IPL auction: How Duckett's Aggression, Jamie Smith's finishing ability might solve KKR's woes

How the English duo could solve KKR woes for next season [Source: AFP Photo]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini auction is set to take place on December 16, as all ten franchises will aim to strengthen their team for the next season. The auction provides each team a chance to fill in the loopholes from last season, and one side that desperately needs to overhaul their team is the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

The team failed to qualify for the IPL playoffs last season, and they have plenty of weaknesses to address in their squad, mainly the top order and a solid keeping option is one area where they could invest. Two solid English options in Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith are reportedly available in the auction, and here is why KKR must run after the duo in the mini auction.

KKR's opening woes

Duckett could potentially solve KKR’s opening woes as the team has still not been able to fill in the loophole left by Phil Salt. Last season, they had Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz as their two openers, and they both had an average season.

(KKR ex-openers in IPL 2025)

• Both De Kock and Gurbaz struggled in the IPL 2025 season and in almost all the games, KKR failed to get a solid start, and this put pressure in their middle-order, and this is where Ben Duckett comes into play as a power-packed opener.

What Duckett brings to the table for KKR

An explosive opener, and a batter who loves to play aggressively, Duckett brings in a fearless approach that KKR fans would love. He has a solid record as opener for England in T20Is and the record tells the entire story.

(Duckett in T20Is)

• 527 runs in 20 matches with a strike rate of 153 define Duckett’s T20I journey for England. Time and again, he has given solid and explosive starts to England, and his arrival will boost KKR’s powerplay batting that lacked aggression, last season.

How Jamie Smith could solve the keeping issues

• When Phil Salt was there in the KKR squad, he fulfilled the dual role of keeping and opening the batting before Gurbaz took over the role, but since his departure, the franchise has been badly hurt and has not found an able replacement.
• Jamie Smith can keep the wickets for the team, and moreover, can also play as a finisher at number 6 for the franchise. As a finisher for England at number 6, he has played only two games, but strikes at 175.
• With Russell gone, the team needs a finisher at 6, and while all the big names have popped up before the auction, Smith could be an underrated buy as he fulfils the dual role for the KKR side.

---

ALSO READ

Green on top of the bucket list; 5 targets for KKR with 2 cr price tag in IPL 2026 auction

---