IPL 2026 retention: List of players KKR might retain for next season

KKR probable retention list [Source: AFP Photo]

The stage is set for an epic Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini auction as the dates are almost finalised, and in two months' time, all ten franchises will assemble to buy players to strengthen their side before the next season commences. All ten squads will have to submit their final retention team before the deadline day, next month.

One of the sides that desperately needs some new players is the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). They had a dismal IPL 2025 season as they failed to qualify for the playoffs under skipper Ajinkya Rahane. The retention deadline day provides them a chance to release the unwanted players and keep the proven performers in the squad.

In this piece, we look at all the star players KKR might retain before the next IPL season.

KKR's IPL 2026 probable retention list

Opening woes for KKR

Ahead of the IPL 2025 season, KKR released Phil Salt and that was their biggest blunder as their new openers, Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, failed to deliver the goods, and even Narine blew hot and cold. The team needs a solid opener in the mini auction as that particular slot was KKR’s biggest weakness in IPL 2025.

(KKR openers in IPL 2025)

• Last season, the two KKR openers failed to score runs and this led to KKR failing to reach the playoffs. While de Kock only scored 152 runs, Gurbaz just added 74 runs as the openers couldn’t create the impact it was needed.
• Their strike rate was also questionable as the duo failed to replicate what Phil Salt did for KKR in their title-winning campaign.

An ageing batting for KKR

In Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, KKR have two players with a combined age of 74. However, KKR doesn’t have the quality to replace the duo, and they will play for at-least one more season. Moreover, they have an ageing Ajinkya Rahane in the squad, who was the captain of the side, as the franchise has three players who are well past their prime.

Chance for Rinku to deliver the goods

Rinku Singh had a failed IPL 2025 campaign as the management showed faith in him, but the finisher failed to finish games, and KKR suffered because of it.  He is likely to be retained by the KKR side, but this season could be a make-or-break for the Indian star.

(Rinku in IPL 2025)

• He did manage to score 200-plus runs in the league, and had a good strike rate as well, but often Rinku failed to steer KKR past the winning line and it affected their campaign.

Reliable bowling attack for IPL 2026

In Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, KKR has the best spin-bowling duo in the IPL, and they don’t have to tinker with their spin department. However, the pace department can cause a bit of worry. In Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora, they have two promising pacers, but they lack control over their lines and lengths.

• While both Harshit and Vaibhav picked wickets in the IPL 2025 season, they leaked plenty of runs and conceded them at well over 10 runs per over. Hence, KKR also need a quality pacer to guide the two youngsters.

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