Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are preparing for a big move ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, and the player they are reportedly most excited about is Prithvi Shaw. The franchise is all set to rebuild the top of its batting order, especially after releasing South African Quinton de Kock.
Having already retained Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Kolkata Knight Riders now need a strong Indian opener who can attack from the very first over and India’s dismissed opener Prithvi Shaw is emerging as an ideal option for them.
KKR may target explosive opener Prithvi Shaw in IPL auction 2026
Shaw’s incredible form in domestic cricket this season has made him one of the most talked-about names at the IPL 2026 auction, which is scheduled to take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. After going unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction, he moved from Mumbai to Maharashtra and completely revived his lost career.
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The right-handed batsman’s performances in both Ranji Trophy 2025-26 and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 have been exceptional. In the Ranji Trophy alone, he has already scored more than 450 runs in seven innings, including a record-breaking double century.
His form in T20 cricket has been equally excellent. Leading the Maharashtra T20 team, Shaw played two quickfire innings of 66 runs in consecutive matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 – one off 36 balls and the other off just 30 balls.
Domestic dominance has made Prithvi Shaw the most popular Indian player ahead of IPL auction 2026
These innings reminded everyone of his natural ability to dominate the bowlers. Meanwhile, KKR’s team management and support staff are closely monitoring Shaw’s progress. He could be an ideal candidate to open the innings with Gurbaz in IPL 2026.
His fearless style, his aggressive strokeplay and his ability to deliver explosive starts matches exactly what KKR wants from their top order after releasing the experienced South African opener.
With the team undergoing a revamp and having the biggest purse (Rs 64.30 crore) for the IPL 2026 auction, the three-time IPL champions must be determined to strengthen their Indian core, and Shaw fits into that plan perfectly. Another reason for his keen interest is the praise he has received from KKR head coach Abhishek Nair.
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What did Abhishek Nair say about Prithvi Shaw?
Nair believes that Shaw has the natural talent to be a game-changer and his recent performances show that he is ready for a big comeback. He is entering the IPL 2026 auction with a base price of ₹75 lakh in the auction to be held in Abu Dhabi on December 26.
Abhishek Nair said in a recent interview, “If there is one player I would like to work with, who has the potential and who has nailed it, it is Prithvi Shaw. He is God’s gift to cricket. He is a talented player, and his biggest strength is the amount of time he has (while assessing deliveries).”
He has great hands and catches the ball very quickly. He is a player who performs well in swinging and seaming situations. I remember when we played together last year he scored for Mumbai; He scored runs even in difficult conditions. I think he has a great responsibility on his shoulders and a bright future ahead of him.”