Tue Nov 26 17:16:21 UTC 2024: ## Nitish Rana’s Long-Standing KKR Loyalty Doesn’t Pay Off; Rajasthan Royals Snag Batter for ₹4.2 Crore

**Kolkata, India** – The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have parted ways with veteran batsman Nitish Rana after seven years, failing to retain him in the IPL 2025 mega auction. The decision has sparked controversy, with Rana’s wife, Saachi Marwah, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to express her disappointment, tweeting, “Loyalty is very expensive, not everyone can afford it.”

Rana, a key player for KKR, amassed 2,199 runs in 88 matches for the franchise, a strike rate of 136.32 and placing him fourth on their all-time run-scorers list. Despite his significant contribution, the team opted not to bid, instead investing heavily in other players. KKR spent a reported ₹23.75 crore on Venkatesh Iyer.

However, Rana’s skills weren’t overlooked. The Rajasthan Royals secured the left-handed batter for ₹4.2 crore, beating out competition from Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Rana initially joined KKR for ₹3.4 crore and was later re-signed for ₹8 crore at the IPL 2022 mega auction.

The KKR squad for IPL 2025 includes a mix of established players and new talent, notably Venkatesh Iyer. The franchise’s decision to let go of Rana, a popular and highly productive player, continues to generate debate amongst fans.

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