Indian wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul may join Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season. If Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson gets transferred to the franchise for the next edition, the right-handed batsman is likely to part ways with Delhi Capitals.
Trades and releases of players are common during the off-season. Teams are allowed to trade up to a week before the auction and continue until a month before the start of the next season. Trades can be all-cash deals or swaps of players, allowing franchises to adjust their squads based on tactical and financial needs.
KKR’s lead goes to zero after forgetting IPL 2025
Kolkata Knight Riders faced a disappointing performance in the IPL 2025 campaign. Despite entering the season as defending champions, the team finished in eighth place. Notably, the team struggled for consistency throughout the tournament.
Rahane left the captaincy of Mumbai in domestic cricket. Kolkata team will have to appoint a new captain for the next season. They also need a wicketkeeper-batsman after Quinton de Kock’s poor performance as he has scored only 152 runs in eight matches.
The franchise is now expected to undergo a revamp under a new head coach ahead of the IPL 2026 season. Former all-rounder Abhishek Nair has been appointed as the head coach.
KL Rahul may leave Delhi Capitals if Sanju Samson joins
On his YouTube channel, RepSports journalist Rohit Juglan said that if Sanju Samson’s move to Delhi Capitals is successful, KL Rahul may consider joining another franchise. He also clarified that no official discussion has taken place yet.
“The most important thing is that if Sanju Samson’s move to Delhi, which is a strong possibility, comes to fruition, then there is a possibility of KL Rahul going,” Juglan said.
He said, “Now, where will KL Rahul go? Can he join KKR? It is very possible. I am not ruling it out. However, I do not have any confirmed information to suggest that discussions have started between Kolkata Knight Riders and KL Rahul.”
Apart from KKR, another franchise is also interested in Rahul.
Rohit Juglan said that Rahul can be a perfect fit for Kolkata Knight Riders. However, he also said that some other franchise may be interested in signing him. Juglan clarified that any transfer would require mutual consent between Delhi Capitals and the player.
“If Abhishek Nair believes that Rahul is the right man, then only he can lead KKR,” Juglan said. “He can captain the team, open the innings and keep wickets, solving three major issues for the team. Rahul will fit seamlessly into the KKR setup.”
“However, the question is whether KKR is the only franchise on his radar or whether others are also interested. I can confirm that there is at least one more team, although I will not name them yet as there is no confirmation. For any move, KL Rahul and Delhi Capitals will have to agree, as he is still under contract with them.”
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