After a horrific IPL 2025, KKR would start with a clean slate, quite literally as they got rid of their under-performing assets, ahead of the IPL auction 2026. The event is just a few days away, and Kolkata has some serious buying to do. One of the biggest shocks for them would be, that all-rounder Andre Russell won’t be available, which would only increase their headache.
Nonetheless, it is a good headache to have, as KKR have the maximum purse remaining for the IPL auction, that would give them the power to go for players, which might be impossible to buy for other teams. So, InsideSport takes a look a the KKR strategy for IPL auction 2026.
KKR retention list for IPL 2026
Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Kolkata Knight Riders release list
Luvnith Sisodia, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Moeen Ali, Spencer Johnson, Anrich Nortje, Chetan Sakariya.
Purse & slots for IPL auction 2026
KKR have the highest purse remaining, out of all the teams, coming into the IPL auction for next year. They now have room to get 9 more players to their existing roster.
KKR strategy
One of the biggest needs is to get an experienced keeper, who could potentially open their innings for them. They also need some solid Indian batters. Bowling looks sorted for now, but the amount of money they have, they should be looking for better resources, from the ones they have already. In fact, they can overspend, and still have enough in the bank to not worry.
| Specialisation | Player |
|---|---|
| Overseas all-rounder | Cameron Green/ Wiaan Mulder/ Beau Webster |
| Overseas opener/keeper | Quinton de Kock/ Josh Inglis/ Kusal Mendis |
| Spin all-rounder | Wanindu Hasaranga/ Liam Livingstone/ Rachin Ravindra/ Tanush Kotian/ Mahipal Lomror |
| Overseas pacers | Ben Dwarshuis/ Jason Holder/ Kyle Jamieson/ Mustfizur Rahman/ Alzarri Joseph |
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