Three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) winners Kolkata Knight Riders took some big calls on the retention deadline day (November 15) for IPL 2026 auction, making the answer to who will KKR buy quite a head-scratching one. While the KKR Retained players 2026 list had some of the loyal custodians of the franchise, the KKR Released Players 2026 list also featured some shockers like Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer.
In fact, they retained just 12 players while releasing a total of 10 names, which is a clear indication that the KKR IPL 2026 auction targets will be done with an overhaul in mind. The KKR target players should ideally be roped in, given they have the highest budget amongst all teams, with a KKR remaining purse of INR 64.3 crore.
ALSO READ: KKR Retained And Released Players 2026
Let’s see five names who will KKR buy?
KKR are in dire need of a top-order glovesman who can hit the big shots and Shai Hope fits the requirements perfectly. The Caribbean wicketkeeper batter has also been in tremendous form this year and is the fourth-highest run-scorer in ODIs in 2025 so far with 654 runs in 14 innings at an impressive average of 59.45, including four fifties and two centuries. In the shortest format as well, Hope has delivered the goods with 407 runs in 19 T20Is, averaging over 30s with a low dot-ball percentage of 35.9%.
Apart from his international exploits, Shai Hope has performed in franchise T20 leagues too, finishing as the top-scorer in ILT20 2025 and the CPL 2025.
Though he was a part of KKR released players list, they might try to buy Venkatesh Iyer back at the auction. They did a similar thing last time, only to splurge INR 23.75 crores, but the move backfired as the 30-year-old failed to live up to the lofty price tag. However, the left-hander is a solid option to have in the batting order and provides stability, and KKR might be looking to get him back at a cheaper rate.
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With the release of Andre Russell, it is clear KKR wants to move on to a younger player in the same role. Cameron Green is one of the prime candidates who can fill the void left by one of the KKR released players – Andre Russell. The franchise will aggressively try to secure him in the auction.
KKR can also target Prithvi Shaw to have competition for the wicketkeeping spot and also as a backup option. While Shaw went unsold at the auction last year, he has recently looked in good touch, slamming a double century in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. He also hit two fifties in the Ranji this season, and KKR can give him the chance at redemption by acquiring him at the auction.
The Sri Lankan pacer, who was released by Chennai Super Kings (CSK), can be on the radar of KKR. The Kolkata outfit will be on the lookout for an overseas pacer after letting go of Anrich Nortje and Spencer Johnson and Pathirana can be a good fit. He is extremely clinical at death and is a genuine wicket-taking option given his lethal yorkers.
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