Home > Cricket Breaking News > IPL 2026 Auction Kolkata Knight Riders: Retained & Released List — Squad & Auction Plan
IPL 2026 Auction Kolkata Knight Riders: Retained & Released List — Squad & Auction Plan
Updated - 19-NOV-2025 7:39 IST
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) entered the IPL 2026 mini-auction with a strong desire to rebuild under new head coach Abhishek Nayar following a poor IPL 2025 season in which the team placed eighth and missed the playoffs.
KKR is rebuilding its team around seasoned players like Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, and new captain Ajinkya Rahane after cutting several expensive players, including some of their longest-serving international stars. The Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi will host the mini-auction on December 16, 2025, giving KKR's rebuild goals further attention.
IPL 2025 Kolkata Knight Riders Summary
- Captain: Ajinke Rahane
- IPL 2025 Points Table: 08
- Key Concerns: The pace department lacked penetration, match-winning blows, and putting pressure on the team in tight situations. The middle order failed
Kolkata Knight Riders - Full Retained Players List
|
Player Name |
Role |
Remarks |
|
Ajinkya Rahane (C) |
Batter |
Retained; continues as captain |
|
Rinku Singh |
Batter |
KKR’s top finisher |
|
Angkrish Raghuvanshi |
Batter |
Retained young talent |
|
Manish Pandey |
Batter |
Experienced domestic anchor |
|
Rovman Powell |
Batter |
Retained overseas power-hitter |
|
Sunil Narine |
All-rounder |
Key all-rounder and impact opener |
|
Anukul Roy |
All-rounder |
Indian spin all-rounder |
|
Harshit Rana |
Pacer |
Leading Indian fast bowler |
|
Umran Malik |
Pacer |
Retained express pacer |
|
Vaibhav Arora |
Pacer |
Reliable new-ball seamer |
|
Varun Chakravarthy |
Spinner |
Main mystery spinner |
|
Ramandeep Singh |
All-rounder |
Lower-order hitter & utility bowler |
Kolkata Knight Riders - Full Released Players List
|
Player Name |
Role |
Reason for Release |
|
Andre Russell |
All-rounder |
End of era; high salary + low 2025 impact |
|
Quinton de Kock |
WK-Batter |
Overseas reshuffle |
|
Anrich Nortje |
Pacer |
Injuries + expensive |
|
Moeen Ali |
All-rounder |
Underwhelming 2025 |
|
Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
WK-Batter |
Needed Indian wicketkeeper option |
|
Spencer Johnson |
Pacer |
Costly overseas pacer |
|
Venkatesh Iyer |
All-rounder |
High-value release (₹23.75 Cr) |
|
Luvnith Sisodia |
Wicketkeeper |
Limited opportunities |
|
Chetan Sakariya |
Pacer |
Domestic slot opened |
|
Mayank Markande |
Spinner |
Traded to MI (trade window) |
Kolkata Knight Riders - Retention & Auction Plan
- International All-Rounder Replacement: KKR will actively pursue a multi-skilled international all-rounder in the wake of the departure of Russell and Moeen.
- Foreign fast Bowler: A fast-paced foreign pacer is required due to the departure of Nortje & Johnson.
- Indian Wicketkeeper-Batter: A local WK-opener is crucial now that Gurbaz and de Kock have been released.
- Middle-order Stability: To help Rahane and Rinku, expect bids for seasoned Indian bats.
Kolkata Knight Riders - Squad IPL 2026
|
Category |
Players (Confirmed/Expected) |
|
Batters & WKs |
Ajinkya Rahane (C), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey |
|
All-Rounders |
Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy + 1–2 overseas all-rounders (auction) |
|
Bowlers |
Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik + 2 overseas pacers (auction) |
Purse Freed Up After Releases & Trade
|
No. of Players |
Available Slot |
Oversees Slots |
Purse Left(INR) |
|
12 |
13 |
6 |
64.3 CR |
A full strategy reset is reflected in KKR's daring choices made before IPL 2026. Under Abhishek Nayar and new head coach Shane Watson, the team hopes to build a versatile, potent team with the release of senior foreign players and a sizable budget. Rahane, Rinku, Narine, Varun, Harshit Rana, and Umran Malik make up the core team of KKR, which is getting ready for a powerful IPL 2026 comeback.