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The Shane Watson effect at KKR: Surprise names who could be picked at IPL 2026 auction



Tim seifert for RCB - (Source: @RCBblood/X.com)Tim seifert for RCB - (Source: @RCBblood/X.com)

On Thursday, November 13, Kolkata Knight Riders roped in Australia legend Shane Watson as their new assistant coach for IPL 2026. The Knight Riders, who finished eighth on the table last season, have already begun their preparations for the upcoming edition.

Shane Watson has little time to settle in as the former CSK star will be put straight into action, as all teams are directed to submit the final retention list by November 15. Reports suggest that KKR are looking to release several top names to create a big purse to rope in exciting talents during the mini-auction.

Now, with Watson joining the side, he too will have a say in team meetings and present a list of players that he would love KKR to target during the auction. Thus, this article will shed light on the key players that Watson would love the three-time winners to go after during the IPL 2026 auction.

1. Matthew Short

KKR are looking for openers as their top-order has been a major reason for concern for the three-time winners. Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz couldn't contribute with the bat, which led to KKR's downfall in IPL 2025.

Thus, bringing in Matthew Short can help end their top-order woes. Notably, Watson also worked with San Francisco Unicorns as their head coach in MLC till 2025. The former Australia star worked with Short in MLC, and that might actually influence the Knight Riders to go for Short.

Talking about Short, he is in some fine form in T20 cricket and scored 360 runs in eight innings in MLC 2025. Further, the 30-year-old also shone against India in the 2nd ODI recently, where he slammed a fifty-plus score.

Let's compare Matthew Short's numbers recently

Tournament
Innings
Runs
Average
Strike-Rate
IND vs AUS 2025 T20Is35125.50
145.71
AUS vs NZ 202533819.00118.75
MLC 2025836045.00164.38
Champions Trophy 202528341.50102.47

2. Tim Seifert

Watson has a special affection for Tim Seifert. Notably, Shane Watson's first-ever IPL stint was with Delhi Capitals when he became DC's assistant coach from 2022-23. The Capitals acquired Seifert in IPL 2023, and it was followed by a reunion with Watson at San Francisco Unicorns. 

Notably, Seifert also featured for SFU in MLC 2025 and did well for the team. Thus, it is expected that Watson might also push KKR to sign Seifert, as they need a solid middle-order batter. Further, Seifert was also a part of RCB's title-winning season in IPL 2025 when he came as a replacement. However, he wouldn't be allowed to retain and will head to the auction.

Tim Seifert's performance since IPL 2025

Tournament
Innings
Runs
Average
Strike-Rate
ENG vs NZ 2025
2
62
62.00
155.00
AUS vs NZ 2025
2
52
26.00
136.84
CPL 2025
10
39644.00169.23
ZIM tri-series 20255
196
49.00138.03
MLC 2025611422.80106.56

3. Yash Dhull

Another player that Shane Watson might push KKR to sign for IPL 2025 is Yash Dhull. KKR are also hunting for a new India star, and Dhull fits the bill. Notably, Watson worked with Dhull during his time with Delhi Capitals in 2022 and 23. 

Further, Yash Dhull is in some fine form and also did well during the Delhi Premier League 2025. The right-handed batter scored 435 runs in just eight innings in DPL 2025 and is touted to be one of the hot prospects going into the auction.

Tournament
Innings
Runs
Average
Strike-Rate
Ranji Trophy 2025-26
6185
30.83
88.10
Irani Cup 2025
2
103
51.50
79.84
Duleep Trophy 2025
3
186
62.00
78.48
DPL 2025
8
435
87.00
167.31