It was one of the worst seasons for KKR in IPL history. The defending Champions with the new captain Ajinkya Rahane started off with high hopes; however, It all went wrong. KKR won only in 5 out of the 14 matches and ended on 8th position on the points table, which is nowhere close to the playoff. It was the saddest season for the three-time champions and top 8 is doing not do any justice. The champion’s that lifted the trophy in 2024 failed badly to come even close to retaining it.
For IPL 2026, the KKR will look forward to a great comeback. Their success will largely depend upon how they use the money in an auction smartly. The biggest flop was Venkatesh Iyer, who was brought for ₹23.75 crore, but he never performed. The KKR need to take some bold steps and release the players underperforming players ahead of mini auction.
Kolkata Knight Riders 2025 IPL Squad – Auction Prices and Season Performance
| Player | Sold Price (₹ Cr) | IPL 2025 Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Ajinkya Rahane | 1.50 | Batting: 390 runs in 12 inns, Avg 35.45, SR 147.73, 36×4, 20×6, HS: 61* |
| Angkrish Raghuvanshi | 3.00 | Batting: 300 runs in 11 inns, SR 139.53, 30×4, 8×6, HS: 48 |
| Sunil Narine (Retained) | 12.00 | Batting: 246 runs (SR 170.83, 25×4, 19×6) – Bowling: 12 wickets, Economy 7.33, Best: 4/19 |
| Rinku Singh (Retained) | 13.00 | Batting: 206 runs in 11 inns, Avg 22.89, SR 153.73, 20×4, 10×6, HS: 67* |
| Andre Russell (Retained) | 12.00 | Batting: 167 runs (SR 163.73, 16×4, 14×6) – Bowling: 8 wickets, Best: 3/19, Economy 8.81 |
| Quinton de Kock | 3.60 | Batting: 152 runs in 8 inns, SR 129.91, 9×4, 11×6, HS: 97*, Wicket-keeping |
| Venkatesh Iyer | 23.75 | Batting: 142 runs in 7 inns, SR 139.22, 15×4, 4×6, HS: 60 |
| Manish Pandey | 0.75 | Batting: 92 runs in 3 inns, SR 141.54, 5×4, 5×6 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 2.00 | Batting: 74 runs in 5 inns, SR 139.62, 10×4, 3×6, HS: 36 |
| Harshit Rana (Retained) | 4.00 | Bowling: 15 wickets in 13 matches, Economy 8.70, Best: 3/24 – Batting: 57 runs, SR 107.55 |
| Ramandeep Singh (Retained) | 4.00 | Batting: 47 runs in 7 inns, SR 134.29, 1×4, 4×6 |
| Moeen Ali | 2.00 | Batting: 5 runs (SR 35.71) – Bowling: 6 wickets in 6 matches, Economy 7.50, Best: 2/20 |
| Rovman Powell | 1.50 | Batting: 5 runs in 2 inns, SR 100.00 |
| Spencer Johnson | 2.80 | Bowling: 1 wicket in 4 matches, Economy 9.70, Best: 1/30 |
| Varun Chakravarthy (Retained) | 12.00 | Bowling: 17 wickets in 13 matches, Economy 7.80, Best: 3/16 |
| Vaibhav Arora | 1.80 | Bowling: 17 wickets in 12 matches, Economy 8.20, Best: 4/22 |
| Anukul Roy | 0.40 | Bowling: 1 wicket in 1 match, Economy 6.00, Best: 1/24 |
| Anrich Nortje | 6.50 | Bowling: 1 wicket in 2 matches, Economy 8.57, Best: 1/28 |
| Umran Malik | 0.75 | No appearances |
| Luvnith Sisodia | 0.30 | No appearances |
| Mayank Markande | 0.30 | No appearances |
Kolkata Knight Riders Retained Players: Keeping the Core Together
Star Players (High Salary):
Rinku Singh – ₹13 crores (Middle-order finisher)
Varun Chakravarthy – ₹12 crores (Lead spinner)
Sunil Narine – ₹12 crores (Opening batter & spinner)
Andre Russell – ₹12 crores (All-rounder & finisher)
Support Players:
Harshit Rana – ₹4 crores (Young Indian pacer)
Ramandeep Singh – ₹4 crores (All-rounder backup)
Other Retained Players:
Ajinkya Rahane, Quinton de Kock, Rovman Powell, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and several promising bowlers like Vaibhav Arora and Spencer Johnson.
Kolkata Knight Riders Released Players
| Player Name | Salary | Why Released |
|---|---|---|
| Venkatesh Iyer | ₹23.75 crores | Biggest flop – only 142 runs in 11 games, couldn’t justify the massive price tag |
| Anrich Nortje | ₹6.50 crores | Expensive for average performance – 14 wickets in 13 games with high economy rate |
| Spencer Johnson | ₹2.80 crores | Decent but not worth the price for a foreign pacer spot |
| Moeen Ali | ₹2.00 crores | Opted out mid-season and didn’t contribute much when available |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | ₹2.00 crores | Limited game time, expensive backup keeper option |
| Mayank Markande | ₹0.30 crores | Didn’t get many chances, better spinners available |
Kolkata Knight Riders Targeted Players in IPL 2026 Auction
Sanju Samson
KKR really needs a solid opener and Sanju Samson could be the answer. With Rahane not doing well, there are talks that KKR might try to trade for him if Rajasthan lets him go. Samson is not only a powerful batter but also a natural leader something KKR has been missing.
KL Rahul
Another big name is KL Rahul. He has captaincy experience and is a very reliable batter. If KKR manages to bring him in, he could lead the side and also give stability to the top order.
Cameron Green
Cameron Green provides KKR with the complete all-round skills they have been seeking. The player provides batting strength in the middle order while delivering effective fast bowling and creating flexibility for the team. His tall stature and powerful hitting abilities create a threatening combination which helps stabilize the team.
Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell demonstrates composure during high-pressure situations while delivering consistent results in critical moments. The team benefits from his ability to bat in the middle order and his medium-pace bowling skills. The combination of his stable performance and effective finishing skills makes him an excellent choice for KKR.
Mohammed Shami
Shami would be a huge boost for the bowling attack. He’s experienced, can bowl at any stage of the innings, and always steps up in big games. That’s exactly what KKR missed last season.
T Natarajan
The left-arm fast bowling abilities of T Natarajan along with his death-overs experince make him an important asset for the team. The left-arm fast bowler provides different angles and yorkers to the team which makes him an excellent backup for KKR’s main fast bowlers.
Ben Duckett
The English left-hander Ben Duckett presents a solution to KKR’s ongoing opening batting problems. The left-handed English batsman has performed exceptionally well and plays aggressive cricket which would help KKR achieve their desired fast start in IPL 2025.
Mayank Yadav
The raw speed and energetic bowling style of Mayank Yadav brings excitement to the team. The young bowler maintains a consistent speed of 150 kmph which would bring an aggressive bowling power to KKR’s attack while providing an Indian fast bowler to the team.
Abhishek Porel
The Bengal wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel represents a strategic local acquisition for KKR. The young player from Bengal fits well with KKR because of his local origins while bringing fresh talent to the team.
Jason Holder
The international and franchise cricket experience of Jason Holder makes him a valuable asset for KKR. The player brings dual value to the team through his batting and bowling skills and his ability to perform under pressure and lead the team when necessary. The combination of his adaptable nature and extensive experience makes him an attractive choice for KKR.
KKR IPL 2026 Purse & Auction Budget Breakdown
| Budget Category | Amount | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Total Purse for IPL 2026 | ₹125 crores | 100% |
| Money Spent on Retained Players | ₹57 crores | 46% |
| Money Saved from Releases | ₹36.35 crores | 29% |
| Available for Auction | ₹68 crores | 54% |
IPL 2026 Mini Auction: When and Where It Will Happen?
The retention deadline for IPL 2026 is expected to be in late October 2025, and the mini auction is likely to take place in December 2025 or January 2026. The venue will be in India, most likely Mumbai or Delhi, and it will be conducted as a mini auction, not a mega auction.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Auction Type | Mini Auction |
| Expected Date | December 2025 – January 2026 |
| Venue | Mumbai or Delhi, India |
| Total Purse per Team | ₹125 crores |
| Maximum Players per TeaLm | 25 |
| Retention Deadline | Late October 2025 (dates not yet officially confirmed) |
| Auction Format | Players will be bought to fill remaining slots after retention and release |
ALSO READ: Kolkata Knight Riders Team Profile & History in IPL
Code: TOPBK
