IPL 2026: 7 Players KKR Could Retain Ahead of Upcoming IPL Auction – Trade Brains

by Sports Editorial | Oct 28, 2025 | Cricket, Latest News, Top most
The aspiration of a new and improved team for the IPL 2026 mini-auction is the result of a disappointing season faced by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who weren’t able to make the playoffs during IPL 2025. Last season KKR found themselves at the eighth spot with just five games won out of the total fourteen played. On the other hand, the management is rumored to place their faith in some players who have been consistent and vital to the squad.
The Indian youngsters will be the backbone of KKR and the fresh overseas players will be the icing on the cake. Let’s see in detail the players KKR is most likely to keep before the upcoming auction.
According to the KKR, Rinku Singh is the most valuable Indian player. He has been turning out to be one of the most dependable finishers of the league owing to his coolness at times of pressure. Rinku stills be KKR’s reliable man for going through the tight games with 206 runs scored in IPL 2025.
Andre Russell has become more and more closely connected with KKR since 2014. His thrilling batting and getting important scalps turn him into a very difficult-to-give-up player. During certain periods, Russell’s fitness is always a concern but if that is not the case then he still possesses the power and versatility to hit sixes like no other in T20s.
Sunil Narine has been a KKR legend for over ten years. His role as a mystery spinner and an aggressive opener provides the team with a versatility that only few players are capable of presenting. Narine’s total contribution of 1780 runs and 192 wickets is a testimony to his long-term value for the franchise.
Varun’s spin has always been a great mystery and it has led to many batters getting out. He has taken 99 wickets and that too at an economy of just 7.58, hence, he is a match-winner still in the middle overs. KKR is likely to keep him for the stability of the spin department.
The young fast bowler was a revelation to the critics with his toughness and ability to take wickets. In IPL 2025, Harshit had a tally of 15 wickets in 13 games and he is the franchise’s long-term investment for the pace attack.
Vaibhav Arora became a dependable powerplay bowler for KKR in IPL 2025, where he took 17 wickets in just 12 matches. His early swinging of the new ball gives KKR a reliable Indian pacer in their arsenal.
Ramandeep Singh was a decent player at the bottom of the order. He is a strong contender as an all-round backup since he can give run support and bowl medium pace at the same time. His retention signifies that KKR not only gains but also has the skill to play in both departments with depth and versatility.
With KKR retaining a balanced combination of Becker’s experience, (Russell, Narine) and revolution (Rinku, Harshit, Vaibhav), they can actually build a force around a very strong and very loyal core. Thus, eliminating the poor performers will not only lead to a lack of budget but also to the possibility of purchasing an Indian top-order batter and a left-arm fast bowler in the 2026 auction which is what they say are their weaknesses last season.  
The Kolkata Knight Riders retention plan for IPL 2026 is based on the very children strong product that takes place with the good balance of experienced players and younger ones with lots of potential. The team with Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Varun Chakravarthy as the mainstay hopes to emerge out of the crisis stronger and to be worthy competitors for the fourth time in the IPL.
Written By: Manjunath S
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