5 Players KKR Must Release Before IPL 2026

The defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), after washout affair at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), are out of the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

They are in the sixth position in the points table with five victories in 13 group-stage encounters at a net run rate of +0.193. Kolkata, under Ajinkya Rahane, started with just three victories in the first eight group-stage fixtures of the event.

After their washout fixture against the Punjab Kings at the Eden Gardens, the Knight Riders, who were walking on a rope, gained two vital wins. However, their defeat in the last home game against the Chennai Super Kings and the Bengaluru washout broke their dream as they became the fourth side to be out of the edition.

Going into the 2026 season, KKR will look to replace a few members, who didn’t fit into their combination and went through a poor season with bat or ball.

Here are the five players KKR must release before IPL 2026

1. Spencer Johson

Left-arm Australian pacer Spencer Johnson came into the franchise with a lot of promise. However, he failed to convert the promise into performance and could pick up only one wicket in four games at an average of 133 and an economy rate of 11.73.

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KKR struggled in the pace bowling unit, and Johnson’s presence also ate a valuable overseas slot in the playing eleven, which they could have used for a different player. Kolkata decided to drop the pacer from the eleven after just four games and could earn another bowler for a lower price.

2. Ramandeep Singh

KKR retained the lower-order uncapped Indian batter, Ramandeep Singh, for a price of INR 4 crore with a lot of expectation. However, he consistently underperformed with the bat in the lower order. Ramandeep smashed just 34 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 113.33 with an average of 8.50.

He failed to offer stability to the middle order in the finishing work and also failed to build the innings. With a better domestic middle order-options available in the auction poo, KKR may release Ramandeep and get INR 4 crore.

3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz

The KKR wicket-keeper opening batter collected 74 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 139.62 with an average of 18.50. One of the reasons for the Knight Riders to do well in the last season was the opening stand between Sunil Narine and Phil Salt. But this season it hasn’t clicked.

Gurbaz has failed to provide solid starts to the side despite being a dependable opening batter. Also, he is taking an overseas slot and lacked consistency after five appearences. His strike rate inside the power play isn’t strong enough to gain momentum for the franchise.

4. Quinton de Kock

The southpaw opening batter, Quinton de Kock, collected 143 runs in seven innings of the IPL 2025 at an average of 23.83 and a strike rate of 137.50, thanks to one half-century. His unbeaten 97 runs carried them to victory against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.

Also Read: Top 10 Batsmen With Most Runs In IPL

De Kock has failed to provide stability in the opening partnership, which has worked against the KKR side this season. They may get the batter back in the squad for a lower price.

5. Moeen Ali

The England off-spin all-rounder, Moeen Ali, hasn’t contributed as the franchise expected him to. In five innings this season, he collected six wickets at an average of 22.66 and an economy rate of 8.50. However, his contribution with the bat hasn’t been great.

In place of Moeen, KKR can look to get an Indian and find the spinner back for a lower price in the mini auction.