Former India captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble has criticised the player retention strategy of Kolkata Knight Riders, suggesting the franchise must learn to hold on to its key performers if it wants to remain a consistent title contender in the Indian Premier League.KKR lifted their third IPL title in 2024, but the squad underwent major changes soon after due to the mega auction. Under IPL rules, franchises were allowed to retain only six players through a mix of direct retentions and Right to Match (RTM) cards.

While KKR kept much of their core group intact, they parted ways with two crucial figures from their championship campaign — captain Shreyas Iyer and aggressive opener Phil Salt. Both players later went on to feature in the IPL 2025 final, with Iyer leading Punjab Kings and Salt opening the batting for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Speaking on JioHotstar’s show Out or Out of the Park, Anil Kumble expressed his disappointment with KKR’s decision.

“Two years ago, KKR won the IPL and lifted their third trophy,” Anil Kumble said. “Two important cogs in that wheel were Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt. Both played crucial roles in helping them win. But KKR let both of them go. There is no consistency from them in terms of player retention.”

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Kumble believes letting go of Iyer was particularly costly because it meant losing an IPL-winning captain. “KKR took the wrong decision by letting Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt leave. That has left them without an IPL-winning captain.” 

Veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane has since taken over leadership duties, bringing valuable experience to the role. However, Kumble pointed out that having a captain who has already won the IPL provides an added advantage in a tournament as competitive as the IPL.

“Yes, Ajinkya Rahane is an experienced campaigner. But he has not lifted the IPL title as captain. Having a skipper who has won the trophy gives you an advantage. KKR let go of that advantage.”

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Anil Kumble also praised Iyer’s leadership qualities, calling him an underrated captain who continues to prove himself. “Shreyas Iyer is certainly an underrated skipper,” he said. “The new franchise he joined had not played in the final in the last 10 years and in just his first season with the Punjab Kings, he took them to the final. I was not just impressed by his captaincy, but the way he led the team from the front. I think he is underrated, but an exceptional leader.”