Right before the IPL 2026 mini auction, Kolkata Knight Riders shocked many by releasing a number of their stars from the franchise. After a disappointing IPL 2025 season when the 2-time IPL champions finished in eighth place with only five wins and 14 matches.
IPL 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders Released Players List
According to team reports, the Kolkata Knight Riders’ Released Players List includes five big names and has cleared a significant amount of purse space for new signings as part of the IPL 2026 auction.
1. Venkatesh Iyer – ₹23.75 crore
Reason: Poor form and lack of consistency. One of KKR’s most expensive players, Venkatesh Iyer, had a pretty torrid 2025 season as he never got his rhythm back with either bat or ball.
His inconsistency and inability to live up to his price tag were the probable reasons behind his exclusion. Having parted ways with Iyer, KKR release a big chunk of their auction budget and are now free to make several significant signings.
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2. Anrich Nortje – ₹6.50 crore
Reason: Recurring injury concerns
Due to injuries, South African pacer Anrich Nortje participated in only two matches and bowled in just seven overs of IPL 2025 and missed out on the majority of the tournament. Since he could not stay fit, KKR management felt it was best to bring in a more reliable, overseas option in the pacer position leading up to IPL 2026.
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3. Moeen Ali – ₹5 crore
Reason: Underperformance and team balance
English all-rounder Moeen Ali did not have the best final season of his stint with KKR, scoring just five runs and taking six wickets over six matches.With Sunil Narine and Andre Russell already providing all-rounder roles, Moeen’s role became redundant for KKR. His release allows KKR to sign a specialist batsman or frontline bowler in the new structure instead.
4. Manish Pandey – ₹75 lakh
Reason: Low strike rate and age factor
Manish Pandey, the experienced batter, made 92 runs in four games at a sub-par strike rate in his comeback to KKR at his base price.
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As the team aims to focus on youthful local players, the team decided to release Pandey as a strategic decision to give opportunities to young Indian batters.
5. Chetan Sakariya – ₹1.2 crore
Reason: Lack of game time.
Chetan Sakariya, a left-arm pacer, was mostly stuck on the bench in IPL 2025. KKR’s management aims to create a fast-bowling unit to take immediate effect to the opposition and that is the justification for letting go of Sakariya as they optimize their squad.
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