Sun Nov 24 19:23:00 UTC 2024: ## KKR Splurges on Iyer, Acquires Key Players in IPL Auction Despite Roster Shakeup

**Kolkata, India** – The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), reigning IPL champions, have significantly reshaped their squad in the recent IPL auction. Despite retaining only six players and having no Right to Match (RTM) cards, KKR made a bold statement, shelling out a staggering ₹23.75 crore for Venkatesh Iyer, a player they let go in the retention process. The team also added Afghan batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz and South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock to their roster.

This year’s auction comes with a significant shift in the KKR landscape. Former mentor Gautam Gambhir is no longer associated with the team, and last year’s captain, Shreyas Iyer, was not retained. Despite these changes and a relatively smaller auction budget of ₹51 crore, KKR’s aggressive bidding demonstrates their commitment to building a competitive team for the upcoming season.

**Note:** The second half of the provided text, concerning the Sambhal Mosque dispute and resulting violence, is unrelated to the KKR news and has been excluded from this news article summary. It should be reported separately.

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