Aakash Chopra & Shreyas Iyer. Pic Credits: X

IPL 2025 : Aakash Chopra Accuses Shreyas Iyer Of Lying About His KKR ‘Retention Talk’ Remark

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Aakash Chopra has contradicted Shreyas Iyer’s claim that there was not enough communication between him and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) which led to the title-winning skipper’s release from the franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.

Shreyas Iyer , in an interview with Indian Express, said he loved his time at KKR but was left ‘perplexed’ when the team didn’t make a ‘concrete effort’ to speak about retention for months. He said the ‘lack of communication’ led the parties to ‘mutually’ part ways. Punjab Kings signed him for a record fee of Rs. 26.75 crore.

The star India National Cricket Team batter Shreyas Iyer  has said that his next big goal is to win the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy with the Punjab Kings (PBKS). Shreyas Iyer stated that he is ‘super excited’ to be a part of Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and added that he is aiming to end the title drought of the franchise.

Shreyas Iyer, likely captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS), aims to extend his sensational trophy-winning run in 2025 and secure the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 title for the franchise. PBKS acquired Shreyas Iyer for a whopping Rs 26.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction after the batter led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL title in 2024.

Shreyas Iyer acquired by PBKS for INR 26.75 crore

Shreyas Iyer guided the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third title in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. However, he was released by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.

It was expected that he would be bought by the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the auction, but that didn’t happen and the Punjab Kings acquired his services for a whopping INR 26.75 crore.

PBKS entered the mega auction with the biggest purse, and they built the squad from scratch. With new head coach Ricky Ponting at the helm, they managed to build a decent squad.

Ponting and Iyer share a great bond, and the duo took Delhi Capitals (DC) to the Indian Premier League (IPL) final in 2020, where they unfortunately lost to the Mumbai Indians (MI).

Talking more about other major acquisitions of Punjab Kings, the franchise also roped in Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal for INR 18 crore each.

Former India batter Aakash Chopra has now contradicted Iyer, saying there were discussions between Shreyas Iyer and KKR. However, neither party was able to find common ground.

Aakash Chopra Accuses Shreyas Iyer Of Lying About His KKR ‘Retention Talk’ Remark

Aakash Chopra also stuck his neck out, saying he could confirm that Shreyas Iyer and KKR discussed the matter, and in the end, it all boiled down to their lack of agreement.

“Now you start wondering. Let’s look at the past of KKR. You may like or dislike franchises. KKR have tried to maintain their core. Andre Russell or Sunil Narine have always been with KKR. The franchise bought Venkatesh Iyer in the auction when they were not able to retain him. This is a franchise that invests in relationships,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“Shreyas Iyer was the captain. He should have been in the original scheme of things. KKR did not speak to him, he has said this in an interview. I can now confirm there were discussions between KKR and Shreyas Iyer. They had a long chat. There was no agreement. That’s a separate issue,” he added.

Aakash Chopra also alleged that the 30-year-old Shreyas Iyer had some apprehensions about where he might go to, in the IPL auction.

“I am not going to spell it out. Shreyas had some apprehensions about how it goes in the auction, ‘if I end up somewhere, then what will happen’. It is interesting what has happened. Sometimes you start thinking, ‘karma is real yaar’, you never know,” he said.

I can confirm the discussions did take place. However, Shreyas says there were no discussions. There is some discrepancy. I can confirm there were talks. I, too, have my sources,” Aakash Chopra added.

Earlier, Shreyas Iyer, who will lead Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, said he absolutely loved his time in Kolkata. However, he was left “perplexed” when the franchise did not retain him.

Speaking to the Indian Express at Idea Exchange:

“Certainly, I had a fantastic time winning the championship at KKR. The fan following was outstanding, they were electrifying in the stadium and I loved every moment I spent there. So obviously, we had a conversation straight after the IPL championship.”

“But for a few months, there was a layover and no concrete effort in having a retention talk. I was perplexed about what’s happening. So, because of a lack of communication, we came to a situation where we parted ways, mutually. And that’s the long and short of it,” he added.

Shreyas Iyer had a trophy-full 2024 as he won the IPL, the Ranji Trophy, the Irani Cup and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Now, he was recently announced as PBKS’ captain and will have the huge task to lead one of the most unsuccessful franchises in the IPL close to its first title.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: “Side Arm Specialists In India Need To Work Hard To Prepare Batters For Tough Times”- Abhishek Jain Gives His Invaluable Insights

 

 


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