKR with a reliable run-scorer in the middle order.
Outlook for IPL 2025
With a strong team in place, KKR is well-positioned for another successful season. The franchise has addressed their weaknesses and assembled a balanced squad with depth in all departments.
Under the new captaincy of Venkatesh Iyer, KKR will be aiming to return to their glory days and challenge for the IPL title once again.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is the captain of KKR in IPL 2025?
2. Who is the top pick of KKR in the IPL 2025 mega auction?
3. Who replaced Mitchell Starc in the KKR squad?
4. What is the role of Ajinkya Rahane in the KKR team?
5. Which uncapped player has been signed by KKR for IPL 2025?
After a disappointing spell at Manchester United, Erik ten Hag's first game in charge of Bayer Leverkusen ended in a humiliating 5-1 loss against Flamengo's Under-20s in a pre-season friendly. Despite fielding a strong team, Leverkusen struggled against their young opponents, with Lorran and Matheus Goncalves scoring early on. Though Leverkusen managed to get a late consolation goal, it was not enough to rescue them from their defeat.
As Liverpool look to add more firepower to their already formidable attack, they have shifted their focus from Newcastle's Alexander Isak to Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike. With personal terms agreed, all that's left is for the Reds to strike a deal with Frankfurt, who value the French striker at £85m. Meanwhile, Arsenal is in negotiations with Sporting Lisbon for Viktor Gyokeres and have confirmed the arrival of Noni Madueke from Chelsea for £52m. Manchester United's target Bryan Mbeumo is closer to a move as Ruben Amorim's side have accepted a guaranteed £65m bid. And Aston Villa's Enzo Barrenechea is off on a season-long loan to Benfica with an option to buy. Stay tuned to Mirror Football for more transfer updates.
After being handed a defeat by the AIFF's Competitions Committee, Inter Kashi received a vindicating ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a dispute over the registration of Mario Barco. The decision granted Inter Kashi the title of I-League champion for the 2024-25 season, marking the club's second successful appeal at the CAS this year. This follows a previous victory against Namdhari FC for fielding a suspended player, which awarded Inter Kashi three points.
The Gunners made their fourth signing of the summer, adding depth and quality to their attack with the 23-year-old English player. Madueke is the latest in a long line of players to move from Chelsea to Arsenal, joining the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Raheem Sterling. He had a successful career at Chelsea, scoring 20 goals in 92 games and helping the team win the Conference League and Club World Cup.
After nearly six weeks of negotiations, Manchester United have finally reached an agreement with Brentford for the transfer of Bryan Mbeumo. The deal is reportedly worth £71 million, with a portion of the fee to be paid in installments. Matheus Cunha, who recently joined United from Wolves, showed his support for the incoming player by liking Fabrizio Romano's post on Instagram. The Red Devils' persistence paid off, as their previous bids were rejected by Brentford before a breakthrough was finally reached.
Despite being asked about the rumors surrounding her relationship with NFL rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, USC women's basketball star JuJu Watkins stayed silent and chose to focus instead on her recovery from a recent ACL injury. However, fans have been buzzing for months about a possible romance between the two athletes, especially after Daniels was spotted dancing and celebrating with Watkins at her recent surprise birthday party. While neither have confirmed anything, the footage captured of them together has only fueled speculation.
Manchester United has submitted a third transfer bid for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo worth £65m plus £5m in add-ons. The club remains in talks with Brentford over the structure and conditions of the deal for the Cameroon international, after previous offers of £55m and £62.5m were rejected. Mbeumo has expressed his desire to move to Old Trafford, and Tottenham, who were also interested in the 23-year-old, have been ruled out of the race.
In a heartwarming exchange captured at the Dream UTT Juniors event, Indian Olympic table tennis star Sreeja Akula shares valuable insights and advice with rising teenage athlete Divyanshi Bhowmick. From discussing playing against top players, dealing with tough matches, and achieving their respective goals, this session showcased the bond between two generations of Indian table tennis players and the impact of Dream Sports Foundation's support on their careers.
Inter Kashi has been declared the champions of the I-League following a favourable CAS ruling in their appeal against AIFF's Appeal Committee's decision. The controversy arose over the registration of foreign player Mario Barco, who was initially registered before the start of the season but later re-registered twice after being injured and mutually terminated. This is the second time Inter Kashi has won against AIFF's decision, solidifying their well-deserved victory.
This article talks about the remarkable journey of Ishan Kishan, a talented cricketer from Patna, on the occasion of his 27th birthday. He has made a name for himself with his aggressive batting and exceptional wicketkeeping skills. From his humble beginnings in Jharkhand to representing the Indian team in all formats, Kishan has achieved great success and won the hearts of fans. On his birthday, he is hailed as a 'Rockstar' by his IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad and admired by fans as 'Bihar's Lion' and 'Hyderabad's Warrior'. With his passion and talent, Ishan is sure to achieve many more milestones and bring victories for Team India.