Kolkata Knight Riders are likely to keep their main players. However, after a disappointing IPL 2025, they should make some changes to their current roster in the upcoming IPL Auction 2026.
The three-time Indian Premier League champions finished 8th last season, even after bringing in experienced Ajinkya Rahane as their new captain. Despite their poor performance, they will have opportunities to retain some regular foreign players and local talents like Angkrish Raghuvanshi, while also looking toward the future.
Check here for the possible Kolkata Knight Riders player retention strategies ahead of IPL 2026 and their plans for releasing players to explore new options.
KKR Squad in IPL 2025
The biggest surprise from KKR management was letting their title-winning captain, Shreyas Iyer, leave the team before the mega auction ahead of the last season. They signed Ajinkya Rahaneand made him the captain for the season.
Take a look at how KKR finalized its squad for IPL 2025.
Squad
Ajinkya Rahane(c), Rinku Singh, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Luvnith Sisodia, Venkatesh Iyer, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali, Ramandeep Singh, Anrich Nortje, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markande, Spencer Johnson, Shivam Shukla, Harshit Rana, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Chetan Sakariya
For IPL 2025, KKR retained several key players from their previous core, including Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Venkatesh Iyer. Their retention strategy focused on consistency and spin strength. They also backed young talent like Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Harshit Rana.
KKR Player Retentions 2026
Kolkata Knight Riders plan to make significant purchases in the IPL 2026 mini auction. Their decision to keep players from last season will depend on their auction strategy.
They aim to retain star players like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Ajinkya Rahane. However, there is still uncertainty around Venkatesh Iyer, as they need to consider their budget.
Here is the expected player retention for KKR before IPL 2026.
- Batters: Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- All-rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russel, Ramandeep Singh
- Bowlers: Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Spencer Johnson
| Player | Reason for Retention |
|---|---|
| Ajinkya Rahane | Leadership & experience as 2025 captain |
| Rinku Singh | Consistent finisher and proven T20 match-winner |
| Angkrish Raghuvanshi | Promising young batter with long-term future |
| Sunil Narine | KKR’s all time best all-rounder |
| Andre Russell | A match-winner with power-hitting and death-over bowling |
| Ramandeep Singh | Versatile all-rounder offering batting and medium pace |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | Mystery spinner and proven match-winner for KKR |
| Vaibhav Arora | Reliable Indian pacer for powerplay overs |
| Harshit Rana | Young fast bowler with pace and aggression |
| Spencer Johnson | Left-arm pace variety, promising T20 talent from Australia |
KKR Expected Player Releases for IPL 2026
As KKR prepares for the IPL 2026 mini-auction, they plan to let go of some players who did not show consistent performances or no longer fit their strategy. The aim is to improve their budget and create a more balanced squad.
Here are the likely cuts and the reasons for them.
- Venkatesh Iyer (All-rounder): Released because of a high price of ₹23.75 Cr and disappointing performance during the 2025 season.
- Anrich Nortje (Fast Bowler): Missed several games due to injuries and had a limited role throughout the season.
- Quinton de Kock (Wicketkeeper-Batter): Struggled with his batting form and did not make a significant impact at the top of the order.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper-Batter): Inconsistent with the bat and could not secure his position despite several chances.
KKR’s Expected Strategy for IPL 2026 Auction
KKR is likely to take a different auction approach. They plan to free up funds by letting go of expensive, underperforming players.
Their goal is to keep a strong core, make the most of overseas slots, and focus on key additions in important positions, like middle order, pace, and finishing. They will use strategic balance and depth to steer their decisions.
- Release high-priced but inconsistent players to free up budget and overseas slots.
- Retain dependable core players like Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Andre Russell to maintain continuity.
- Target versatile all-rounders and finishers who can perform well in high-pressure games.
- Focus on depth in the pace attack and reliable backup bowlers.
- Choose value players instead of overspending on marquee names.
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Conclusion: KKR’s Retention Strategy Focuses on Experience and Future Potential!
KKR goes into the IPL 2026 auction with clear goals: strengthen weak areas, manage their budget wisely, and create a more balanced team. The mini-auction will allow them to make smart adjustments.
By keeping experienced players like Sunil Narine and Andre Russell and supporting young talents like Angkrish Raghuvanshi, KKR should focus on current performance and future development. Releasing some big names opens up new opportunities.
With the right strategy, smart choices, and a solid core, KKR can come back stronger in IPL 2026 and aim for a top-four finish again.
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