KKR IPL 2026 auction targets News

After a disappointing 8th-place finish in IPL 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have undergone a major squad overhaul and released high-profile underperformers like Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, and Anrich Nortje to enter the 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi with the league's largest purse of Rs 64.3 crore and 13 slots to fill. KKR's retained core featuring Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi - provides a strong spin and middle-order base, but gaps remain in opening batting, wicketkeeping, all-round depth, and pace bowling. Here are four high-profile players KKR might actively target at the IPL 2026 auction: 

After a disappointing 8th-place finish in IPL 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have undergone a major squad overhaul and released high-profile underperformers like Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, and Anrich Nortje to enter the 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi with the league's largest purse of Rs 64.3 crore and 13 slots to fill. KKR's retained core featuring Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi - provides a strong spin and middle-order base, but gaps remain in opening batting, wicketkeeping, all-round depth, and pace bowling. Here are four high-profile players KKR might actively target at the IPL 2026 auction:

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) enter the IPL 2026 mini auction with a massive ₹64.3 crore purse, aiming to rebuild after releasing stars like Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer. With key gaps in the squad, KKR are targeting top-tier players, including wicketkeeper-opener options like Josh Inglis and Jonny Bairstow, overseas all-rounders such as Cameron Green, and Indian pacers like Mohit Sharma and Akash Deep. Openers like Faf du Plessis and Rachin Ravindra are also on the radar. The franchise seeks a balanced mix of experienced performers and high-potential youngsters to strengthen batting, pace, and all-round departments, positioning KKR as strong contenders in IPL 2026.

Russell, who won the IPL MVP award in 2015 and 2019 with the Purple and Gold. As a part of KKR from 2014-25, Russell scored 2,593 runs in 133 matches and 111 innings at an average of 28.81.