With the retention deadline approaching on November 17, KKR face some difficult calls after two disappointing seasons.
The three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders claimed their third IPL title in 2024 under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, but the franchise has struggled to sustain that level since. The team released Iyer ahead of the 2025 season and has not recaptured the same form.
However, the situation worsened further under Ajinkya Rahane, with KKR finishing eighth and seventh in the last two seasons and missing the playoffs on both occasions. Apart from the batting inconsistencies, Rahane has since announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, leaving the franchise without a confirmed captain heading into IPL 2027. The retention deadline is reported as November 17, 2026, with the mini-auction scheduled for December 16, 2026, in Goa.
Here are 3 Kolkata Knight Riders players who might not be retained:
3. Rachin Ravindra
The New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra was picked up by KKR at the IPL 2026 auction for INR 2 crore after going unsold in the first set of all-rounders. Although Ravindra is a capable left-hand bat and left-arm orthodox spinner, he did not feature in a single match throughout IPL 2026.
KKR already have Finn Allen and Tim Seifert as overseas top-order options, which limits Ravindra's path into the playing XI. His T20 batting is still considered to be developing, and with overseas slots at a premium, the franchise may look elsewhere. Shai Hope has been mentioned as a potential alternative, given his recent performances in India and his leadership credentials. Releasing Ravindra would free up INR 2 crore for use at the IPL 2027 auction.