IPL 2026: KKR to release 23.75 Cr buy Venkatesh Iyer; Ajinkya Rahane to continue as captain - Reports

KKR had bought Venkatesh Iyer for INR 23.75 crores using RTM card at the IPL 2025 auction.

Three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have reportedly decided on the players they are going to release and retain ahead of IPL 2026 mini auction. The deadline for submitting the finalized list is November 15 by noon, as the announcement will be made officially in the evening.

In the IPL, mini-auctions are not usually viewed as an opportunity for a complete revamp or to hit the reset button. Supply versus demand and performance versus price are the two main criteria that the franchises use to evaluate players prior to a mini-auction.

And Venkatesh Iyer seems to be KKR’s biggest and most expensive player that they’ll release into the mini auction. Iyer was released by KKR ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, but he was bought back after using their RTM card for a hefty price of INR 23.75 crores.

Unfortunately, Iyer, who has played for KKR only in his IPL career, failed to justify that price tag. He was also named the vice-captain of the side, but only managed 142 runs from 11 games. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder, who played a key role in their previous successful campaigns, has been valued highly by the Shah Rukh Khan-co-owned franchise.

However, it seems that Iyer will be released by KKR ahead of IPL 2026 auction, and they might try to buy him back for a cheaper price.

Ajinkya Rahane set to be surprisingly retained by KKR after reportedly failing to trade in KL Rahul

In another surprise, KKR are most likely to retain their IPL 2025 captain, the unassuming Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane was a last-minute buy by KKR a the IPL 2025 mega auction, after they failed to buy any player good enough for captaincy. He was bought by KKR for his base price of INR 1.50 crores.

Rahane turned out to be KKR’s highest run-getter with 390 runs in 14 games with a strike rate touching 150. There were reports of KKR pursuing KL Rahul and holding negotiations with Delhi Capitals as they wanted an Indian wicket-keeper who could open the batting and be their captain.

KL Rahul fulfilled this role, but the negotiations failed to materialize after one of DC’s two owners put his foot down.

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