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QDK And Indian Finisher To Leave KKR: Players Who Might Be Released To Accommodate KL Rahul

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Virat Kohli, Ramandeep Singh and Rinku Singh [Source: @Jay_Cricket12/x.com]Virat Kohli, Ramandeep Singh and Rinku Singh [Source: @Jay_Cricket12/x.com]

The Kolkata Knight Riders were on a high after winning the IPL 2024. However, in the 2025 season, they failed to deliver like the defending champions and finished in eighth place in the points table.

The three-time IPL champions are looking to rebuild their squad, starting with the coaching staff and addressing the underperforming assets in the team.

The KL Rahul Rumour And The Money Mechanism

A strong rumour is doing the rounds that KKR might look to trade KL Rahul from DC. The deal might involve a sum of around ₹25 Cr. 

Notably, KKR used up ₹119.95 Cr of their allotted ₹120 Cr during the IPL 2025 mega auction. So, for the Rahul trade to happen seamlessly, KKR might plan to release a few players. Besides, bringing only KL will not solve all their problems; they might need to recruit a few more stars ahead of the next season.

Here is a look at the players who will most probably be released, including Rahul and other reinforcements.

1. Venkatesh Iyer (₹23.75 Cr)

Venkatesh Iyer [Source: AFP Media]Venkatesh Iyer [Source: AFP Media]

The KKR management bought Venkatesh Iyer for a massive sum of ₹23.75 Cr. However, by the end of the tournament, this turned out to be the most egregious misallocation in IPL history. 

During IPL 2025, Iyer scored 142 runs in 11 matches at an average of 20.29, and notably, 60 of these runs came in only one innings. The fact that his contract can nearly cover the ambitious KL Rahul deal, along with his underperformance in the previous season, means Iyer needs to be shown the exit door.

2. Quinton de Kock (₹3.60 Cr)

The South African keeper batter was KKR's go-to option at the start of the season for the opening spot and the keeper option. However, he failed to deliver in a single match. Releasing de Kock will not only free up around ₹ 4 Cr for KKR in the auction purse, but it will also give them the chance to reinforce some of their weak points with an overseas recruit.

3. Anrich Nortje (₹6.50 Cr)

When KKR bought Anrich Nortje during the IPL 2025 mega auction, they expected him to be their prime enforcer with the ball. However, with injury concerns and average performances in limited opportunities, Nortje turned out to be a liability for the team. The three-time champions can look to target some other overseas prime pacer by releasing Nortje ahead of the next season.

4. Ramandeep Singh (₹4 Cr)

Ramandeep Singh for KKR [Source: AFP Media]Ramandeep Singh for KKR [Source: AFP Media]

The Indian all-rounder is seen as a finisher who can play explosive knocks in the lower middle-order and also bowl a few overs. However, in the 2025 season, we saw that due to the presence of players like Andre Russell and Rinku Singh, Ramandeep got limited opportunities to bat. He almost looked like a player who was there just to fill up the lineup. So, KKR might look to release him and acquire someone else who might prove to be more useful for them.

Conclusion

The inclusion of KL Rahul will definitely solve a few problems for KKR, and spending around ₹25 Cr for him seems to be the right move. However, only acquiring cannot put them on the way towards their fourth IPL title. Thus, the release of these players might provide KKR with the financial and strategic flexibility that helps them rebuild their squad ahead of IPL 2026.