The IPL 2026 auction will be very important, especially for Kolkata Knight Riders. There was a lot of discussion about the captaincy of KKR last season, ultimately the burden of captaincy was placed on the shoulders of Ajinkya Rahane. KKR stood eighth in the table. Now the speculation about releasing Venkatesh Iyer before the auction has also gained momentum, because with his departure the Kolkata team’s purse will be emptied by Rs 23.75 crore. Here let us know about those 5 players whom KKR can release before the IPL 2026 mini auction.

KKR can release 5 players

Venkatesh Iyer

The first name can be that of Venkatesh Iyer, because emptying the purse of Rs 23.75 crore in the mini auction will help KKR a lot in making a strong team. Last year, after receiving such a huge amount, Iyer was able to score only 142 runs in 11 matches.

Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali was bought by KKR for Rs 2 crore in the mega auction last year. Ali could score only 6 runs in 5 matches and could take only 6 wickets in bowling. Due to this poor performance, Kolkata Knight Riders can release him and choose another all-rounder.

spencer johnson

Spencer Johnson, who wreaked havoc across the world with his lethal bowling speed, proved to be a complete failure in the IPL. KKR bought him for Rs 2.8 crore, but after playing 4 matches in the entire season, he was able to take only one wicket.

Enrique Nortje

Enrique Nortje has failed to perform consistently in the last 2-3 seasons. In the last 2 seasons, he has taken only 8 wickets in 8 matches. Whereas in 2025, he took only one wicket in 2 matches for KKR. His economy rate was 11.86.

Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey is one of the few players who has been an integral part of the Indian Premier League since 2008. KKR had signed him in the mega auction for Rs 75 lakh. He got three matches in the entire season, in which only 92 runs were scored from his bat.

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Sunil narine update: Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday to register their first win in season 18. Opener Quinton Dickock played an unbeaten innings of 97 runs. The innings was started with him by Moin Ali, who was included in the playing 11 in place of Sunil Naren today. It has happened after 1628 days that Naren has not joined KKR’s playing 11. Captain Rahane also explained the reason for him being out at the toss.

In this match played at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and decided to bowl first. He had told during the toss that only 1 change has been made in playing 11. Moin Ali has been included in place of Sunil Naren. Naren was not out due to any injury, but his health was not well. The captain said this after the toss.

Naren out of playing 11 after 1628 days

It happened after 1628 days that Sunil Naren did not attend KKR’s playing 11. However, KKR scored his first 2 points by winning 8 wickets in this match. Moin Ali, who replaced Naren, also bowled brilliantly, he took 2 wickets in 4 overs while giving just 23 runs.

KKR won by 8 wickets

Rajasthan Royals could score only 151 runs due to the brilliant performance of Kolkata bowlers. While no Rajasthan bowler could disturb KKR batsmen. Quinton Dickock scored an unbeaten 97, in this innings he hit 6 sixes and 8 fours. Dickock was chosen as the best player of the match for this brilliant innings.

KKR in points table

KKR has reached number six from 9th place in the points table with this victory. The team has 2 points after 2 matches, its net run rate is -0.308. At the same time, this is the second consecutive defeat of Rajasthan Royals, it is at the bottom of the table (10th).