Overview:
Keeping the foundation intact with continuity, the three-time champions will focus on strengthening other departments of the game.
Kolkata Knight Riders faced a dramatic decline in 2025, finishing in 8th place on the points table. The season was marked by inconsistency, batting failures, and an unsettled middle order, leading the franchise into a crucial rebuilding phase ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline. With several senior players under close scrutiny, KKR are likely to make bold choices in order to restore their competitiveness for the upcoming season.
Kolkata Knight Riders are set to maintain a core group of players, including Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, and Varun Chakravarthy, who bring a blend of spin mastery, depth in the batting lineup, and seasoned match awareness. Keeping the foundation intact with continuity, the three-time champions will focus on strengthening other departments of the game.
Ajinkya Rahane’s future with KKR looks uncertain as the franchise evaluates a potential overhaul of their top order. Though Rahane’s contributions were steady in phases, KKR are reportedly eyeing a more dynamic, youthful option to add energy and innovation to their batting lineup. With the team prioritising long-term growth and a more aggressive approach ahead of IPL 2026, Rahane’s place may be at risk despite his experience.
Andre Russell‘s place in the KKR squad is also in question after a mixed 2025 season. Despite playing 13 matches and maintaining a solid strike rate of 163.73, his overall influence on games seemed to have diminish. With his match-winning ability no longer consistent, his role in the team is becoming increasingly uncertain.
Venkatesh Iyer’s time with KKR could be nearing its end after a season of inconsistent performances, especially given his hefty price tag of INR 23.75 crore. His batting failed to live up to expectations, and with the franchise looking for more reliable all-round options, they may opt to move on from him.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Probable Retained Players: Sunil Narine, Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy
KKR’s Probable Released Players: Anrich Nortje, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Mayank Markande, Chetan Sakariya, Quinto de Kock, Rovman Powell, Spencer Johnson, Luvnith Sisodia, Ramandeep Singh, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Umran Malik