Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)The 2024 champions suffered a very disappointing follow-up season, finishing 8th on the points table in 2025 with only 5 wins from 14 matches.
KKR’s IPL 2025 disappointment and need for financial revamp
This downturn, largely due to the failure of several high-value assets, has required a dramatic squad realignment. With the retention deadline approaching, KKR will need to shed financially burdened players to free up capital and strategically re-enter the IPL 2026 mini-auction. KKR’s main issues in 2025 stem from the lack of impressive performances from their most expensive players. The failure of the Rs 23.75 crore investment in their star domestic all-rounder was due to a pace attack that was either injured, expensive, or ineffective. The team’s immediate focus should be on rationalizing high domestic salaries and freeing up overseas slots currently occupied by players with minimal on-field utility.
5 players Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) may release before the IPL 2026 auction:
1. Venkatesh Iyer (Batsman/All-rounder)
- Contract Price: Rs 23.75 crore
- Reason for release: Excessive Cost vs. Poor Form and Unrealized Potential
Venkatesh Iyer Represents KKR’s largest financial burden. Despite being bought for a hefty price of Rs 23.75 crore, he consistently failed to justify his price tag due to his poor form in IPL 2025. For KKR to regain stability and competitive purse, releasing Iyer is a necessary, albeit drastic, financial move. This would immediately free up the largest portion of the budget, allowing the franchise to acquire multiple high-impact players in their place.
2. Anrich Nortje (Expatriate fast bowler)
- Contract Price: Rs 6.50 crore
- Reason for release: Injury risk, ineffective output and high economy
KKR signed Anrich Nortje for Rs 6.50 crore in the hope of an experienced fast bowler, but his career continued to be hampered by injuries. He played only 2 matches, bowled only 7 overs and took only 1 wicket while giving away runs at a terrible economy rate of 11.86. Retaining a player with so much financial risk and minimal impact is non-negotiable for a team looking to rebuild a reliable bowling unit.
Also read: Lucknow Super Giants: LSG may release 5 players before IPL 2026 auction
3. Moeen Ali (overseas all-rounder)
- Contract Price: 2 crore rupees
- Reason for release: Minimal roles and boring alien slots
England all-rounder Moeen Ali was brought in for IPL 2025, but his performance fell far short of expectations. In six matches this season, Moeen could score only five runs and take six wickets. Given the presence of other established overseas all-rounders like Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, Ali’s limited utility leaves room for a vital overseas player. His release will free up both budget and overseas space to target a specialist, high-impact overseas spinner or top-order batsman.
4. Manish Pandey (batsman)
- Contract Price: INR 75 lakh (base price)
- Reason for release: Minimal use and focus on youth
Manish Pandey, once a key member of KKR, re-joined the franchise at his base price of Rs 75 lakh, but his return has been largely unproductive. He appeared in only 4 matches during the 2025 season, scoring a total of 92 runs. Although they cost less, KKR want to move in a new direction by focusing on developing youth. Releasing Pandey, a veteran batsman with limited on-field time, is a straightforward roster clean-up move to open up domestic space for emerging talent.
5. Chetan Sakariya (fast bowler)
- Contract Price: 75 lakh rupees
- Reason for release: Low impact and bench-warmer status
Chetan Sakariya was acquired as a domestic pace option but remained largely unused. For a team struggling to find a reliable fast bowler, retaining a player who occupies a place in the team but makes zero contributions on the field is inefficient. Releasing a low-impact bench player like Sakariya allows KKR to optimize their backup roles and target a young, high-upside uncapped domestic fast bowler who can potentially provide more value and long-term potential in the reserve players.
Also read: Punjab Kings: PBKS may release 5 players before IPL 2026 auction
