It is only fair to say that KKR was guilty of committing far too many mistakes in the IPL 2025 campaign, and as a result, they rightly finished eight on the points table, winning only five matches and losing 7. Not only they sacked their trophy-winning skipper Shreyas Iyer from the team, but also roped in a skipper in Ajinkya Rahane, who perhaps isn’t the best in the format.
Nonetheless, it is time to move forward and look ahead at IPL 2026. For that, InsideSport takes a look at the potential KKR retention list for IPL 2026.
KKR predicted retention list for IPL 2026
Rinku Singh: Though he just scored 206 runs in 11 innings with a highest score of 38, but he has been around for a very long time. He has all the makings of a good skipper, and should take over from Rahane.
Varun Chakravarthy: There is no way he is going anywhere. In 13 matches he has 17 wickets to his name, and is their main wicket-taker.
Sunil Narine: 12 wickets in 12 matches was okay, but he offers a great deal with the bat too. He too will be retained for sure.
Andre Russell: 167 runs and 8 wickets in the season; definitely not his best season, but the value he offers is much greater.
Harshit Rana: He has somehow become one of the most trusted pacers in the line up. Didn’t have an exceptional season, but still will be retained.
No Venkatesh Iyer
Ramandeep Singh: He played a sizeable amount of matches, but didn’t have that sort of an impact. But looks set be retained.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz: With Quinton De Kock coming up with a poor season, he could be the preferred choice for keeper-batsman now.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi: He could be all set to be moved into the leadership group. The team might have some big things planned for him.
Vaibhav Arora: He had one of his best seasons and picked up 17 wickets. So he will most likely stay in the team for IPL 2026.
Rovman Powell: He could be a handy back up player for the side He hardly gets a chance, but then, experience in the line up is needed.
Quinton de Kock Could be released
Luvnith Sisodia: He comes in with a reputation. He hasn’t had a game so far, and the numbers are not great in overall T20s, but he should be retained.
Ajinkya Rahane: This is a close call. He had a good season with 390 runs, but does he offer value as a leader now? Does he offer to the team, which a 20-year-old cannot offer? He stays for now, though.
Anukul Roy: Played only one match this year, but as an all-rounder adds value to the team. If retained, won’t play much again, but when the need arises, will be an asset.
Moeen Ali: Dicey, but if plays to his full potential, can be a thorough game-changer.
Umran Malik: Did not play a single game. But now he is fit, and if he performs well in Ranji, he could be retained.
KKR IPL 2025 Squad: Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh, Venkatesh Iyer (Rs. 23.75 crore), Quinton de Kock (Rs. 3.60 crore), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Rs. 2 crore), Anrich Nortje (Rs. 6.50 crore), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (Rs. 3 crore), Vaibhav Arora (Rs. 1.80 crore), Mayank Markande (Rs. 30 lakh), Rovman Powell (Rs. 1.50 crore), Manish Pandey (Rs. 75 lakh), Spencer Johnson (Rs. 2.80 crore), Luvnith Sisodia (Rs. 30 lakh), Ajinkya Rahane (Rs. 1.50 lakh), Anukul Roy (Rs. 40 lakh), Moeen Ali (Rs. 2 crore), Umran Malik (Rs. 75 lakh).
The post Predicted KKR Retention List for IPL 2026 appeared first on Inside Sport India.
