Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Released and Retained Players List 2026

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) failed to retain their crown in the IPL 2025. The Knights will now shift their focus to the IPL 2026 season. Making a strong comeback is the ideal goal. And it all starts with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Released and Retained Players List 2026.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) walked into the IPL 2025 stage as the reigning champions. However, the side lost some matches from winning positions, while in some, they were outclassed by the opponents. In the end, they finished in 8th place in the points table.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Released and Retained Players List 2026

KKR had to wait 10 long years to get their 3rd Trophy. The fans and management will be hoping that they don’t have to wait long enough for the next one. The preparations have started with the discussion around Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Released and Retained Players List 2026.

KKR Released Players List 2026

Venkatesh Iyer

Kolkata Knight Riders spent a big INR 23.75 Crore to rope in the services of Indian batsman Venkatesh Iyer. However, Iyer let down the fans and management and was even dropped from the playing XI. He scored only 142 runs in 7 innings with a strike rate of 139.22. His highest score this season was 60 runs vs SRH. KKR will be looking to free up INR 23.75 Crore to add to their purse by including Iyer in the KKR released players list.

Anrich Nortje

Another player for whom the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spent big money is South African pace bowler Anrich Nortje. Despite spending INR 6.5 Crore, Nortje played only 2 matches and took a wicket. As KKR rebuilds the team for the upcoming season, the INR 6.5 Crore will come in handy in the IPL 2026 Mini Auction.

Quinton de Kock

Another South African that KKR included in their team for the IPL 2025 season is veteran wicket-keeper batter, Quinton de Kock. However, other than his 97 runs inning vs Rajasthan Royals, de Kock didn’t impress at all. Quinton is also likely to be included in the KKR released players list 2026.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Another wicketkeeper batter Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) might look to move on in the upcoming IPL 2026 Auction is Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Gurbaz has been a part of the franchise since 2022 but is yet to establish his place in the team. He played 5 innings and scored only 74 runs this season. KKR is likely to invest in a new keeper batter in the upcoming Auction.

Spencer Johnson

Looking to find a replacement for Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, KKR went for Aussie pacer Spencer Johnson. However, the left-arm pacer played 4 matches and picked only 1 wicket. KKR will be looking to add INR 2.8 Crore to their purse by releasing him.

Moeen Ali and Rovman Powell

Kolkata Knight Riders brought in all-rounder Moeen Ali and Rovman Powell to play back-up to Andre Russell and Sunil Narine. While Moeen took 6 wickets but couldn’t contribute with the bat. Rovman Powell on the other hand, didn’t do well in the few opportunities he got.

ALSO READ: Mumbai Indians Retained and Released Players List for IPL 2026

Other Released Players: Chetan Sakariya, Shivam Shukla

KKR Retained Players List for IPL 2026

Ajinkya Rahane, after being named the new KKR captain for IPL 2025, impressed the fans with his batting approach in the powerplay overs. Ajinkya was the team’s top run scorer with 390 runs in the tournament. KKR would be looking to hold on to the India international batter.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi, like-wise, was impressive while batting in the middle order for KKR. The youngster is touted to have a big future ahead of him. He scored 300 runs in 11 innings for KKR this season and will be looking forward as he is supposedly in KKR’s scheme of things for the next captain.

Although it wasn’t the kind of season like in 2024, Sunil Narine still did the heavy lifting for KKR in the powerplay. With his opening partners lot inconsistent, Narine scored 246 runs in 12 innings this season. He also took 12 wickets. He will definitely be one of the top candidate to be in KKR retained players list 2026.

Narine spin bowling Varun Chakravarthy is also going to find his name in the KKR retained players list 2026. In the last few years, Varun has been the side’s best bowler, already being regarded as a KKR icon and close to legendary status. Varun took 17 wickets in 13 matches this season.

Harshit Rana is touted as one of the players part of the long-term future at the franchise. After joining in 2022, Harshit Rana has continuously improved his game. In the IPL 2025, he picked 15 wickets and created several chances but was unlucky a lot.

Another Indian pace bowler who was impressive for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025 season was Harshit’s partner Vaibhav Arora. Arora was mainly a powerplay bowler but has improved his death-over bowling as well, as he took 17 wickets this season. KKR will be excited to keep the Indian swing bowler.

Andre Russell is one of the heart-beats of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise. The Caribbean powerhouse wasn’t utilised well this, neither with the bat nor with the ball. He still took 8 wickets in very little overs he bowled and scored 167 runs. Russell will definitely be in KKR retained players list 2026.

KKR Full Retained Players List 2026