Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have shown interest in signing Delhi Capitals (DC) wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. After Abhishek Nair became the head coach, the team is looking for a captain, especially since they do not see Ajinkya Rahane as a suitable option for the role.
KKR had a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane. He had parted ways with former captain Shreyas Iyer, who had led them to the 2024 title. The Kolkata team failed to perform consistently in recent seasons. KKR failed to qualify for the playoffs after finishing eighth in the table.
Kolkata Knight Riders are desperately trying to sign KL Rahul
according to Firstpost, The Kolkata Knight Riders are desperate to sign KL Rahul, but are facing several hurdles in their efforts with Delhi Capitals. The two teams held initial discussions, but nothing progressed despite several informal meetings between Rahul and the KKR management.
Delhi Capitals explored several swap options to make the deal successful. He proposed various combinations, which included Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Harshit Rana. However, KKR was unwilling to give up Rinku, one of its most valuable performers, and rejected all three offers.
Talks have stalled due to KKR’s reluctance to trade high-quality players to DC. DC made it clear that if KKR wanted their marquee wicketkeeper-batsman, they would have to offer someone of similar stature. However, KKR has been reluctant to do so so far.
KL Rahul’s performance for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025
KL Rahul moves to Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2025. He scored 539 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 149.72, which included one century and three fifties. He became the fastest player to score 5,000 runs in IPL. The batsman has scored more than 5,200 runs with five centuries and 40 half-centuries.
Before joining Delhi, Rahul led Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for three years but was released before the 2025 mega auction. During his tenure in Lucknow, he had to face criticism regarding his strike rate.
In international cricket, KL Rahul has scored over 2,200 runs in 72 T20 Internationals for India with two centuries and 22 half-centuries. He last played in this format for India during the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final against England.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ wicketkeeping options failed last season
Venkatesh Iyer, who was bought for ₹23.75 crore in the last mega auction, failed to perform in IPL 2025, scoring only 142 runs in 11 matches at an average of 20.29 and a strike rate of 139.22.
His wicketkeeping options were also poor last season. Quinton de Kock scored only 152 runs in eight matches, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz could manage only 74 runs in limited opportunities.
The Kolkata-based team is expected to release Iyer and possibly buy him back at a lower price if needed. They are also likely to part with their injury-plagued fast-bowling group including Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson and Umran Malik to free up significant funds.
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