In a surprising turn of events at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Nitish Rana, a key player for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) since 2018, was not retained by the franchise. Instead, he was acquired by the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for INR 4.20 crore. This move has sparked considerable discussion among fans and analysts, especially after Rana’s wife, Saachi Marwah, took to social media to express her disappointment.
SOURCE : ZEE
Rana, who has been a consistent performer for KKR, contributing significantly to the team’s success over the years, found himself without a bid from his former team. Despite his contributions, including scoring 2,199 runs at a strike rate of 136.32 in 88 matches, KKR chose not to use their Right to Match (RTM) card to retain him2. This decision left many fans questioning the franchise’s strategy, especially given Rana’s pivotal role in the team.
Source:- bbc news
Saachi Marwah’s reaction to the auction snub was swift and pointed. She posted a cryptic message on social media, stating, “Loyalty is very expensive; not everyone can afford it”2. Her post quickly went viral, sparking debates about the importance of loyalty within IPL franchises and the treatment of long-serving players.
Adding to the drama, Rana himself shared a picture on Instagram wearing a pink shirt, symbolizing his new association with the Rajasthan Royals. He captioned the image, “Royal-ty is Pink!”2. Both Rana and his wife have since unfollowed KKR on Instagram, further suggesting a strained relationship with the franchise.
Rana’s move to RR comes with a significant pay cut, as his new contract is worth INR 4.20 crore, almost half of his previous INR 8 crore annual salary with KKR2. Despite the reduced salary, Rana remains optimistic about his future with RR, a team that has also made headlines for acquiring Jofra Archer for INR 12.50 crore.
The IPL 2025 auction saw KKR prioritizing other players, most notably repurchasing Venkatesh Iyer for a staggering INR 23.75 crore, making him the third-most expensive player in the auction2. This move has only fueled speculation about the franchise’s approach to team-building and their decision to let go of a loyal player like Rana.
As the IPL 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Nitish Rana and his performance with the Rajasthan Royals. His departure from KKR marks the end of a seven-year association, and fans will be keen to see how he adapts to his new team and continues to contribute to the league.
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